Creon Digestive Enzymes

[marthamom]

Hi,

I was diagnosed through positive blood test and positive biopsy 9 months ago. I'm still not where I want to be in terms of my symptoms even after having been gluten free for 9 months, so my GI just prescribed Creon (digestive enzymes). I read that they are normally prescribed for people with pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, and I'm wondering if anyone else with celiac has been prescribed Creon, whether you have had any significant side effects, what dosage you're on, etc.

I'm always a little skittish about starting a new medication and worry about side effects....any personal experiences would be very reassuring. I read that Creon is derived from pigs' pancreases, and that there is a "theoretical" risk of viral transmission to humans.........particularly with the whole swine flu thing, that just makes me a little nervous (I'm sure I'm overthinking it....)

Thanks for any thoughts/experiences!

[NYCCeliacMom]

Hi,

I was diagnosed through positive blood test and positive biopsy 9 months ago. I'm still not where I want to be in terms of my symptoms even after having been gluten free for 9 months, so my GI just prescribed Creon (digestive enzymes). I read that they are normally prescribed for people with pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis, and I'm wondering if anyone else with celiac has been prescribed Creon, whether you have had any significant side effects, what dosage you're on, etc.

I'm always a little skittish about starting a new medication and worry about side effects....any personal experiences would be very reassuring. I read that Creon is derived from pigs' pancreases, and that there is a "theoretical" risk of viral transmission to humans.........particularly with the whole swine flu thing, that just makes me a little nervous (I'm sure I'm overthinking it....)

Thanks for any thoughts/experiences!

My daughter's GI prescribed Creon for her and they did seem to help. She took them for about 2 months about 3 months after her diagnosis. She was having a lot of reflux at the time and it took a while to get everything under control. I had the impression from the dr that taking digestive enzymes is a short term thing for celiacs, and that they can be helpful. BTW, I bought some digestive enzymes made by Rainbow right when my daughter was first diagnosed. They are labeled wheat free but it turns out they contain gluten. I just checked recently and am happy to say she didn't use them. Recently I have had two instances of checking vitamins that were already purchased and finding out they had gluten. One was Vitamin Shoppe, no wheat on label, told by a clerk that they were gluten-free but I checked anyway. The first person said, well, gluten isn't listed so they are gluten free, which was not reassuring. He put me through to the chemist and they do, indeed, contain gluten...

[marthamom]

My daughter's GI prescribed Creon for her and they did seem to help. She took them for about 2 months about 3 months after her diagnosis. She was having a lot of reflux at the time and it took a while to get everything under control. I had the impression from the dr that taking digestive enzymes is a short term thing for celiacs, and that they can be helpful. BTW, I bought some digestive enzymes made by Rainbow right when my daughter was first diagnosed. They are labeled wheat free but it turns out they contain gluten. I just checked recently and am happy to say she didn't use them. Recently I have had two instances of checking vitamins that were already purchased and finding out they had gluten. One was Vitamin Shoppe, no wheat on label, told by a clerk that they were gluten-free but I checked anyway. The first person said, well, gluten isn't listed so they are gluten free, which was not reassuring. He put me through to the chemist and they do, indeed, contain gluten...

THanks so much for thre reply--I hope your daughter is feeling better. I've been on them for about 5 days now, and I seem to be feeling a little better, but it may just be wishful thinking.....we'll see! Thanks also for the info about the enzymes that turned out to contain gluten---it's hidden in so many places!