Anyone Taking Digestive Enzymes?

[Tigercat17]

Hi, I'm new at this. I'm not sure if I have a celiac disease or not. I had an endoscopy done Friday & I won't know the results until next week, but they do suppect I may have a wheat gluten sensitivity. I'm sure this is a dumb question, but is that the same as celiac diease & having gluten sensitivity?

Also, I wondered if anyone tried digestive enzymes to relieve stomach symptoms? I'm really having a hard time eating. It seems like I'm full after two bits of food & then I can only eat half of my meals. I'm lossing weight & I'm only 100 lbs at 5'1". I can't afford to lose anymore weight. And my stomach feels upset & so tender. I'm afraid to move around after I eat. I just feel this horrible fullness all of the time.

I've been taking Prilosec also for the last 6 weeks. At 40mg twice a day. It's a really high dose. I wasn't having these sypmtom until about a week ago. I wonder if I just don't have any acid in my stomach & my food isn't digesting. I wish I never started taking them!

Someone told me digestive enzymes might help me? I have to say I'm a little weary about taking all of this medicine. I just don't want to do more damage to myself. I'm wondering if orange juice might help? Foods taht are acidy? I think I'm stopping the Prilosec today. I really think this is causing my problems.

Has anyone had anything simialr happen to them? Your help would be so much appreciated! Thank-you!

[mushroom]

Hi, I'm new at this. I'm not sure if I have a celiac disease or not. I had an endoscopy done Friday & I won't know the results until next week, but they do suppect I may have a wheat gluten sensitivity. I'm sure this is a dumb question, but is that the same as celiac diease & having gluten sensitivity?

Also, I wondered if anyone tried digestive enzymes to relieve stomach symptoms? I'm really having a hard time eating. It seems like I'm full after two bits of food & then I can only eat half of my meals. I'm lossing weight & I'm only 100 lbs at 5'1". I can't afford to lose anymore weight. And my stomach feels upset & so tender. I'm afraid to move around after I eat. I just feel this horrible fullness all of the time.

I've been taking Prilosec also for the last 6 weeks. At 40mg twice a day. It's a really high dose. I wasn't having these sypmtom until about a week ago. I wonder if I just don't have any acid in my stomach & my food isn't digesting. I wish I never started taking them!

Someone told me digestive enzymes might help me? I have to say I'm a little weary about taking all of this medicine. I just don't want to do more damage to myself. I'm wondering if orange juice might help? Foods taht are acidy? I think I'm stopping the Prilosec today. I really think this is causing my problems.

Has anyone had anything simialr happen to them? Your help would be so much appreciated! Thank-you!

Sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly. Are you still eating gluten? That's the way I used to feel when I was glutened. I was taking a medication that had to be taken with food but could barely get down enough food to enable me to take the medication. And it was the medication that was glutening me. What a vicious circle.

Have you had acid reflux, that you are taking the Prilosec?

Digestive enzymes have helped me a lot in the past. I used to think I didn't have enough stomach acid, but in reality tests showed that my pancreas was not producing enough enzymes, and I took the enzymes for over six months. They made a huge difference to me.

You will be glad to get your results; don't forget that even if they are not positive you could still have a false negative result, so it is not conclusive and if you have trouble wlith gluten or think you do you should still eliminate it and see what happens.

[Tigercat17]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly. Are you still eating gluten? That's the way I used to feel when I was glutened. I was taking a medication that had to be taken with food but could barely get down enough food to enable me to take the medication. And it was the medication that was glutening me. What a vicious circle.

Have you had acid reflux, that you are taking the Prilosec?

Digestive enzymes have helped me a lot in the past. I used to think I didn't have enough stomach acid, but in reality tests showed that my pancreas was not producing enough enzymes, and I took the enzymes for over six months. They made a huge difference to me.

You will be glad to get your results; don't forget that even if they are not positive you could still have a false negative result, so it is not conclusive and if you have trouble wlith gluten or think you do you should still eliminate it and see what happens.

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me!

I've been avoiding bread and pasta for the last two days. I did have some Total cearl & Cherrios yesterday. I couldn't even eat a whole bowl. Which is very not like me. I wasn't sure if I should eat them or not. But, I haven't had any burning in my throat in the last few days. Which is good. My throat still hurts, but it doesn't burn. My main concern right now is my stomach & not being able to eat.

The docs weren't sure if I have acid reflux or not. It all started in July with an upper respiratory infection. My throat hurt so bad for a month. I couldn't even talk the whole month of July. One ENT told me she thought it was post viral nueropathy. Then another ENT asked me if I could try Prilosec? Eventhough my throat wasn't red he thought it was LPR. So, I did. At least I can talk now, but like I said my throat still hurts. I was alos on Medol (steriod) for 3 weeks. I was losing weight being on that ,too. I have been feeling some burning in my throat occ. So, I never been properly diagnoised. My endosocopy did find a hiatal hernia, too.

Do you think there's gluten in the Prilosec? That would make a lot of sense. I swear everytime I took it I felt burning in my throat. I'm not sure if that was it or not.

And I really can't wait to get my results from the EGD! That way I'll know for sure it that's what's causing a lot of my problems & get started to feeling better!

Thanks for your help!

[burdee]

Hi, I'm new at this. I'm not sure if I have a celiac disease or not. I had an endoscopy done Friday & I won't know the results until next week, but they do suppect I may have a wheat gluten sensitivity. I'm sure this is a dumb question, but is that the same as celiac diease & having gluten sensitivity?

Also, I wondered if anyone tried digestive enzymes to relieve stomach symptoms? I'm really having a hard time eating. It seems like I'm full after two bits of food & then I can only eat half of my meals. I'm lossing weight & I'm only 100 lbs at 5'1". I can't afford to lose anymore weight. And my stomach feels upset & so tender. I'm afraid to move around after I eat. I just feel this horrible fullness all of the time.

I've been taking Prilosec also for the last 6 weeks. At 40mg twice a day. It's a really high dose. I wasn't having these sypmtom until about a week ago. I wonder if I just don't have any acid in my stomach & my food isn't digesting. I wish I never started taking them!

Someone told me digestive enzymes might help me? I have to say I'm a little weary about taking all of this medicine. I just don't want to do more damage to myself. I'm wondering if orange juice might help? Foods taht are acidy? I think I'm stopping the Prilosec today. I really think this is causing my problems.

Has anyone had anything simialr happen to them? Your help would be so much appreciated! Thank-you!

Read "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" by Jonathon Wright, MD. After too many years of taking acid blockers (Zantac, Tagamet, Mylanta) prescribed for 'gastritis' which was really celiac disease related indigestion, I felt overly full after eating small amounts, I easily refluxed and I noticed food stayed in my stomach for HOURS. I was also frequently constipated. I suspect I would have been diagnosed with 'gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)' if I would have seen a mainstream doc.

Abstaining from acid blockers and eating smaller meals helped my digestion somewhat. Taking digestive enzymes also improved my digestion somewhat. However, after I read Dr. Wright's book and talked to a celiac friend who had seen Dr. Wright for digestive problems, I decided to try taking HCl capsules. I had all the symptoms of too LITTLE stomach acid, not too much. The docs who prescribed the acid blockers NEVER tested me for stomach acid levels. They just assumed I had too much, because I refluxed. Actually certain foods can relax the lower esophageal valve which allows foods to reflux. Avoiding those foods (chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, tomato and citrus based foods) helped me have less reflux. However taking betaine hydrochloride improved my digestion so much that I no longer feel overly full after eating proteins or fats. Even when I overeat, that full feeling disappears within an hour or so. Best of all, I had less irregularity.

Even though acid blockers suppress the symptoms of reflux, they don't address the cause. Worse yet, they can allow bacteria to pass from the stomach into the intestines and cause overgrowth or infections, because normal levels of stomach acid kills food born bacteria. I struggled with numerous bacterial overgrowth episodes before I starting taking HCl capsules to increase my stomach acid levels. Those acid levels are often lower in older people. (I'm 62.) I don't know whether that happens after years of taking acid blockers (as I did) or just natural aging. However, taking HCl relieved my 'gastroparesis' symptoms so that my digestion improved.

SUE

[Tigercat17]

Read "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" by Jonathon Wright, MD. After too many years of taking acid blockers (Zantac, Tagamet, Mylanta) prescribed for 'gastritis' which was really celiac disease related indigestion, I felt overly full after eating small amounts, I easily refluxed and I noticed food stayed in my stomach for HOURS. I was also frequently constipated. I suspect I would have been diagnosed with 'gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)' if I would have seen a mainstream doc.

Abstaining from acid blockers and eating smaller meals helped my digestion somewhat. Taking digestive enzymes also improved my digestion somewhat. However, after I read Dr. Wright's book and talked to a celiac friend who had seen Dr. Wright for digestive problems, I decided to try taking HCl capsules. I had all the symptoms of too LITTLE stomach acid, not too much. The docs who prescribed the acid blockers NEVER tested me for stomach acid levels. They just assumed I had too much, because I refluxed. Actually certain foods can relax the lower esophageal valve which allows foods to reflux. Avoiding those foods (chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, tomato and citrus based foods) helped me have less reflux. However taking betaine hydrochloride improved my digestion so much that I no longer feel overly full after eating proteins or fats. Even when I overeat, that full feeling disappears within an hour or so. Best of all, I had less irregularity.

Even though acid blockers suppress the symptoms of reflux, they don't address the cause. Worse yet, they can allow bacteria to pass from the stomach into the intestines and cause overgrowth or infections, because normal levels of stomach acid kills food born bacteria. I struggled with numerous bacterial overgrowth episodes before I starting taking HCl capsules to increase my stomach acid levels. Those acid levels are often lower in older people. (I'm 62.) I don't know whether that happens after years of taking acid blockers (as I did) or just natural aging. However, taking HCl relieved my 'gastroparesis' symptoms so that my digestion improved.

SUE

Wow! You sound so much like me! I'm speechless! And so grateful that I found you & this forum. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm sorry you had so many problems. I can relate. I too, feel like food is just sitting in my stomach for Hours. it's hard for me to eat cause my stomach feels full all the time. I never felt like this before. I've only been on the Prilosec for 6 weeks, but at a large dose - 40 mg twice a day, so I'm wondering if my body will recover form this. I'm only 38. I just over came thyriod cancer last year (I had Hasimoto for 8 years pior) & I take good care of myself. I also have enlarged lymph nodes in my abominal area for the last 8 years. The doctors been watching them closely. But, now I'm wondering if I really do have Celiac. It would make so much sense. I really don't look sick - just skinny most of the time, but now I way too thin.

When I asked my GI doc if the fullness feeling I've been having all the time was becuase of the Prilose he just looked at me like I was crazy & said No.

I was never tested for stomach or acid reflux for that matter. They just said what to try them for your throat pain since I wasn't able to talk.

Did you take the HCI on your own? I did do some reach about them & I thought I needed a prescription?

I am taking AbsorbAid (digestive enzyme) since last night. And I'm tring to eat more raw food like fruits.

I tried to do some reach on the AbsorbAid to make sure it was safe, but I couldn't find anything? Do you know how safe digestive enzymes are? Have you had any problems with them? I don't want to become depend on them either (like the Prilosec). Makes me worried....epesically since my doctor told me to wait til I got my results to do anything. But, I feel horrible & I can't afford to lose anymore weight. I used to have so much trust in my doctors. Now I'm not too sure. When I asked him about the AbsordAid, he acted like he never heard of it? I just don't want to do any damage to myself. I just want to get better.

Thanks so much for your help. I've been feeling so anxious about all of this & it's not making my stomach feel any better.

[burdee]

Wow! You sound so much like me! I'm speechless! And so grateful that I found you & this forum. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I'm sorry you had so many problems. I can relate. I too, feel like food is just sitting in my stomach for Hours. it's hard for me to eat cause my stomach feels full all the time. I never felt like this before. I've only been on the Prilosec for 6 weeks, but at a large dose - 40 mg twice a day, so I'm wondering if my body will recover form this. I'm only 38. I just over came thyriod cancer last year (I had Hasimoto for 8 years pior) & I take good care of myself. I also have enlarged lymph nodes in my abominal area for the last 8 years. The doctors been watching them closely. But, now I'm wondering if I really do have Celiac. It would make so much sense. I really don't look sick - just skinny most of the time, but now I way too thin.

When I asked my GI doc if the fullness feeling I've been having all the time was becuase of the Prilose he just looked at me like I was crazy & said No.

I was never tested for stomach or acid reflux for that matter. They just said what to try them for your throat pain since I wasn't able to talk.

Did you take the HCI on your own? I did do some reach about them & I thought I needed a prescription?

I am taking AbsorbAid (digestive enzyme) since last night. And I'm tring to eat more raw food like fruits.

I tried to do some reach on the AbsorbAid to make sure it was safe, but I couldn't find anything? Do you know how safe digestive enzymes are? Have you had any problems with them? I don't want to become depend on them either (like the Prilosec). Makes me worried....epesically since my doctor told me to wait til I got my results to do anything. But, I feel horrible & I can't afford to lose anymore weight. I used to have so much trust in my doctors. Now I'm not too sure. When I asked him about the AbsordAid, he acted like he never heard of it? I just don't want to do any damage to myself. I just want to get better.

Thanks so much for your help. I've been feeling so anxious about all of this & it's not making my stomach feel any better.

First of all, stop taking the Prilosec. If you get reflux, just drink cool water to dilute the acid and wash it back down. Avoid foods that weaken the lower esophageal valve like alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, onions, tomato and citrus based foods.

Then get tested for celiac disease, which often causes digestive problems. Celiac damaged intestines don't process food well, which slows the digestive process. If you want a mainstream doc to test you for celiac disease, you will need to keep eating gluten for the blood test and possibly endoscopy. If you are not currently eating gluten and don't want to resume eating gluten, consider Enterolab (Open Original Shared Link) which diagnoses gluten intolerance with stool tests and the celiac gene with mouth swab tests. I used E-lab for celiac disease and dairy intolerance diagnoses. My doc accepted their lab results.

READ the ingredients on your digestive enzyme. Many contain 'malt diastase' which is from barley, a source of gluten. If you take an enzyme with gluten, you will perpetuate gluten induced digestive problems. If you eliminate gluten, a gluten free digestive enzyme may be enough. However, if you still have digestive problems you might consider replenishing your stomach acid.

In "Stomach Acid is Good For You", Dr. Wright suggests testing for low stomach acid by drinking a tablespoon of appe cider vinegar diluted with a little water before a meal. If that improves your digestion, you may have low stomach acid. He describes other tests. So you may want to read his book. If the vinegar test suggests you have low stomach acid, you may consider taking betaine hydrochloride capsules.

I buy HCl at Super Supplements, but I can also get them at Whole Foods Nutritional Supplements section. Use an HCl product which includes pepsin which digests proteins and triggers biochemical processes to digest fats. If you decide to try HCl, please avoid foods that exacerbate reflux, because you can reflux even more acid with HCl. Also start with one capsule before meals which contain protein and fats. Slowly add more capsules per meal until you have normal digestion. At your weight and height, you may not need any more than maximum 3 with a high protein meal. I'm 5'5" and 100-105#. I need 4 capsules with high protein meals and only 3 capsules with more vegan meals (which contain fats). I slowly worked up to this amount over the past 2 years. (My 6'4" celiac friend needed about 6 capsules with every meal.) You will need to experiment with amounts for you.

Feel free to pm me if you have other questions.

SUE

[Mrs. Smith]

I take enzymes pretty regularly and they seem to help. I want to point out though, that if you have ulcers or mucosal damage in your dudenum, Prilosec can be very effective in healing them. If the acid keeps damaging it can be a vicious cycle. I have taken it a few times and it has healed my celiac induced ulcers, along with a strict diet, of course. I digest normally when taking these, too. It just stops the burning and helps me eat. Without it I could only eat white rice. If you have too much acid or the acid is causing damage it can be a lifesaver. A gluten free diet for more than 2 years is supposed to heal the gut, so Im hoping for that. Its been 9 months for me and I still get these symptoms when glutened for weeks on end. Hang in there and keep on those Dr.s!

[Tigercat17]

I take enzymes pretty regularly and they seem to help. I want to point out though, that if you have ulcers or mucosal damage in your dudenum, Prilosec can be very effective in healing them. If the acid keeps damaging it can be a vicious cycle. I have taken it a few times and it has healed my celiac induced ulcers, along with a strict diet, of course. I digest normally when taking these, too. It just stops the burning and helps me eat. Without it I could only eat white rice. If you have too much acid or the acid is causing damage it can be a lifesaver. A gluten free diet for more than 2 years is supposed to heal the gut, so Im hoping for that. Its been 9 months for me and I still get these symptoms when glutened for weeks on end. Hang in there and keep on those Dr.s!

Hi there, thanks for your advice.

I did have an endoscopy done Friday. I'm stiil waiting for the results, but I do have the report. The doctor states that there was "diffuse moderately scalloped muscosa found in the entire duodenum" Do you think that means that the mucosa is damaged?

I'm trying to avoid wheat gluten right now just to see if I gets better. I really don't know what I'm doing. I was feeling a little better until I took the Prilosec again tonight. Now my stomach just hurts...I feel like I'm being poised. i'm going to call my GI doctor tomorrow & ask him if I should get off the Prilosec. He did tell me Friday to wait until the tests came back. But, I'm just feeling worse.

Thanks!

[OptimisticMom42]

You used the term wheat gluten twice. You'll have to do some reading. It's wheat, rye, oats, barley and any of the crazy names they go by like natural flavoring. It would be best if for awhile you only ate freshly cooked unseasoned meats (you have to replace all your seasonings), fresh veggies and fresh fruits. Once you are feeling better you can add more foods to your diet. Read, Read, Read...... we are here for you.

Hope this helps

RA

[Mrs. Smith]

Hi there, thanks for your advice.

I did have an endoscopy done Friday. I'm stiil waiting for the results, but I do have the report. The doctor states that there was "diffuse moderately scalloped muscosa found in the entire duodenum" Do you think that means that the mucosa is damaged?

I'm trying to avoid wheat gluten right now just to see if I gets better. I really don't know what I'm doing. I was feeling a little better until I took the Prilosec again tonight. Now my stomach just hurts...I feel like I'm being poised. i'm going to call my GI doctor tomorrow & ask him if I should get off the Prilosec. He did tell me Friday to wait until the tests came back. But, I'm just feeling worse.

Thanks!

Im not sure what that medical term means, but sounds like it might mean some damage. I hope the Dr finds some kind of answer. Maybe you cant take Prilosec? It helped me so much and I never had any side effects from it. If I took apple cider vinegar, I would be in so much pain and Im sorry but a glass of cool water does NOT work for me. I have heartburn because of celiac induced ulcers and damage to my small intestine, so stomach acid actually is not good if they are flaring. Keeping the acid levels down helps them to heal. It is hard, I know, I was sick for years and 8mos into gluten-free diet I finally feel normal again.