I think our cases must be really similar because I can relate to just about everything you post on here!!!!! So my elastase was also normal. and the output of enzymes from my pancreas was definitively checked during my ERCP. All of these studies came back normal!!! to look at and smell the kind of BM I was having, I would have SWORN I had steat. We do know I have CP from imaging studies and from my pain levels....just no real signs of malabsorption. So originally I was not put on Creon...but after many painful months, my GI doc just said "what the hell" and started me on it. It has made more of a difference than anything I have tried!!!

I think it just gives my pancreas a break as far as getting this bulk of food that I need to break down. Also, IMHO the fecal tests they make us take to detect the steat. do not take into acount the lack of fat in our diet. The parameters for the results of the tests were set up for people who eat a normal amount of fat...not us CPers. I had a 48hr fecal test and had to eat 100g of fat a day to even make it valid. It about killed me! My digestive tract basically shut down for 2 days then kicked back on at warp speed if you know what I mean. So Im pretty sure that test wasnt too accurate either.

For all of my other fecal testing, I was not told to increase fat intake. This means I was hanging around about 10grams or less a day at the time. For some of us who are early in the disease and still have pancreatic function at a pretty decent level, I think the steat. only really comes into play if we ate a normal amount of fat. I think the Creon just helps make things either on the ol' pancreas.

*I mean makes things EASIER on the ol' pancreas! TMI: I was also having about 4-5 "movements" day and they were YELLOW when I first started getting sick

But isnt the elastaste a test thats NOT based on fat? I havent done the 100 gram fat test yet, too scared too! Everything I read says STEAT happens when 90% of the pancreas stops producing enzymes, but I just dont buy that. I clearly had steat, and seeing as my elastaste and ALL 7 EUS are perfectly normal I feel like steat can happen early in the disease.

It was odd that I was totally normal for 16 days while off creon, and the creon did take some time to "work" again, but now Ive increased and if anything Im having the opposite of steat which is fine by me!!!

Cowgirl, how many markers showed on your EUS, and how long have you been early stage/minimal change?

Ive progressed a lot (symptom wise) the past 2 yrs, pretty dramatically-scares me...

Wow so this is suuuuuper late Sesser!!!! I found this because I was looking for discussions on elastase. My elastase is now low (172) indicating mild to moderate exocrine insufficiency. two years ago I was in the 300s....

I'd say I have been early stage/minimal change for 5 years at this point, with the last two years being filled with symptoms getting progressively worse....Yeah it is VERY scary....Hang in there!

Did you ever have a pancreas function test during any of your scopes where they measures the bicarbonate? Mine was borderlineits supposed to be the best tool for evaluating the function.

Am I reading correctly that your elastase went from normal to abnormal in a years time?

Sesser, can you comment on how much Creon you were prescribed. My doc put me on 8000 units of Lipase per meal. Seems low but I'm no doctor. What did you get prescribed?

According to the Creon dosing chart, it looks like I was prescribed enough for a 20lb child.

http://www.creon.com/NonCFHCP/DosingGuide