CancerCompass message board discussion started by Eriko on 4/3/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22650,0.htm Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi there, I'm a 34 yr old female, had a whipple procedure done 4 1/2 weeks ago.  I am at home recovering slowly. I have 2 questions:  My first question is about enzymes.  After reading a number of messages on this board, I noticed that a number of you are taking digestive enzymes during or before meals.  I'm not taking any medications other than Ranitidine (Zantac) twice a day.  What do the enzyme medications do?  My second question is when is it a good time to to back to work?  I'm a school teacher and my job can be stressful at times.  There are 3 months of school left.  Should I wait and go back in September full time?  Or gradually work full time (work half days at first) in September?  Or should I go to work in June?  I am still unable to drive, but I'm walking around more, eating more and getting my energy back.  What do you think?Eriko      Eriko Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Enzymes are prescribed to help the body digest fats in foods, which are needed for good health and nutrition.  One of the "many" things the pancreas does is produce digestive enzymes.  Usually your oncologist or surgeon would prescribe digestive enzymes because you are safer getting prescription enzymes..one name is Creon, but there are several names.  If your body isn't digesting the fat, you will probably have problems with gas, boating, diarrhea, etc....you may also have "floating stools" or notice a greasy coating inside your toilet bowl.  That is the grease/fat that has not been digested and is just passing out of your body.   Some fats, MCT fats (multi-chain trigylcerides), do not require these enzymes because they are already broken down in a way that your body can use them.  Fish Oil, olive oil, are a couple of examples of MCT, but most fats will need to be digested and generally with pancreatic cancer and the Whipple you will need enzymes.  I would definitely ask your doctor why he isn't prescribing enzymes for you.  As far as going back to work,  if you think you can manage it and your doctor says it's okay, then I don't see why not.  Most people would not be going back this soon though because they won't feel strong enough yet.  I think this is something you need to discuss with your doctor though.Try this website for more info and help.  It's a lot more active and you'll get more answers to your questions. http://pathology.jhu.edu/pancreas_chat/    dmc1944 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi - glad you are feeling well after your Whipple Procedure. I had mine done August 9th, 2006........I've been on enzymes (plaratase) ever since and once you figure out how many to take for whatever it is you ate, they work great. My oncologist also told me to take  an herbal supplement, Bromelain, which is a pinapple extratc that breaks down protein. Gas and diarreaha seem to be on ongoing thing, somedays great, somedays not so great.I'm still on chemo and feel ok. Just get tired alot.....Good bless and a speedy recovery to you........     mrtippy Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Eriko,I'm a 46 year old male who had a whipple operation about 8 weeks ago.  I'm only taking pain pills and some pills for nausea when needed.  My doctor did not prescribe any enzymes.  My feeling is that if you are digesting your food okay, they are probably not needed.In regards to going back to work, I am self-employed and forced myself back to work after 4 weeks (need the income stream).  I would not recommend this.  I find that even if I feel good in the morning by the end of the day I am physically drained and it usually carries over to the next day.  If you can take the time off, wait until the next school year, build up your strength and get better first and then worry about work.John  johnd461 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT First,  go back to work next Fall.  Why rush it?   If you're bloated or have a lot of gas,  teaching might be tough to do right off the bat.  This symptoms will get better. As a 33 year old male who had a total pancreatomy last October,  I pushed myself back to work....big mistake!  What's the rush?If you really care about your students,  which I am sure you do...wait until the fall!   You won't be able to do your best until then.  Who wants to be bloated at the chalk board.  Plus an urgent need to run to the can in is no fun for anyone, especially for a teacher.As for enzymes, I take Pangestyme.  I go through a bottle of 100 pills in about 2 and a half days. (No, I'm not pigging out,  I really watch what I eat, it's just that the acid in my stomach kills the enzymes before they do their work, so I also take Nexium at night before I go to bed.)Things will get better!  Just my two cents!  Ping-Pong Ball Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT