Pancrelipase and Headaches: What Users Say

• gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2016

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I was prescribed Creon for EPI. While on this medication, I experienced very little, if any, relief from my symptoms. The side effects were horrendous - headache, hot flashes, coughing, memory issues (straining to remember words), and joint pain in my upper leg and tailbone. Within 24 hours of stopping the medication, all side effects disappeared."

• Fed...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2019

For Chronic Pancreatitis "After a gastric bypass 4 yrs ago, then followed by gall bladder removal, I was left with chronic unpredictable diarrhea, pain, bloating, and nausea. Recent tests showed I had EPI (Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and my pancreas was not producing enough, if any, enzymes. A week ago, I was prescribed Creon 10000 by the hospital. I feel so ill taking them. The pain and bloating have gone, but I am still getting diarrhea, bad nausea, a vile taste in my mouth that taints everything I eat/drink, and awful headaches. I take 2 capsules with a meal twice a day, then 1 with any snacks. I cannot eat normal meals due to the gastric bypass, so I tend to graze throughout the day every 2/3 hours. Is this normal, and will the symptoms go eventually, or will it always be like this? I am truly sick and tired of it all."

• Gri...
• April 3, 2021

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "I am 56 years old with pancreatic cancer. After 3 days of taking Creon, I thought I was going to die. Except for diarrhea, I experienced every side effect on the list. Excruciating abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, headache, etc. On a scale of 10, my pain was at 10. My husband, who is a nurse, was puzzled, and I realized that the only thing I had changed was that medication. I stopped taking it immediately, and it took me a week to recover. Not blaming anybody, but if it happens to you, stop taking it immediately and talk to your doctor."

• way...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2023

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Creon has done nothing to relieve my symptoms. I am still suffering from bloating, feeling like vomiting all day, headache, and I have lost 30 lbs in three months. I am going to ask the doctor to switch me to Zenpep. Creon has a 50% approval, whereas Zenpep is 74%, so I'm hoping it will work for me."

• 70...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2024

For Pancreatic Exocrine Dysfunction "Diagnosed with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency 2 months ago. A year and a half prior, suffered from explosive diarrhea after eating anything at all, uncontrolled for 18 months. A zillion tests showed nothing wrong. Then, a GI specialist did a stool elastase test, and then later a CT scan at my request. The scan showed some fatty pancreas but not too bad. Stool tested middle of the moderate bad range for enzyme insufficiency. I've now been taking Pancreaze for about 3 months, 75,000 units with a meal and 35,000 units with a snack. For 1 month, had all positive change. No more diarrhea. No more floating stools. No side effects except really bad breath, which my acquaintances have told me about. But now, for almost 2 months, I have headaches almost daily. Also floating stools again. Also much looser stools but not necessarily diarrhea. Extremely bad breath. About a 35% loss of energy."