Learn about living with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), managing maldigestion symptoms, and finding ways to lower the high cost of Creon prescriptions.

The goal isn't to avoid fat; it’s to manage it. You’re eating the nutrients, but without the right enzymes, they’re just 'touring' your system rather than staying to help.
Today I was diagnosed exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I was prescribed creon which will cost $1500 a month. I need an overview of this disease and any and all information about living with. Other than this urgent, need to use the bathroom immediately after eating and the lack of many vital vitamins and nutrients in my lab reports my actual stomach and intestines are in very good shape. Bonus: any tips in acquiring the medication’s that I need at a reduced cost would be very helpful 








Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, or EPI, is a condition where the pancreas fails to produce or deliver enough enzymes to break down food. While the stomach and intestines may be healthy, the lack of these enzymes leads to maldigestion. This means the body cannot properly unlock and absorb nutrients, often resulting in urgent digestive issues and low vitamin levels as food passes through the system too quickly.
In patients with EPI, the pancreas's internal "delivery service" for enzymes is compromised. Because food isn't being broken down correctly, it arrives in the intestines in a state where it cannot be absorbed. This leads to maldigestion, causing immediate urgency to use the bathroom after meals. Vital vitamins and nutrients are lost during this process because they are literally slipping through the system without being absorbed.
The cost of pancreatic enzymes like Creon can be a significant burden, sometimes reaching fifteen hundred dollars a month. However, there are specific pathways and resources available to help bring these prescription drug costs down. Managing EPI effectively requires balancing the need for these vital enzymes with financial strategies to ensure the treatment remains accessible for those dealing with maldigestion and nutrient absorption issues.
Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt
