If you continue to use digestive enzymes you might consider also using a bicarbonate. The body's own protease enzymes produced by the pancreas need an alkaline environment to work. The antacids are not really the correct way to address this issue.

I have read that the first thing to go (stop functioning) from the pancreas is the bicarbonate function. If there isn't any bicarb production then the enzymes may not work and will possibly be wasted. Now, some supplemental enzymes will need more alkaline environment than others. Animal based enzymes need to be activated by the alkaline, but vegetable based may not need the alkaline enrinonment so much, although it probably won't hurt.

Usually one indication that the pancreas is not producing sufficient enzymes is when they test blood levels and some enzymes are elevated (like amylase and maybe lipase) and some are not elevated, meaning the pancreas may be producing too much of some to compensate for lack of the protease enzyems (usually protease is lower relative the others). You might ask about have his serum enzyme levels checked. If these enzymes are out of balance then this is considered acute pancreatitis and can be a serious problem.

One bi-arb that comes in tablet form is by Vitaline, called Alka-Aid. This is the only one I know of that comes in pill form (which may say something about how neglected bicarbonate supplements are). There are some that come in powder form that you mix in water, and then there is alka-seltzer (which contains some aspirin). I think sometimes you may wait maybe a half hour after the meal is finished to take the bicarb. Sometimes even 45 minutes after the meal depending if it is a large meal. But definitely after the meal is finished to take the bicarbonate. Enzymes should be taken during the meal (or right after the meal is finished at the latest).

The bicarb is often overlooked by most doctors. And antacids are probably over precribed for issues that may need a bicarbonate instead or something else. Antacids are for too much acid production in the stomach, which is not related to the pancreas. If there is any problem with pancreatic enzymes then the bicarbonate is needed. I would think that too much acid production is not likely the cause of vomitting and diarhea; too much acid would produce indigestion, heartburn, gerd, etc.

This website explains some signs for lack of bicarbonate function.

http://www.price-pottenger.org/Artic...d_alk_bal.html

If this problem is not resolved you might still consider trying some bicarb because of how the vomitting and diarrhea can change his acid-alkaline balance.

"Some physicians, like Dr. William Philpott, feel that insufficient secretion of
pancreatic bicarbonate is a major cause of over-acidity in the body. Other
digestive problems that affect the body’s pH are diarrhea, which results in a loss of bicarbonate, and vomiting, which results in a loss of acid."

http://www.cell-nique.com/articles/Acid-Alkaline.pdf