Hi, I'm new to the forum and have a question. My daughter was having loose stools for about 2 years. When I realized this I gave her homemade Kefir from Kefir grains for 3 days. On day 4, she had a 104 degree fever. She went from one BM to 3-4 BM's per day thereafter and continued having fevers every other week. Mind you, she never had fevers before. To get to the point, she was diagnosed with Crohns disease thereafter. She had ulcers in her large and small intestine. I know that the Kefir triggered her flare without a doubt. After Flagyl, 6MP and a liquid diet (Elecare Jr.), she is much better. As of this time, she is only on 6MP and in remission. Her gastroenterologist wants her to take Align, probiotic. I am deathly afraid to give her any probiotic. I read in an NIH article online, "Setting aside the question of probiotic effectiveness however, is their use absolutely safe? In CD, antigenic stimuli contribute towards maintaining gut inflammation, and any bacteria can become a stimulus." Which I interpret to mean that any bacteria, good or bad, can be thought of by the body as an intruder and cause an inflammatory response....probiotics included. I'm conflicted as to whether I should give my daughter (18 yrs.) Align or any other probiotic.
My question is, has anyone taken a probiotic and thought that it caused a Crohns flare....or...has anyone taken a probiotic and feel that it helped them with Crohns and if so, how can you be sure it's the probiotic and not your other medication? Thank you anyone for your advice. I'm so afraid that if I give my daughter a probiotic, it will trigger another flare.
My question is, has anyone taken a probiotic and thought that it caused a Crohns flare....or...has anyone taken a probiotic and feel that it helped them with Crohns and if so, how can you be sure it's the probiotic and not your other medication? Thank you anyone for your advice. I'm so afraid that if I give my daughter a probiotic, it will trigger another flare.