Probiotics and Cramping

[chas-chuck]

Hello once again to all my crohns/colitis brother and sisters. I am asking for some feeback on a recent short stint on Probiotics. I have heard so much of how probiotics are beneficial to the gut/intestines. I was also recommended to take them by my GI Dr several months ago. I purchased a Probiotic called ULTIMATE FLORA CRITICAL COLON BIFIDOMAX(80 Billion). I was suggesed to purchase this probiotic over a 50 and 30 Million culture by one of the "health care" professionals working there. I did inform them of my crohn's disease status before purchasing it.
I took the pill that day and immediately noticed the following concerns:
1. Diarrhea(going 6 more times a day than before)
2. Stool became thick and pasty
3. The dreaded stomache spasms/cramps
4. Bloated feeling

After only three days of taking the Probiotic i decided to stop. I had not had any stomache cramping for almost a year before taking the probiotics.
Can any one me if they have experienced similar problems from taking Probiotics. Is there such a thing as having too many cultures. Should i have started out with a lower culture amount? I was abit skeptical as to how they can fit 80 million cultures in such a small pill. I also understand that many die before they reach the user. Any how, thanks for any information any of you are able to provide me. I must add that i just finished taking an antibiotic(cipro) prior to starting the Probiotic.

Charles

 

[Entchen]

Hi Charles: Probiotics gave me quite a lot of pain and other symptoms (as you've described) when my flare was worse than it is now. I take only very low levels - if any at all - now, just to play it safe. I don't know much about probiotics, but the reason I have tried them (just a cheap store brand that was on sale), is because my sister has severe IBS and finds that probiotics are very helpful.

 

[Connie]

Hi Charles,
I was just at a CCFA Educational seminar and I was shocked to learn this. Probiotics does not help Crohns. Studies have shown improvement with UC, but NOT Crohns.
I'll try to find the online report from the conference and post it.

 

[chas-chuck]

thanks i would be interested to know why UC and not crohns.

chas-chuck

 

[Grumbletum]

Me too, would be great if you could find that article.
Helen x

 

[RFarmer]

Me too! Me too!

 

[Swirl]

I notice bloated feelings with one type of probiotics I was taken but that came after I notice that type of probiotics stopped working for me. After a week I said I shouldn't be taking anymore if my stomach is hurting because its doing no good. Switch to something else.

 

[ChrisUK]

I'm a UC sufferer (for 25 years) and have been taking a probiotic called Symprove for well over a year, and it's been brilliant for me. As background I have to self manage my condition with steroids as I have a very bad reaction to the standard drugs (Asacol etc) and like a lot of sufferers have tried a lot of different things that are supposed to help. The probiotic is the only thing I've found so far that does actually help. Other than reducing the amount of times I have to go to the loo each day its also sorted out the worst problem that I always felt I needed to go the loo, even when I didn't. Obviously I can't comment on the Crohns side of things. Hope this helps someone.