Probiotics. Do you take them? Which ones work?

[chewylewy]

Hi all,

Can people please tell me what probiotics they are taking and also share experiences on how they improved your symptoms?

I want to avoid dairy if I can, so I'd like to avoid the yogurts.

Thanks in advanceoo:

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I take Healthy Trinity by Natren. I'm not sure if it helps or not.

 

[kel]

I've had good success with primal defense (the original tablet form) and align. I've tried a lot of other products but those two seem to give me a more noticeable benefit.

It seems to really vary from person to person though. I suggest you just start trying some of the more highly rated/recommended ones.

 

[UnXmas]

I read recently that yoghurt manufacturers aren't allowed to claim probiotic yoghurts are good for your digestive health any more, as there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. I'm not sure whether that applies to probiotics taken in other forms, but when I tried taking them, they did nothing for me.

 

[Grant]

I've had mixed results with VSL#3, the one I really like is Actimel. Actimel has billions less active bactaria than a sachet of VSL#3 but I do get on well with Actimel.
Also as far as I know & certainly VSL#3 you cannot have hot drinks in or around the time you take them.
Rgds
Grant

 

[Trevor]

I didn't do well on VSL#3 and if I remember correctly pretty much all the studies that showed it worked were on colitis patients, not Crohn's.

I take a capsule from a local naturopath now that has about a dozen different strains as well as inulin (prebiotic) and it seems to do the trick.

 

[Jennifer]

I take Trader Joe's brand Acidophilus. That's what my GI recommended anyway. I haven't noticed it do anything yet I'm also in remission and don't deal with any of the symptoms I used to have. On the back it says that it contains milk. I'm lactose intolerant and haven't it notice it triggering a response but if its something you're trying to avoid entirely then you'll have to check the labels before trying one.

 

[chewylewy]

Thanks for the replies all.

I tried taking acidiphilus capsules and it appears to have give me D and some bloating after a couple of days taking it. I'm assuming that's because my system is getting used to it and forcing all of the bad bacteria out. If it carries on after a week ill try another brand.

Will start by giving that Primal Defence a go and take it from there. It's like £42 here though (GBP). But I don't care if its worth it

 

[kel]

Some people say they have increased gastro symptoms the first week or so of taking a new probiotic. Personally I've never experienced it, but if it persists I say just move on.

 

[BayAreaChronie]

Goodbelly Bigshot. Havent noticed any change though.

 

[prettykitty]

I take Flora-Udo's Choice-Super Bifido Plus, and I drink kefir (homemade). The Flora is good, but pretty expensive (>$40 for 30 capsules). I only use it when my gas gets ultra-stinky! I take it until I finish off the bottle, which usually gets me back to a normal level of stinkiness. But I continue to drink kefir every day.

 

[wild_one353]

id say, pointless tried them all. the best vsl#3, unreliable product even.

 

[The Real MC]

Greek Yogurt calms my system, my surgeon (Crohns expert) recommended it. I prefer Chobanis.

 

[Crohnsblogger]

I take acidophilus, anywhere from 6 million to 20 million active probiotics. I do still eat cheese and drink milk, but I found that during a flare up, the acidophilus acted similar to prednisone and didn't have to continue taking prednisone

Hope that helps. I've tried several different brands and haven't notice a ton of differences, except the amount of probiotics you get in each capsule.


- post made via iPhone
- Lindsay Percy

 

[chewylewy]

Sorry for the massively late reply. The acidophilus ended up doing the trick, and I'm still on it to this day.

 

[Grant]

I stopped taking the VSL#3 a year ago, it was causing chaos in my belly & I was getting late night diarrhea with it.
Grant

 

[M West]

Make my own yogurt 1/2 gallon at a time.

Mix with fruit or honey.

Calms my digestive tract.

Miles

 

[chewylewy]

I don't really have yogurt anymore. I guess I'm almost vegan these days. It's helped my crohns massively.

 

[nikimazur]

I have taken everything from generic CVS brand probiotics to VSL#3. Did not notice ny change whatsoever, and to me it wasn't worth the cost.

 

[SupportiveMom]

Has anyone watched Dr. Phil Sherman's talk last year about the research of role of probiotics with pediatrics & IBD? SickKids IBD Centre - 6th Annual Family Evening: …: http://youtu.be/Su74Ct2_V7g Might want to watch Nicola's talk about the research too.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I have done many probiotics but interestingly enough I never tried florastor or Culturelle. Today that changes because I figured what the hell I'll drop a few more bucks just to find out these don't help either lol.

 

[SupportiveMom]

But we do keep hoping and wishing and praying... I'm right there with you. Bought my 1st bottle for D when she started all the antibiotics. Florastor is what the doc recomends, and only during the time of taking antibiotics. Funny because the GP says they are the best thing ever.