Probiotics

[sarahsoda29]

I'm currently taking the Phillps Colon Health Probiotic pill...1 a day. I was just recently put back on Prednisone, and am waiting on my bloodwork to come back so the GI can determine the dosage of 6MP he's going to put me on. My question....what is your take on Probiotics? I know they aren't proven to help Crohn's but do you think it actually helps to take them, or am I wasting my time buying them? Are they all really different, or is the Phillips one pretty good to take? Also, a while back I tried acupunture for the Crohns (didn't do anything for me), and she told me that while I'm on the Prednisone I should actually be taking 2 of the Probiotics a day. Opinions????

 

[2thFairy]

Probiotics can be very beneficial as long as the one you are taking has a large number of live bacteria. VSL#3 is the one most recommended by GI doctors in the US for patients with IBD. It is expensive and by prescription. The manufacturer claims it has 112.5 billion live bacteria in each dose.

The best thing you can do is tell your GI you are interested in probiotics and see which one they recommend. There are several over-the-counter probiotics and I know some of them do not have a significant enough amount of bacteria to help people with IBD, but you will need to do research on the different brands and see what the bacteria count is on each one.

Your GI may be able to give you a discount card or free samples to try of a prescription probiotic.

 

[bangarang]

Best probiotics is to make your own water kefir or kombucha. Very simple, cheap and more potent than anything you can find in the stores. Theres videos on youtube you can watch the process. If you don't want to go that route I think some doctors can prescribe vsl#3 which is probably the best store probiotic out there.

 

[hayesc]

I am also taking 6mp, and was considering taking a probiotic..
have you noticed any change? I was hoping it would help with overall fatigue.

 

[D Bergy]

There is one rather obscure problem that can occur if you have short bowel syndrome and take a lot of probiotics. It is called D-lactic acidosis.

If you have had a lot of your small intestine removed, it might be a good idea to use a probiotic that is d lactate free.

Here is some info on it.

http://www.hkjpaed.org/pdf/2006;11;246-254.pdf

Dan

 

[Ihurt]

I take a probiotic called 50 billion by renew life. It is a bit expensive, but a really good one. I also take one called floragen 3. Make sure the one you pick has many many different bacterias in it. The more bacteria the better. Also, refridgerate them, they last longer. In fact I usually wont buy one that is not refridgerated.

 

[2thFairy]

Also, refridgerate them, they last longer. In fact I usually wont buy one that is not refridgerated.

Good point. VSL#3 has to be refrigerated.

 

[sarahsoda29]

I am also taking 6mp, and was considering taking a probiotic..
have you noticed any change? I was hoping it would help with overall fatigue.

Well I haven't started the 6MP yet...I won't until my bloodwork comes back so I can't verify that yet.