Probiotics

[mikeymac]

Has anyone had any success with probiotics?

Also, I was trying to ask a question to "Ask the experts" and an error came back and said I don't have permission to do that. I was wanting to ask the experts about the probiotics.

Can someone direct me where to ask these kinds of questions if the "Support Forum" is not the place to ask?

Thanks

 

[Terri311]

Before I was diagnosed I was desperate for anything that might help. My pharmacist suggested probiotics which I took.

It certainly helped me a whole lot, lessened frequency of bowels and lessened the pain considerably. It was not perfect but it helped.

I quit taking them about a week ago, just to test out. so far I am quite OK but who knows why, could be anything that is a change in diet.

 

[Bethyb]

I'm currently taking VSL #3 (packets, not pills) and they seem to be working pretty well. I take the prescription version which is a little stronger than the over the counter version. A bit pricey but worth it! Ask your doctor about it!

 

[mikeymac]

I've looked into that VSL#3 and that seems real promising. My Aunt bought me a GNC kind but I'm kinda of chicken to take them. I've tried probiotics before and they seemed to have caused me to flare up. I don't know if its because of taking the wrong kind or what. Do think I should give those a try? She really wants to help me but I'm actually chicken to take them in fear that it will make things worse. I might just give VSL #3 a try and not tell her. I just don't know about these vitamin shop kind of probiotics. To me GNC is no differen't they will tell you anything to sell their product. I've never heard of VSL until yesterday when I stumbled across it. I don't know. What do you guys think? I'm just afraid of making things worse and I think you can understand that. Crohn's is so damn temperamental and I get so discouraged. Its like "ok, let me take this and see how much pain its going to cause" instead of "Hey, this could really help me out".

 

[spryte]

I have talked to my doctors about this and they seem to feel that there is no empiracle evidence that probiotics will do any good for Crohn's. That is not to say that probiotics do not work, just that there is not enough evidence that they do.

I have friends that have said that probiotics have proven useful for other them and swear by them.

Personally I do not use them, but my Crohn's has abated somewhat and I do not feel the need to.

 

[jwfoise]

I have UC and in addition to my normal meds I take a probiotic. I actually worked with my GI on this, he showed me papers on it, and then we did a test of a month on, and back to a month off. I've been on them ever since; must be at least 5 years.

For me, it isn't a substitute for the normal meds. It seems to be the difference from having a flare every month or two, to having one or two a year. And when I do have them, they are milder and last a shorter period of time.

 

[Terri311]

As I understand there are many kinds of probiotics, it would help me a lot if I knew the strain or multi-strain that was used. Thanks.

 

[mikeymac]

LAB4 Probiotics
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 60)
Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL 21)
Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL20)
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (CUL34)

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) 200 mg

This is a GNC brand

 

[UnXmas]

I've tried a few kinds and noticed no difference in my symptoms either way.

 

[mikeymac]

I'm hoping it will be different this time. Last time I tried the way back in 2003/04. They didn't do so well for me. But I will try again because I've read where a lot of people have benefited greatly from them.

 

[jwfoise]

As I understand there are many kinds of probiotics, it would help me a lot if I knew the strain or multi-strain that was used. Thanks.

I use ReNew Life Ultimate Flora Senior Formula. It has the strain or strains that my doctor thought were good (though I don't recall what those are) and a friend recommended that brand to me (she uses a different product from them). It was the first one I tried and it seemed to help. I have not compared it to other brands.

 

[DEmberton]

I tried one called Symprove which was touted as a bit of a miracle cure for IBS (which I still thought I had at the time). All it seemed to do was make my gurgling stomach gurgle more.

Of course it's possible the gurgling got worse by itself and the probiotic really did nothing.

 

[mikeymac]

Well, I saw my GI doc today and he recommended align. So, I'm going to try that. From what he said. If you don't know what your getting with some of the probiotics due to greed. I've heard good things about Align and VSL#3. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Naturelover]

I know gluten causes inflammation, could it be that some probiotics have been cross contaminated with gluten? There are companies that sell gluten free, vegan etc probiotics, vitamins & minerals.

 

[Terri311]

Well, I saw my GI doc today and he recommended align. So, I'm going to try that. From what he said. If you don't know what your getting with some of the probiotics due to greed. I've heard good things about Align and VSL#3. I'll let you know what happens.

Looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[Terri311]

I know gluten causes inflammation, could it be that some probiotics have been cross contaminated with gluten? There are companies that sell gluten free, vegan etc probiotics, vitamins & minerals.

I didn't know that, thanks for the information, have been gluten free for at least 6 months, and I am careful about ensuring that my vitamins and probiotics are gluten free,

I just know that without gluten I do not have a tender and sore stomach.

 

[mikeymac]

Well, so far it seems like the probiotics are doing their job. It also seems to be helping my GERD.

 

[Terri311]

Well, so far it seems like the probiotics are doing their job. It also seems to be helping my GERD.

Glad to hear that, it has taken quite a while for me to feel pain free, have no idea if I should attribute it to no gluten, no dairy, low sodium or to the probiotic I am taking. I dare not do the dance of joy quite yet.

Even if it doesn't last forever I am grateful for the down time.

 

[mikeymac]

Well, I'm not out of the woods yet but it seems like they are at least helping my crohn's as its only the second day. I can still feel some pain in the Gerd area.

 

[Terri311]

Well, I'm not out of the woods yet but it seems like they are at least helping my crohn's as its only the second day. I can still feel some pain in the Gerd area.

I have been at this last probiotic for a little over 3 months, it has been an up and down but I persisted and kept taking them along with trying to eat nutritionally as possible, no skipped meals, small ones and regular.

 

[mikeymac]

Hopefully we can get thru this.

 

[Terri311]

Hopefully we can get thru this.

We will prevail and keep on keeping on

I do give myself one day a month to feel sorry for myself, and this month I still have the day unused.

 

[mikeymac]

LOLz

I'm hoping that yoga and meditation will help in that area for me. I'm having a rough time battling those feelings by myself.

 

[elihogan]

Doctor recommended Culturelle, I took one a day for a while and it was alright. seemed to help the most when I first ramped up the dosage while taking antibiotics for a tonsil infection. Who knows if it was the higher dose or the antibiotics really doing the helping though because I'm still taking that dose and my stomach is right back where it was.

 

[JenS]

My GI recommended the "Restora" brand probiotics

 

[mikeymac]

remission 2005-2013
Felt great for many years...Married and had two kids during remission!!

I'm happy for you. I feel like my crohn's keeps me from that kind of life. I feel who would want a diseased ridden 50 yr man. But I'm hoping maybe some mediation/yoga classes will help my mentality at least. Maybe I'm too old to find the love of my life and get married but at least I can battle and win this crohn's problem. If probiotics helps then dangit i'm going to do it. It just gets so old fighting this just to feel good. i have all those symptoms you mentioned JenS. I get so tired of it.

 

[mikeymac]

I think the probiotics are helping me out. I've been feeling great the past few days. Its just taking time. I still have mucus in my stools however there is less blood and my Gerd is actually feeling better too. I have been taking otc pepcid AC. Seems I can tolerate it the best. Just thought Id update.