biologics and probiotics- is this dangerous??

This makes no sense to me. We introduce good flora to croud out the bad. You might want to read The Probiotic Revolution by Huffnagel. It is very insightful on this topic. Also lots of Crohnies react very badly to vsl#3, although for some it helps.
Dave

Why would you need a prescription for probiotics? You can get them in the store - I take Humira and when I am not feeling well or in the rare and frightening instance when I have to take antibiotics I take twice the dose of probiotics. That combined with all the other things I do to try and keep myself healthy seems to work for me.

Good luck!

Hi madigascar,

This was something that I looked into last year(at least I think it was last year-they are going too quickly for me :) )

DS was/is on Azathioprine(different drug group to Humira but also a drug that suppresses the immune system) I did a lot of online research and came across several reports that said that current advice was for patients with a suppressed immune system NOT to take pro-biotics(there had been deaths in people with a really suppressed immune system). However I was also aware that many Crohn's sufferers did take pro-biotics and have felt positives rather than negatives.

I spoke to people who produced the pro biotics that son was on and they advised for him not to continue on them.

I was still scratching my head on this one and spoke to a friend who is a consultant (in a different field) who, however, prescribes vast amounts of immune suppressants at a far greater strength (think transplant strengths!) Her opinion was that the strength prescribed to a crohn's patient was not that big and that there should be no problem and that the issue came when the immune system was severely compromised(like in transplants/chemo etc)

I don't know the strength of Humira with the immune system (although I am aware that it is considered one of the 'big guns') so I really don't know. There are many on it with no problems BUT your GI really should know all the pros and cons.

There have been studies that show that VSL can help folks with CD. I have read them, so for some it helps.

However, there are strains of bacteria in VSL that can over grow and cause issues. This has cuased flares in a bunch of people, again the studies are out there. On the diet I am on it is to be avoided for that reason. I make yogurt that I control which strains are included. It has about a trillion live cultures per cup and I take this twice daily. Each cup is about 4 times stronger than VSL and it is way cheaper.
Also, I would rather take my probiotics from home made organic milk, than more pills.
Dave

Wow thanks for all the feedback!

Vixen- that totally does make sense. I guess its a cautionary measure my hubby's GI is taking. I talked to my husband about it and we're going to think about it and see what feels right. For the time being I bought him some kefir.

I think if he takes any probiotics, it won't be vsl after what u guys told me. Any other probiotics recommendaton?

I have tried probiotics a few times and different sorts from tablets to capsules to drinks and all of them gave me horrendous stomach cramps. I carried on taking them for three-four weeks each time before giving in as the cramps were getting worse not better and resigned myself that my body doesn't like healthy stuff anymore, junk food it is fine with but healthy and it kicks uo a fuss :)