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Interested in experiences with Probiotics ?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/20/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I just got out of the hospital on Dec 17th after a 17day stay. I was discharged on a Probiotic called Florastor. I am taking this for 3 months and have read good things about it and may consider taking it longer too. Has anyone had positive experiences with probiotics and your Crohn's symptoms easing, i.e flares etc.? I had another bad flare in Sept. and ended up in the hospital for 9days then. I narrowly avoided surgery this last time too. I am going to try some new things this time around with my diet and I also do Remicade every 8 weeks and Imuran 175mg and Pentasa. When I have flares I end up in the hospital , it is either all or nothing with me or so I have been told. I am either doing well or really sick and flat on my back.
Posted 12/20/2007 6:57 PM (GMT 0)

Probiotics are very necessary even while in remission, I take a really good one called primadophilus reuteri made by natures way, it has guaranteed intestinal release, aids with high cholesterol, lactose intolerance and for women, vaginal health as well.  Only one/day is needed and in Canada I pay 29.00 for 90 caps so it lasts me 3 mnths.

Here's a link regarding probiotics (specifically VSL3, very pricy)....

scroll to the top of the page when it loads in to read the article from the beginning...

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/10/12/probiotics.html#skip300x250

:)

Posted 12/21/2007 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
i have no idea if they help or not, but the research says they can. it makes sense that the problem is caused or contributed by flora change in our gut. part of the problem there is stress and a poor diet, imho. once you change your diet and kill off the bad beasties, probiotics are key for reseeding the proper ratios of good to bad flora and making sure you get the right kind in there.

jordan rubin, the makers diet author, swears by them. his supplement company, garden of life, makes primal defense. that is what he uses. i've used that and Th1-s, which i like better only cos i felt i got a bit more of a noticeable response to it. but there are many brands out there. vsl 3 is supposed to be a good one, and very popular right now.

i pop probiotics daily. i feel diet is helping me more, but i plan on using probiotics for statements i made above. i want to make sure i have my gut dominated by the good guys so i can keep feeling well.
Posted 12/21/2007 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
I've tried florastor and floraQ. I stopped them because they didn't seem to help me.

Posted 12/21/2007 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken a number of probiotics over the past couple of years. Primadophilus reuteri, Culturelle, etc. I have never noticed one inkling of difference until I recently started VSL #3 a few days ago. I also started taking cholestyramine, so it's hard to tell which one is helping, but SOMETHING is. I was going 15-20 times a day, every day, and the past 2-3 days I've only gone 5 times at MOST. This is insane and awesome!
Posted 12/21/2007 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my GI yesterday and asked his opinion on probiotics. He is head of GI at Mount Sinai in Toronto so I'm assuming he knows his stuff. He said that although there is no conclusive evidence one way or the other, his opinion is that probiotics may one day be the answer to a cure. Since taking them can't be harmful, even if they don't help, he recommended trying them. So I'm going to the health food store today after work.
Posted 12/21/2007 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses. While in the hospital I was on Flagyl and also Vancomycin, both antibiotics. I still am on the Vancomycin for 11 more days. The Mayo Hospital has given me the probiotic during my past two hospital stays there, so it is something new they are giving me for treatment. I am thinking of continuing it later. I was discharged and told to take the Florastor for 3 months. I have noticed a significant difference because antibiotics normally send me to the bathroom quite a bit. Thanks again. I also read the book by Jordin Rubin. My diet is not always the best so that is something I am going to focus more on.
Posted 12/21/2007 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same experience as Sarita. I tried several store brands (expensive, even Garden of Life) and saw no difference. When I took the VSL#3, I felt like there was a difference. I have to wait to start it again until I get to an approved point in my prochymal trial, but I will start them again! But, yes, they are pricy!
Posted 12/21/2007 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Just be sure when taking antibiotics to take your probiotics at least 2 hours AFTER you're done taking your antis for the day...otherwise the antis will kill off the pros.

:)
Posted 12/21/2007 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
For what it's worth, my GI swears by VSL3 and has started me on it. He reports that he has a number of Crohn's patients who have shown very dramatic improvement over time with this particular probiotic. In fact he says he has taken some of them off all other standard medications with no relapses. So we shall see.

Posted 12/21/2007 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks pb4 for the HEADS UP

IMportant to remember......
Posted 12/22/2007 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, PB4 thanks for that info regarding the antibiotics and probiotics. I know they gave them to me at certain times in the hospital but I couldn't remember. The Florastor is 39.00 for 50 pills. Just out of curiosity how much is VSL3 ?
Posted 12/22/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Expensive. It was like $50 for a month's worth (I take 2 per day). Insurance won't pay for it because it isn't considered a "drug" per se. If it keeps me like this, though, it'll be worth it!
Posted 12/22/2007 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Do they sell VSL #3 in regular health food stores? If not do you know of a web site where I can order it?
Posted 12/22/2007 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
You can order VSL from their website or, if you're in a metropolitan area you may have a good chance of finding it in a local drug store. VSL's website has a "store locater" feature you can use to find a local store carrying it.
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