acidophilus & antibiotics

I keep reading about acidophilus.  How does this help?  How much and how often?  Also, I have chronic sinus infections and have to take antibiotics for them A LOT.  The heavy duty one....Levaquin.  Of course, this sets off IBS with heartburn.  I know that yogart helps but not completely.  I also keep reading about probiotics.  It's just the pits to have a sinus infection killing one end and IBS attacks killing the other all at the same time.  Will these two things help do you think?  (probiotics and acidophilus)  Thanks...

Yep... probiotics are the thing now... definitely coming out more in the market.

So we're not talking the milk-like acidophilus in the dairy section?  It's a pill in the herbal/vitamin section.  Right? Do you take it with food or on empty stomach?  Does it just help stabilize the intestinal distress from antibiotics or does it actually help calm the IBS gut? That would be a blessing! 

Acidophilus gives me gas but Kyo-Dophilus does not.
My Acidophilus is to be taken 30 min before a meal, and my Kyo-Dophilus is to be taken with a meal.

unhappycamper:)

I have to be honest, I never really dealt with alot or much of any ab pain...I'll tell you what the primadopjilus did do for me (keeping in mind I have crohns and suspected IBS) it made me drop down in frequency, I was going 7 or more times a day and since starting it my max is 5/day and that's not everyday, many days it's less. Also, I'm able to "get my business done" within the first (max) 2 hrs of the day when I get up, rather then it lingering on throughout the day.

I don't know what all foods are good for the gut, but can suggest that cutting way back on sugar will have it's benefits, and as an IBSer, avoiding all sweetners (try using "Stevia"...google it). I also know that many find help from using a digestive enzyme with each meal to cut back on gurglin (since that's usually your stomach doing its digesting process) digestive enzymes help break food down for you, you can get pills if you have troubles with natural digestive enzyme foods like, kiwi, pineapple, papaya...eating anyone of those after each meal does wonders...chew, chew, chew your food (if you don't already), then it's less work (less gurgling) for your system to break foods down.

Try and eat a blanced diet as much as you can and exersise is a huge benefit for the GI tract to function normally...oh ya, besides avoiding sugar (raw table processed sugar) avoid processed foods as much as possible, even fast-foods since they're typically full of preserves and msg's.

Other then that, I don't know what to tell ya, take care :)

The best thing to do for your guts is to quit needing the antibioitics. Of course we all get sick to the point we need them, but I have actually ridden a sinus infection out without antibiotics before, just because I didn't want to go to to the doctor. Took three weeks to get over it and I was blowing nasty green stuff out my nose for days and I couldn't smell or taste anything for while, but I DID get over it on my own. I figure that just helps my immune system the next time one comes along--which is every spring.

Number one, what are you allergic to? If you are not really sure, then see an allergist. You may need to take shots to reduce your reaction so you won't be so prone to the infections. They helped my mother to quit being severely asthmatic around cats; while she can't stay long in a house with one, she doesn't have to go to the hospital after only a few minutes around one, and she's been off them for years; they are much more effective when you're taking them.

Secondly, I haven't had a sinus infection again since that last bad one--that may be because I did build up some immunity, but I think most of it has to do with the fact that I am much more preventive now. I know that spring = allergies, so when I start sniffing, I start taking Claratin or even a non-drowsy DayQuil-type item. Sinus infections come from mucus setting up in your sinuses for too long; allergy or sinus medicines will help keep the mucus from building up, so no subsequent infections. I usually take medicine a week or two once spring gets in full swing and then I'm okay after that. I seem to build up something of a immunity to pollen after a while, but that first hit can really knock me for a loop.

If you can get your sinus infections down and reduce your antibioic dependency, that should naturally help your IBS problems, although you'll still need to watch what you eat and take probiotics until you are feeling fully recovered.

P.S. Don't go without antibioitics if you have ever had sinus cavity surgery or may require it. The only reason why I went without antibiotics when I had my sinus infection is because the rest of me felt fine; it was just my head that felt bad. If the rest of you feels bad too, then seek medicine. It's always best to be under a doctor's care in this situation; just tell him that you don't want to take antibiotics if you can help it, and he may can give you some prescription sinus medicine that will help clear you up faster than OTC and he can monitor your sinuses to make sure they don't get too bad. The last thing you want is sinus surgery!

hello, everyone. I take acidophillous everyday. 15 billion and my IBS is much better. I just got a bladder infection and am taking antibiotics with the acidophillous. Some people say to take it with antibiotics others say no. The reason i take it is so hopefully i dont get a yeast infection. you know how it is, one drug cures but it also creates, vicious cycle.