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Posted 8/13/2008 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all. Although not as bad as the full flare I had in June, my symptoms are still not completely under control. I've tapered down to 20mgs of prednisone plus two Lialda in the AM and cortizone enema at night. However, I still have about 5-6 BMs in the first hour or two after waking, some blood on the paper, and maybe one or two loose BMs after lunch (depending on what I eat). I'll see my GI at the end of this month and we are considering 6-MP if things don't improve. Until then I would like to try probiotics. I went to Earth Fair today and picked up and $8 bottle of Acidophilus and Bifidus supplement. I'm going to try taking it twice a day at breakfast and dinner and see what happens. I'm totally new to probiotics so any guidance, recommendations, or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted 8/13/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jrob,

I just started some probiotics last week. I received some good insight from the people on the site look into some of the past blogs. I was able to get a prescription from my GI called VSL #3DS. It is really expensive if you have to buy it out of pocket $600 but I got a months worth for about 30 dollar copay. He wrote the prescription for a year. This form is in a powder packet which you need to refrigerate. It seemed to be the only one my doctor felt was good, each packet has 900 billion bacteria. I have been trying to use 3 a day. I have been in a bad flare for about a month after a 2 year remission from my initial diagnosis. I put the powder in Tapioca or chocolate or yogurt. The pudding hides the taste the best I did not like it in water or Juice it's not that it was horrible but kind of pasty. I am hoping it will help but I have not been taking it long enough for results yet. Some people report gas or bloating but I have not had that issue a week into taking them. If you can get a prescription it could be a viable choice even though it is pricey compared to the over the counter kind
Posted 8/13/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Check out Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way, it has guaranteed intestinal release, only one/day is needed, I pay 28.00 in Canada for a 90 day supply, it also aids with lactose intolerance which IBDers are prone to, high cholesterol and for women, vaginal health but it's perfectly fine for men to take it as well.

The only downside is it must be kept (and purchased) cold, but it's well worth it.

:)
Posted 8/13/2008 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking Primadophilus Reuteri by Nature's Way for a couple of years. It has Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. reuteri and L. acidophilus. The recommended dosage is one capsule per day, but I increased mine to two caps a few months ago because of persistent yeast infections which are now cleared up. I can definitely tell it helps me to have less gas, firmer stools and less rude intestinal noise, as well as clearing up the yeast.
Posted 8/14/2008 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Culturelle, HMF Forte, Primal Defense- are all very good choices. You must keep in mind that stomach acid kills non-enteric coated probiotics, also quantity of viable organisms per capsule is a key factor when buying probiotics. You want to fortify your gut with flora that are native to the intestines.
Posted 8/14/2008 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
I don't want to take too many supplements and I am in England. I currently take the Bio-Care - should I be taking the Primadophilus Reuteri - one a day? Can someone recommend one?
Posted 8/14/2008 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hey!

I am currently taking VSL#3 in capsule form. I take 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night. I am down to 5mgs of prednisone and my flare is getting into remission. Are you doing the cort enema every night?

Posted 8/14/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the info! I looked at the specs for the Nature's Way and it has 5 times the amount of viable organisms than what I am taking. I think I'll try that one next. about how long does it take before you notice any difference? The funny thing is I feel really good today. Only had to go three times this morning. I know it's too early for the probiotic to make a difference, and it probably has more to do with not having coffee this morning. I always see to forget that caffeine sometimes slows recovery for me.

Wishful, glad to hear your flare is getting better. Yes, I'm still taking the cort enema every night. Actually on Monday I started taking it in the afternoon when I get home from work. I just lay on my left side and watch TV for about an hour. I figure it's at least an extra 4-5 hours that the medicine stays in.
Posted 8/14/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I think it varies for each person, I noticed within a few days that there was improvements.

Good luck!

:)
Posted 8/14/2008 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I take the same as pb4 but I take two pills a day.......maybe that is not good?

WishfulMA, that is great that you are down to 5mg of pred!! Woo Hoo!
Posted 8/14/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was sniffing around some med journals to study VSL3 probiotic supplementation in its formulation stages to decide if it would be a welcome addition to my therapy and came across this little gem.

“Probiotic therapy also improved symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) in
a separate study presented by Richard N. Fedorak, MD. Dr. Fedorak and colleagues evaluated 30 patients with active mild-to-moderate UC with recent flares. Patients continued with previous treatment that included mesalamine, corticosteroids, and/or azathiaprine, as long as the treatment regimen was stable prior to the study. Patients took two VSL3 sachets twice a day for six weeks. Dr. Fedorak reported that remission occurred in 63% (19 patients) and there was a clinical response in an additional 23% (seven patients). There was no response in 13% (four patients). Worsening of symptoms occurred in one patient.”
Medscape Medical News-Martha Kerr. May 2003

This is just one clinical trial of many but I can get down with those statistics!!!
Posted 8/14/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've had good experiences with Natren www.natren.com and Custom Probiotics' six strain blend www.customprobiotics.com.
Posted 8/18/2008 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Yakult probiotic drink
Posted 8/18/2008 6:09 AM (GMT 0)

Beth75 said...
I take the same as pb4 but I take two pills a day.......maybe that is not good?

WishfulMA, that is great that you are down to 5mg of pred!! Woo Hoo!

It's perfectly fine to take 2/day, I take 2 together/day during my periods when things get crazy with my crohn's and IBS.

:)

Posted 8/19/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
May I ask where in Canada you buy Primadophilus Reuteri by Nature's Way ?
Posted 8/19/2008 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I get if from Sangsters, they keep it stored in their fridge as it should be.

:)
Posted 8/19/2008 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have just bought Primadophilus Reuteri from i-Herb in USA. It isn't available in England. I hope it is good and stays good in transit, I bought 90 caps for $19. I am going to stop the biocare in the meantime. I heard Natren is good from reading Jini Patel Thompsons's book "Heal your Gut" but there are too many varieties to take and I don't want to become obsessed.
Posted 8/19/2008 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I've used Natren's brand for nearly two years. It comes in powdered form and also capsule. The powder is a bit of a pain, with measuring and mixing but apparently more affective when you have diarrhea. I've taken liberty and increased recommended doses as well, just ease into any brand slowly.
Posted 8/20/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you pb4, the next time I am in Edmonton I will have to go there.
Posted 8/20/2008 6:59 PM (GMT 0)

I swear by my VSL3 sachets/packets.  The pills didn't work for me.

bob

Posted 8/20/2008 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm using twp Jarrow Formulas:
Jarro-dophilus EPS
Jarro-dophilus + FOS

Anyone else have experience with these?

They seem to be ok so far, nothing great, but better than the cheapo stuff. I can't seem to find Culturelle anywhere in the greater Seattle area.
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