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anyone taking/heard of Kefir?

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Posted 10/11/2008 4:32 PM (GMT 0)

Has anyone tried taking Kefir?  It is a yogurt like drink that is full of probiotics.  Here is the website about it. http://www.lifeway.net/about.php  

My neighbor told me about it and they've been taking it daily for a year and not been sick at all.  No colds ect.  I'm just wondering if anyone else with UC has tried it and if it helped at all with UC symptoms.  

I was diagnosed in April 2008 and am currently flaring for the past few weeks.  After talking to my new G.I. doc he suspects I was never truly in remission since starting the Asocol back in April.  I've never had a truly "regular" BM since being on the meds.  It was increased to 12/day which I tried for about 7 weeks with no changes.  So, I went back to taking 8/day and am still currently taking 8/day.  Doc wants me to go on Prednisone for a short amount of time (20 mg/day) to get me feeling better quicker but I'm leary of taking it due to all the possible side effects.  I'm so confused.  Is it possible to lower the inflamation without the prednisone?  How long might it take?  What are your experiences either way??  Help!

I did start taking 1 super acidophilus pill a day about a week or two ago.  Since doing this I am not having to take the Imodium on a daily basis.  I've gone 2-3 days without taking it.  Mind you, I only take it if I have 2-3 BM's in a very quick succesion.  If I only have a watery BM and then not another for  a few hours, I don't feel that warrants taking the Imodium.  My doc also said I could try Activia yogurt.  I forgot to ask him if I can take both on the same day OR if it's only one or the other.  Also, if I was to try the Kefir would I take that in conjunction with the other probiotics???  Can you take too much probiotics?  Guess I'll have to ask him on wednesday but I also wanted to hear what others may have tried and how it worked for them.

I've found a pill for intestinal gas that's worked well for me.  It's Digestive Advantage and as I said it's for intestinal gas.  I thinks it's helped me a lot!!.  I found it near the Imodium in the store.  They also have some sort of pill for Chron's and UC.  I've not read up on that one yet.  Has anyone here tried it???

I sure would like to get back to feeling better and having energy again.  Any input anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Posted 10/11/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried Kefir before. I'm fairly lactose intolerant, but I do okay with moderate amounts of yogurt and cheese, because of the way they are processed. I assumed Kefir would be okay, but for some reason it caused a lot of gas in me. I know that in the past I've seen a soy Kefir, but it's been a while since I've seen it.

There was a thread earlier about Digestive Advantage. I bumped it so that you could read about others experiences. Start reading it at the beginning.  The thread has been around for a while now.  I hope this helps you answer a couple of your questions.
Posted 10/11/2008 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Brandon.  I read all of them.  I've already ordered some samples of DA Chron's & Colitis formula to be sent to myself and other family members so I'll have a good amount to try for free before I pay for them.  I'll also talk to my doc when I go in next week.

Marianne

Posted 10/13/2008 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
The Kefir is great stuff!  Glad you started taking a probiotic.  They do work wonders, especially when the diarrhea is constant.  Putting the good flora back in your tummy is helpful.  We used Kefir for a long time but daughter finally grew "sick of the taste".  So we are doing probiotics and immune system boosters as well as her meds.  She's not doing well at the moment, but am trying to get some answers on that.  Hopefully the new meds are kicking in and she can ditch the others!

Posted 10/13/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I was just in a health food store, and they had a product claiming to be probiotic, but as a fruit juice. The manufacturer's website is www.goodbelly.com. I bought some just to try it out, so I can't tell you anything about it yet. It might be a good alternative to kefir if you can't do the lactose.
Posted 10/13/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
BigDog,

I hope your daughter gets to feeling well again soon. I can't imagine being 8 yrs. old and having to deal with UC.

My friends told me Kefir comes in many flavors. I won't be starting that at this time. Maybe in a few weeks though. I don't want to change more than one thing at a time so as to know if something doesn't agree with me.

Brandon,

I'll have to look into that website and see what I can find out. There is soooo much information to read up on that sometimes it's mind boggling! As I'm sure you all know.

Marianne
Posted 10/13/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Brandon,

I just finished reading the GoodBelly website. It sounds very good. I printed off some of the information to talk to my doctor about on wednesday. Thanks for the tip.

Marianne
Posted 10/13/2008 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Marianne,

I haven't tried Kefir but would like to. There are a few posters on the board that have had success with it. Someone posted this link here a while back where you can get free kefir grains from people so you can culture your own: http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.php

I would definitely drink it every day if it means I wouldn't get any more colds, like your neighbor. I doubt that would happen for me though. Cold viruses seem to like me.

As for one of your other questions, I think it is near impossible to take too many probiotics. You should be fine with kefir and another probiotic.

Yes, there are other options besides pred. Have you tried Rowasa enemas in addition to your Asacol? There are also steroid suppositories and enemas (Cortifoam is one that has helped many here). Less of the steroid is absorbed into your system with these than with oral prednisone, so most people have less side effects.
Posted 10/13/2008 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
I have to say that I still prefer probiotic supplements/capsules over probiotic beverages and yogurts. Its a lot easier to remember to pop a couple of extra pills with my meds in order to get my good bacteria. I'm not against supplementing them with drinks. Too much pro-b can never hurt.
Posted 10/13/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Two other probiotic yogurst are DanActive and Activia. I'm pretty sure at least DanActive is okay for those who are lactose intolerant.

I agree that it is much easier to pop a few pills instead of remembering yogurt everyday. I never remember to drink DanActive everyday, so it ends up being a few times/week.

Posted 10/13/2008 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have problems with dairy that I think go beyond just being lactose intolerant. You can also be sensitive to the protein in dairy. I don't mess with kefir or yogurt and just take a dairy-free, high potency probiotic... makes life alot simpler.
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