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Pro-Biotics???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/29/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
When I was diagnosed back in aug 2008, my GI said taking pro-biotics was not a bad idea. So I went to GNC and bought what they had.  "Pro-Biotics Acidophilus 14 Billion good bacteria"  Since having found this site and reading the posts I now have questions.  I've never tried not taking these pills so I don't reaaly know if they are helping in my case or not.  But from my doc recomending them and all your positive posts I will keep taking them. 

My question now to you all is Am I taking the right one? Or a strong enough one?  I wil also ask this question of my doc when I see him in a couple weeks, but if you all have any insight for me I might make the change before then as he didn't specify which one to take. I take currently take one at lunch and one at bed.

I also have heard that some of these need to be kept refrigerated?  This would not be an option for me unless they could be taken together and at night.  THere is no refridge available during the day for me.  And I already take way to many morning pills.

Posted 12/29/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

For me the probiotics do help.  I did not always take them and I have seen improvement since I starting taking them a few months ago.  Mine do have to be kept in the refrigerator.  I have never seen any that did not.  It is my understanding that they lose some effectiveness if they are left out at room temperature.  I take between 25-50 billion several times a week.  For a while I was taking them daily but now I take them about every other day.  My bottle instructions also suggest taking them without food - again to increase the effectiveness.  I take them before bed at night.  I am also on Lialda - which I take with food at lunch...  Hope this helps!

Posted 12/29/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)

Probiotics sold as nonrefrigerated, pill-form supplements may not contain enough active bacteria to be effective. Heat, oxygen and/or moisture may render many of these bacteria inactive. Anecdotal evidence cited on a Web site or package is not sufficient proof of effectiveness. Ideally, you want to find a product that has undergone testing by independent labs to prove viability and that has alot of positive consumer reviews.

An insulated lunch sack with a cold pack in it is sufficient to keep probiotics cool throughout the day if a fridge is unavailable.

Posted 12/29/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
You can take your probiotics all at once, and time of day doesn't matter. I take 2 Primadophilus Reuteri daily in the morning (along with my other 10 assorted pills and capsules.) The P.R. contains lactobacillus acidophilus, l. reuteri and l. rhamnosus. I chose it partially because it also promotes vaginal health, which souldn't be an issue in your case.

I don't think there's any good data on which strains are best to take, or even whether we all need the same strains. There's been some testing done on VSL#3 which showed it to be effective, however of course it is dreadfully expensive. I found that the probiotics help with making my stools more solid. They also help protect us from c. diff overinfection, especially if we have to take antibiotics for anything. I'd say just keep taking what you're taking until you see your doc. See if he has any recommendations; if not, just experiment to see what seems to work for you.
Posted 12/29/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I take all mine before I go to bed. Less gas during the day.

There are Primal Defense Reuteri pearls..teeny tiny..lol!...I would take 2 daily rather than just one, however.

q
Posted 12/30/2008 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
There are many non-refridge probiotic options out there. A good search engine will point you in the right direction. Jarrow and Nature's way seem to be the best brands I have come across to date. Take them at any time. However, don't take them with hot foods or beverages, antibiotics, or antibacterial herbs like garlic.

KNowledge is key when taking probiotics if you want to get the best bang for your buck and use them to their greatest efficiency.
Posted 12/30/2008 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
you don't need to take them anywhere unrefridgerated. Once a day is just fine.

If you are taking a probiotic that has only 1 strain - acidophilus I would recommend taking more beneficial strains. There were quite a few posts about these strains you can look them up.
Posted 12/30/2008 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Definately need to talk to someone about another strain then. Like I said not sure they are helping and I really didn't know to do any research on this subject back in aug when it was suggested I go on them. Am just now realizing from this site there are options here. Since GI appointment is a couple weeks a way, I guess I'll pick my pharmicists brain between now and then. See what he recommends and what they carry. The only health food store around here is GNC and they only carried the one I'm taking. And it seem none of you are taking this one and are taking alot more than 14 billion a day.
Posted 12/30/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotics may help or they may not help. I had been taking probiotics for years, long before I was diagnosed with UC. To my knowledge they did not benefit my UC but I will never know for sure. It can't hurt to take them, I still do take them even though I no longer have a colon. But to think they might put you in remission or keep you from flaring again is putting too much emphasis on their efficacy.

Sue
Posted 12/30/2008 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
help or even a reduction in symptoms is acceptable to me right now. I seem to be improving with the meds and diet changes ( no gluten and spinach/sunflower seeds ) (am attributing improvements more to the diet changes ) Looking for ways to assist and speed up improvement process without triggering a relapse. Thats why I'm trying to get feedback and advice both from here and medical professionals.
I really do appreciate all the help I've recieved here and look forward to "giving back" when I'm more knowledgeable. Mainly right now all I can offer in return is support.
Posted 12/30/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Also consider the fact that you just lowered the pred...you might have "some" symptoms of relapse.

You should consider protiotics that also have rhamnosus and reuteri. Look into Flora brand. It needn't be too complicated..try another one and see if it improves.

Taking probiotics, supplements, etc is an up and down thing. We still will flare when we take them, but what it's doing "inside" is supporting as healthy and as balanced a colon and digestive tract as possible.

It's not all or nothing when dealing with UC...but it does take a while to get it all worked out and find out how it all works for us.

q
Posted 12/30/2008 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
actually found what appears to be a multi- strain Probiotic at local rite aid.... THe pharm assistant is check into it for me. I should hope to have more info tomorrow. for about 5 dollars a month in takes me from 14 billion up to 200 billion plus adding other enzyemes... FOr the money it might be worth switchin.
Posted 12/31/2008 6:45 AM (GMT 0)

unclebubba said...
Definately need to talk to someone about another strain then. Like I said not sure they are helping and I really didn't know to do any research on this subject back in aug when it was suggested I go on them. Am just now realizing from this site there are options here. Since GI appointment is a couple weeks a way, I guess I'll pick my pharmicists brain between now and then. See what he recommends and what they carry. The only health food store around here is GNC and they only carried the one I'm taking. And it seem none of you are taking this one and are taking alot more than 14 billion a day.

So far these are the strains that Ive read about in connection with UC acidophilus, thermophilus, boulardii, plantarum, reuteri, rhamnosus, casei, bulgaricus and salivarius
Posted 12/31/2008 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
     My nutritionist suggested Powerdolphilus by Country Life.  I order in over the net.  You can sometimes catch a sale.  I believe I paid either $8 or $12, for a bottle of 200.  I take two capsules a day and keep them refrigerated.  Each capsule contains lactobacilius rhamnosus..4.2 billion, lactobacilius acidophilus...3.6 billion, bifidobacterium lactis..3 billion and bifidobacterium longum..1.2 billion.  wow, what a mouthful!  In the hospital they gave me Flora Q but they are quite expensive. 
Posted 12/31/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
In my experience Bifidus and reuteri seem to have the most impact.
Posted 12/31/2008 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Pharm tech who was supposed to get me info, turns out she got sick and called off today. LOL. Now I'll have to wait till friday to find out my info. Would just "buy it and try it" but seems I'm getting quite the little "failed drug" cabinet. LOL. What do we do with all this stuff that didn't work for us? Canasa supp's, Probiotics, and many many more. I keep putting them in a small tote in a bathroom closet out of the sunlight. Lot of money wrapped up in tha tote. Maybe I should use a fire safe. LOL. Have learned its easier and cheaper to ask questions either here or of a "medical Proff" before opening my wallet. LOL
Posted 1/2/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Ingredient list on my current Pro-biotics.... any thoughts? is this a well rounded one? Or are these not pro-biotics. Maybe they are just fillers or other drugs? maybe some of you know?
name: Pro-Biotics Acidophilus
Ingred: Proprietary Probiotic Blend- 14 billion cfu's 1000 mg
Maltodextrin, Inulin, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobaciluss rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactbacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterum bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum.

Seem to me there are alot of different ones there, but I am still new to reading labels... so.. LOL
Posted 1/2/2009 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..the maltodextrin could cause you some problems possibly regarding comfort? I have that in my probiotics...I take them at night before bedtime, whenever that is

The strains are perfect.

The inulin and maltodextrin is what the bacteria feed on helping to create the activity of the strains.

You could consider to take them before bedtime instead of during the day.

q
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