HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Great Value Probiotic

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/20/2012 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have used Align before and thought that it did well, but its $30, so this time I opted for the $16 Great Value brand of it from walmart. Said to compare with Align and has 4x the amount.
I am trying to come out of a flare and I am using it but I am not sure its working all that well. Can any of you tell me your experiences with it if you have used it?

I normally stay on Asacol but I want to get off and just do the SCD diet and I was doing that since Aug 2011 and having pretty good luck with it. Then around Nov1 I quit the meds, and was doing good but around Jan 2012 I started to see signs of a flare with increased mucus and ribbon stool and finally a full flare.

I thought back and yes I did cheat some on the diet, it may have caused my flare or it may have been high stress with family issues.

I am being more strict on the diet and its not working right now so I am losing faith and thinking about getting back on asacol.

All I had yesterday was turkey for breakfast, a little simply orange oj , Wendy's chili for lunch, some oj mid afternoon with turkey then some little home made egg omelets made in the oven in a cupcake pan for dinner with tea sweetened with honey.
This morning lots of ribbon stool and you know that feeling where you can actually feel your colon swollen, that's me today.

Post Edited (Digerati) : 1/20/2012 7:56:05 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/20/2012 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I thought that Align had exclusive rights to Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and so no other probiotic would have it. Are you sure the Great Value brand has that strain?
Posted 1/20/2012 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
It does have Bifidobacterium infantis but its a different number and I dont have it in front of me to read it off
Posted 1/20/2012 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
my advice :

stick with the asacol, scd, & probiotics (not sure brand matters - get the most you can afford) for a reasonable amout of time - 6 mos maybe - give your body time to heal - be as strict with your diet as you can -

and before Heather asks ( :-) ) , are you doing any rectal meds - probaly wouldn't overlook those either -

good luck -

Posted 1/20/2012 6:12 PM (GMT 0)

i have tried to go without meds. never worked.

i would get back on your oral asacol and start using rowasa or canasa.

don't let the flare get out of control, unless you do something aggressive, it is not going to go away...

in my experience, its a combo of things that help, meds, diet, over the counter supps, etc.

good luck

Posted 1/20/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Not doing any enemas or suppositories or any other rectal meds.
Posted 1/20/2012 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
oh and just adding that wendys chili is probably not good to eat during a flareup!

Posted 1/21/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Digerati-
I just started using slippery elm bark. InSoFla says its "nature's mesalamine". Check InSoFla's posts...lots of good information there.

I got the slippery elm bark capsules to try before ordering a larger supply of powdered form. So I empty a couple of caps into a little water and mix in some honey. Not great tasting but OK to drink before bedtime. Seems to be soothing. Time will tell.

I try to avoid meds as much as possible and think diet is key.
Love chili but fear the results. Occasionally have hamburg cooked with mild taco seasoning over romaine lettuce, my form of taco salad.
Posted 1/21/2012 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the tips. I should have never gotten off my meds, but I just want to be drug free. Even while on meds I would have a really good flare about two times a year. I was hoping scd diet could help and was believing in it, but something went wrong.

I had a terrible night of cramping last night along witH some blood. This morning has been no picnic either.

I shouldn't have coffee, but every day this week I have had one weak cup with a little half n half, and honey. Love it and it makes me happy. Not sure if it's really exacerbating anything.

Hate to hear that about the chili. I was hoping it could be my fast food fix when out and about.
Posted 1/21/2012 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Try not to get too hung up on the food aspect and that you shouldn't be on medications. Your food didn't cause the flare or the bleeding.

Both oral and rectal 5ASA you should request asap.

It's not the coffee causing flaring! But, coffee can trigger peristalsis and if you have anything in the lower part (even if you're flaring), it will need to be evacuated. If you're flaring, it would probably happen even if you drink water. The process starts with iwhat goes in. At least you'll know what to expect.


Chili can cause more gas and discomfort and basically can be difficult to digest. Maybe a small amount with other food or make it with less spices, etc.

You need meds, and if you want to do the SCD...do it but with the meds.

Just don't punish yourself and continue to BELIEVE you did something wrong.

q
Posted 1/21/2012 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy. Not as bad a most, I am on my 5th poop of the day, well that was hours ago, Ive been napping, but anyways In that last poop I saw two partially digested asacol pills. First time I think I have ever noticed or seen that.
Posted 1/23/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I snapped some pictures of the box and I couldnt figure out how to upload them in this forum so here they are linked on another site

http://seizethepage.com/junk/probiotic1.jpg

http://seizethepage.com/junk/probiotic2.jpg
Posted 1/23/2012 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
The partially digested pills are fine...as long as they're opened. The'll come out quicker with constant stools than they would with slower stools.
Mine are literally pulverised when I see them in the stool.

Really...you need to get on rectal meds.

Your probiotic is basic, but maybe consider to add another one to add to the mix as well.

q
Posted 1/23/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Im not saying I dont need to be on rectal meds, but actually I respond pretty good to asacol and have started back on it. Since Friday Ive gotten a lot better, I had a large rope of a turd this morning and have only been 2x today and the second time was tiny.
Less cramping too.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply