antibiotics versus probiotics dilemma

I went to my GP last week suffering from a wicked chest infection. He was going to prescribe antibiotics. I refused because I've already had two courses of cipro with metro for my UC (didn't work) then a few weeks later another course of cipro for post ear surgery. I've been taking culturelle whilst on these antibiotics and I believe it did lessen the gut harm. My conditions have not improved after trying stuff like vicks vapo-rub etc. so I think I'll have no choice but to relent and go on them. Of course I'll continue the culturelle but I'm not sure I'll double the dose as I don't want to negate the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Can probiotics actually cancel out antibiotics?

It's important to be taking the right type of probiotic (some can actually cause D) and the right strength (too low won't be effective enough) and a probiotic that states it reaches/target the colon (many of the lesser quality ones just get killed off in the gut before they can reach the areas where we need them)...

and as UCandMe mentioned, it's vital that you take your probiotics at least 2 hours after you're done taking antibiotics for the day or the antis will kill off the pros.

Wicked chest infection should be dealt with. What medication would your doc be giving you for that?
The meds I've used in the past for chest infection are Zithromax and Clavulin that helped a LOT. It does depend on if it's a stubborn one or a different strain that neither of those touch if you haven't improved after 10 days.

You might consider to add another combo of strains rather than just the Culturelle. I'm all for the rhamnosus to be in probiotics, but you might need a bit more of others as well.

I would take them at night on an empty stomach, about one or 2 hours after your antibiotics since they're enteric coated.

Hope you feel better soon. Chest infections are so difficult to function with.

q

From http://news.yahoo.com/4-conditions-probiotics-proven-treat-152743407.html

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Ulcerative colitis, one type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the large intestine, appears to be more responsive to probiotics than the other main type of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease. A flare-up of ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease, produces symptoms including frequent, and often bloody, diarrhea; abdominal pain and cramping; and weight loss.

The strongest evidence for the use of probiotics in ulcerative colitis shows that probiotics should be taken once a person has been brought into remission, Walker said. Research has found that people who take probiotics at that point can sustain remission for longer, perhaps for as much as six months to one year, compared with individuals not taking a probiotic, he said.

For people with ulcerative colitis, probiotics seem to work better behind-the-scenes, almost as a preventive measure, rather than as a treatment taken during the inflammatory, flare-up phase of the condition, Walker said. The most effective strains are Escherichia coli Nissle (which is not a harmful strain of E. coli), and VSL#3, which is a probiotic containing eight bacterial strains.