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Acidophilus.. Have I found my breakthrough?!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/20/2015 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Good afternoon all!

I just wanted to share my recent story with you..

Three weeks ago I attended my regular 3 month clinic appointment. I saw a different consultant, he was rather abrupt, and when I said I was taking Acidophilus alongside Olsalazine (2g/day) and Salofalk, he asked me "Are you a scientist?" and then went on to tell me how there was little to no proof that these kind of 'good' bacteria made any difference whatsoever, and if they did they would be commonly used.

I left the appointment having gained 1kg (!!!!), feeling slightly silly because of course he was right! I stopped taking them (I only took one a day with my evening meal).

Three days later, I noticed the mucus. I had grumbles and cramps, and had to visit the loo 4 times within an hour of being awake. Over the next week it worsened. "Oh no!" I thought, I couldn't face the thought of going through another flare. My last one took 14months to get under control! After another couple of days I thought-I've stopped these tablets-what if I restart them? So I did, that day with dinner I popped my Olsalazine and my Acidophilus. No word of a lie-three days later I was back to 'normal'!

I fully understand that these things don't work for everyone-but perhaps they might help some? I eat a vegetarian diet, and since taking these I can tolerate raw fruit and veg, and seeds too!

And even if it's just a placebo-it's helping!

Now I just have to find something to get rid of this stonker of a cold I've caught and it'll be all sunshine and kittens! yeah
Posted 7/20/2015 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
2g is not a lot of mesalamine orally, you could probably increase the dose. I think it's great if probiotics work for you. it's also possible that you just had a couple iffy days and the probiotic didn't do anything, but who knows, better to take it than to risk getting worse,
Posted 7/20/2015 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
The consultant wants to keep me on 2g, a 'recommended' dose according to NICE..! I was taking Mesalamine (Asacol) before that, but suffered severe headaches and very little improvement in my symptoms, and after a few months I was switched to Olsalazine (Dipentum) and seem to have reacted much more positively. Aside from the 5-ASAs and steroids they are reluctant to consider any other form of treatment.

In my mind I kind of think I just had a couple of 'off' days, but I'm going to keep believing I'm finally in control rather than it being in control of me!
Posted 7/20/2015 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I always listen to my gut rather than any doctor or other person. And have quit trying to attach a reason or explanation to why something works or doesn't work. If it works do it.
Posted 7/20/2015 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Get a new doctor. Probiotics are actually becoming mainstream for gastro problems, obviously your doc is behind the times. Who knows what other kinds of advice he is feeding you.

As far as your cold goes, check out our numerous threads about getting your blood level of vitamin D checked.
Posted 7/20/2015 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I believe you. I don't like the sound of your doctor though, I'm not sure I would want to see a doctor that openly scoffed at my comments, and didn’t take my opinions seriously, it's just plain rude. I am happy that you are feeling better.
Posted 7/20/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I always thought it was stupid that with a disease with no known cause and no known cure that doctors scoff at patient's opinions.
Posted 7/21/2015 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
I would stick with the probiotics and get rid of the doc. I had a specialist like that. Two appointments - the consult, where he was rude, condescending, arrogant and dismissive - and the colonoscopy, which he botched. Not surprising really. If somebody's a jerk to deal with face to face, what's he gonna be like when your back is turned?

"Are you a scientist?" God that riles me.

Here's a quote, an old fave, about science:

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." - Herbert Spencer

Post Edited (the thinker) : 7/21/2015 12:16:24 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2015 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your positive replies!

Thankfully the guy I saw last time isn't my regular doc, but if I get stuck seeing him again I will call him up on his attitude-though I may just contact the clinic and ask that I don't see him again (He was also running just shy of 4hours late-not great!)!

I'm definitely going to stick to the probiotics-they really seem to be helping me, for the time being at least!

@thethinker - that quote is great! I will definitely make a note of it!

:-)
Posted 7/21/2015 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
He asked if you were a scientist. Ask him if he is a true doctor. Do a google search on “ulcerative colitis probiotics” and you will find tons of information on the efficacy of probiotics. Show him some of this research and then ask him why he doesn't know anything about it.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3033537/
Posted 7/21/2015 1:12 PM (GMT 0)

IamCurious said...
He asked if you were a scientist. Ask him if he is a true doctor. Do a google search on “ulcerative colitis probiotics” and you will find tons of information on the efficacy of probiotics. Show him some of this research and then ask him why he doesn't know anything about it.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3033537/

I'll admit, I did find it odd he seemed to know next to nothing.. he mentioned a man who did a study in Bulgaria, but that's it! I only started on these because of what I'd read online. My usual doctor is great and thinks everything and anything is worth a go!

Fingers crossed I'll see him next time! I'll be sure to tell him what I think of his colleague!!!

I think too many docs are too quick to disregard things that are more natural-I understand the need to 'developed' and researched drugs, but sometimes nature helps more than anything else!
Posted 7/22/2015 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Doctors choosing to be ignorant to the possibility that a patient can be more informed on a topic than they are in the internet age is laughable.

Yes, you may have been to med school, how long ago? If they don't keep up with modern research they're not doing their part.
Posted 7/22/2015 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Last doctor could not even pronounce sulfasalazine calling it sulfazine repeatedly.

He said I was pinning my hopes on Morgenson. I said instead of pinning them on biologics working for me I am following Celgene Corp pinning 7 Billion dollars on the drug when they bought it.

I have never gone back.
Posted 7/22/2015 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor is one of the most respected GI's in my area (I've heard this from many sources). The main reason I like him is because he seems to admit that he doesn't know crap about IBD. I remember on my first appointment he steered me to the CCFA and suggested if I researched there and other places (like the internet) I could find a lot of useful information. I took this to mean I was screwed and would have to figure things out for myself. I appreciate that he didn't try and throw a bunch of false sunshine up my butt and give a bunch of, "there there's - everything will be alright" crap. I don't need any false beliefs because that gets in the way of finding the truth and making progress. I'm sure some patients wouldn't like this approach but, in my opinion, any GI who thinks they know it all when it comes to IBD doesn't really know jack crap. All the best experts in the world all really say the same thing - they don't know the cause and they don't know the cure, so what the heck do they know?
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