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How to choose the right probiotic?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/29/2016 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! I've been struggling with my recent flare for around four months. Right now I'm feeling about 85% - 90% of my normal, so not yet in full remission. I am hoping probiotics could get me there. As I had UC for five years now, I've tried probiotics in the past. I believe that a number of times they contributed to achieving remission. However, as I've tried to introduce probiotics into my regiment this time around, I seem to have a bad reaction each time. Here is what I've tried so far:

Ultimate Flora - 35 billion - tried for 3 days - gave me bad gas and bloating
Culturelle - 15 billion - tried for 1 week - gave me gas and bloating (I used it two years ago with great success)
Homemade kefir - 1/2 cup per day - tried it for 2 days - bad gas, loose bm
VSl#3 - bought, but too scared to try...

I am wondering if any of you have tips/experiences to share when it comes to choosing a right probiotic. Are some strains more beneficial than others? How long should you try a probiotic before giving up? Can a probiotic worsen a flare?
Posted 12/30/2016 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly, I don't know if this will help you or not but the only way I can take a probiotic is if I take it at night, right before I go to sleep. If I take it during the day or once I wake up I have terrible pains, gas, and D pretty much all day. Taking them at night seems to bypass the painful process and I'm pretty much fine during the day, maybe an extra BM or two but nothing crazy.

Also, the probiotcs I take are the Nature's Bounty Probiotic Acidophilus Tablets. I don't take them religiously because I also make my own yogurt with active cultures (obviously) and eat that for breakfast every morning with some granola. If I eat two jars of yogurt (normal sized yogurt containers) I get stomach pains, gas, etc. so that is my reasoning for not taking the pill and eating the yogurt together everyday.
Posted 12/31/2016 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
don't be afraid of vsl because it's the best probiotic for uc. I use it interchangeably with primadophilus reuteri which is also very good. Now, i've been thinking to buy hyperbiotics pro 15 for a change because i've read some good reviews of it on the Polish uc forum
Posted 12/31/2016 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
My Gastrointerologist had recommended Align about 5 years ago - he said there was a specific strain of bacteria in it that warranted the extra cash it cost compared ot the other ones. Been pretty happy with it
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