probiotics and proctitis

Do probiotics help a person with proctitis?

Do probiotics reach the rectum?

Thanks for any insights!

L

Probably not in a topical sense regarding it being able to sit there and so its thing.....I don't think the rectum's process of bacterial proliferation is the same as the other parts of the colon...since it's not involved in the processing of stool, etc. It's pretty much an "out" chute.

I use probiotics, and like to think that it's keeping my colon in floral balance.

I think it will help with gas production....that in itself can put pressure on the rectum...helping in other ways.

q

I am a long sufferer with ulcerative proctitis, diagnosed in 98. When hospitalized in 2008, my doctor prescribed Flora Q in the hospital. After being discharged, I went to the pharmacy with a script for it but it is sold OTC. Actually, it was quite expensive. I went to a nutritionist who recommended Powerdolphilus by County Life and I order it online. I take two a day with food. Some people say it is not good to take a probiotic with meals, but this specific brand suggests taking it with food.
This is my dilemma.......I've been flaring more often than not since my last hospitalization. Remicade failed and I started Humira ten days ago. Not getting any better but not any worse either. The day I started Humira, my GI doctor said NOT to take the probiotic! Well, I take one anyway. I cannot see where it is hurting anything and if I can keep this darn disease from creeping up further into my colon it is a plus.

I think Q said it: if one has proctitis, the probiotics might be a good way to keep the rest of the colon happy.... and that's a very good thing to do.

Again...what floral balance is needed in the rectum? I would assume something, but what exactly?

I think using 5ASA rectal meds is still the best bet for rectal inflammation....using fibre supplements and probiotics will help with the flora as well as keeping the mucosa in good condition.

I'll discuss it with the doc on Wednesday when I see him and ask how it all works considering not much sits there for any length of time (or should for that matter, regarding stool).

A dilema for sure.

q

Thanks for all of your insights!

Quincy, if you get any info from your MD, please post it. I am really doing my best with Natren probiotics - healthy trinity - and I was thinking of trying VSL, but maybe that isn't the answer for proctitis.

I just can't seem to quash this problem at the very end of my rectum and it is really a pain in the can!! I have so much tenesmus that I feel like I am sitting on a rock all day.

I am going to try the enema technique that you described for me in another post.

Thanks again to all!
L

Quincy,
I have been on the enemas for about 8 weeks - blood and mucus has cleared up, but the tenesmus and swollen feeling at the very very end/ anal area still persists.
But...
Since you gave me some instruction about positioning the enema lower, I have had two days without the tenesmus and pain. Hold on while I find some wood to knock on!

Anyway, I am going to see how things go with using the enemas the way you described. Maybe if I am having tenesmus during the day I could use a Salofalk suppository.

Thanks so much for your help and I hope this discussion has helped others.
L

I've been taking Probiotics and Astaxanthin for the last three weeks and just got a flare up last week. I dont think the flare up has anything to do with the medication - I think it was to do with the effects of over-doing Christmas. Anyway, the probiotics and astaxanthin have definitely helped my stomach, as I suffer a lot with indigestion, but as yet, there's no suggestion they're helping with the flare-up. I'm trying so hard to avoid medication, as I'm sick of it. I've every possible thing up there in a drawer and I can't deny they help (to varying degrees), but I don't want to be left wtih a life of sticking stuff up my bum or taking oral medications and having liver function tests.

Has anybody got any good suggestions regarding food please? I've come off wheat, dairy and alcohol since Christmas and increased my intake of fruit and veg, brown rice, herbal teas and all things good for me, but although I feel better in lots of other ways, my rectum isn't thanking me yet. I need to take the dogs for a walk, and I'm afraid I won't make it around the block without having an accident!

     I really don't think they help proctitis but like someone else said, they may keep the ulcerations at bay.  I suffered with proctitis for twelve years before finally having surgery.  During those years, my GI doctor had me on Colazal for maintenance.  I flared way too often for the two years prior to my surgery and became prednisone dependent.  However, the sad thing was, my colon was not bad at all!!!  All I had was minor diverticulosis in the colon, but my rectum was badly diseased.  So, the 6MP, rectal meds, Colazal, Remicade and then Humira did nada to keep the proctitis in remission.