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How long to take probiotics before you can tell they are working?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/26/2010 5:15 PM (GMT 0)

Ok, I have this same issue with standard UC medication as well.  How long should I take a particular strain of probiotics to see if it is making a difference?  How long do they typically take to work?  Two weeks?  A month?

After how long should I determine the probiotic isn't really helping?

________________

CollegeGrad85

24 years old

dx'd with UC 11/2008

Posted 4/26/2010 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Depends on what one is expecting I guess.....I think one should notice some "change" in a few days.

I take my probiotics at night before bedtime on an empty stomach. about 2 hours after my meds.

q
Posted 4/26/2010 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Heather--thanks for the info.  I always wondered if it was better to take them on an empty stomach or with food.  I've heard conflicting statements on this.

jb2--which probiotic did you try that started working for you within a week?

Posted 4/26/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'd agree you should see some positive benefit within a week or two. However, folks with IBD often need higher (sometimes much higher) doses of probiotics than "normal" people who are taking them for health maintenance. If in doubt, it wouldn't hurt to contact the company and ask for dosage recommendations tailored to your specific situation and symptoms.
Posted 4/26/2010 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
I already responded to a different thread about my probiotic experience (basically positive).

I had a positive response within days with VSL#3. I had been taking a Lactobacillus acidophilus pill for 2 months prior and couldn't tell if it was doing anything (but it wasn't hurting) so I switched to VSL and glad I did. YMMV.
Posted 7/28/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I would recommend taking them regularly for a 3 weeks before really expecting to see full benefits. At least that's my experience.
Posted 7/28/2012 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
i notice my probiotics working very quickly but helping is another story. florastor gave me explosive diarrhea the day i started it, but VSL gave me a lot of gas for a few weeks before dying down. my favorite probiotic is renew life because i didn't experience any crampy symptoms or laxative effect. i also take it on an empty stomach with juice. i've read that if you take it with food, the acids in your stomach are so high that the probiotics probably won't make it down to your colon.
Posted 7/28/2012 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Once I finally found a probiotic that really had a noticible effect, I can tell in a week. Once in a while I will forget to put it in my weekly dispenser on Sunday. Usually by Wednesday I remember because I'm having more IBS problems - mushy stools, gas, etc.
Posted 7/28/2012 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
bananagirl, which renewlife are you taking? Went online there are many with different strengths.
Posted 7/28/2012 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
faithmac, i order a different bottle every time because i've heard it's good to rotate between different strains... i'm also indecisive and like to try them all! the one i am currently taking is Critical Colon 80 Billion, but I REALLY like Super Critical 200 Billion. it only comes with a week's worth of sachets but it's worth it to try it if you are in a tough flare. i also order the Advanced Immunity 10 Billion which is Sacro B. Most of the bottles come with a 30 day supply so I take one bottle for 30 days then move onto another kind.
Posted 7/28/2012 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Not a bad idea. Do you get gas from any of them?
Posted 7/28/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
RenewLife is the only brand i don't get gas from. i get a little bloating from the 200 billion one, but nothing bad.
Posted 7/28/2012 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I take Benebiotics on an empty stomach per the directions on the bottle.
The pills are enteric coated to survive stomach acid.
Check out their website for info regarding 18 strains and guarantee.
I take them with a few ounces of juice and a tsp of L-glutamine first thing in the morning.
Do not get gas from them.
Posted 7/29/2012 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Will check Benebiotic out! Just bought renewlife. Maybe it's a good idea to switch occasionally !
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