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Your thougts on probiotics

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/22/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Many of you may have read some earlier posts I made concerning my 78 year old Mom recently diagnosed with UC. She is on asacol pills (6 a day) and a nightly enema. She was in the hospital due to kidney and sinus infections and just came home yesterday. Today she has had 14 BM's! Her GI doctor checked on her while in the hospital and he told me not to give her any probiotics-not even the kind in yogurt. I know other professionals say to take probiotics. I certainly don't want to cause her any harm but it just seems to be the probiotics are a good thing. Her dr. said what people don't know is that they are actually bacteria! I am so frustrated in helping her/researching this condition and her dr.'s just don't agree. Just wanted your input please.
Posted 2/22/2011 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
I take 1 Acidophilus pearl every morning. I don't know exactly what it does to help, but I do believe it does some good at the very least. Can't hurt to give my intestines a dose of good bacteria every day. I don't really ever feel gassy, bloated or constipated.

To be honest I started getting them because they were the cheapest OTC probiotic but after trying others I think they work best for me.

http://www.pearlslife.com/
Posted 2/22/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
You must feel so frustrated! When we work with a doctor, we want to be able to tow the party line, as it were, and do what they recommend... and here this doctor is telling you something you don't think you agree with (if I read your post correctly.)

I've had 3 different GIs, (my old one, my new one after I moved, and my son's) all strongly promote probiotics as "good bacteria." And as you may know, if you've read some of my posts, they work really well for me. So... to be clear, I am biased. (and I know there are some folks on this forum for whom probiotics have not worked - my personal experience is not an "absolute.")

So... it seems to me, you could see how your mom does without the probiotics, or you could give them to her anyway, based on your own research (have you read some of the articles on Medscape?) Either way, you are in the unenviable position of feeling responsible.

Does all that help at all....? I feel for you; my mom is 84 and relies on me for guidance also; just yesterday she was nauseated and vomiting when I spoke to her; I imagine she has a tummy bug, and I'll be calling her as soon as I think she's up. So..... I identify with you......
Posted 2/22/2011 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a strong believer of probiotics.

Unfortunately, many doctors don't believe in anything that isn't endorsed and making money for Big Pharma! I've learned that the hard way.

Anyway, probiotics are known to help all sorts of stomach/colon diseases, and even help those without any of those conditions, by keeping the intestinal gut flora healthy with friendly bacteria.

I take VSL#3, it's the only probiotics made as a medical food for people with ulcerative colitis. It contains the highest concentrations of good bacteria: 450 Billion cultures.

Ultimately, you have a bigger decision to make: whether or not you trust your doctor?

Good luck!

Posted 2/22/2011 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
My GI encouraged me to take them. He said that at worst, it wouldn't make any difference in my symptoms, but at best, it would help a lot. I think they do help me some--before I was diagnosed, I took Culturelle, and my symptoms improved a lot. I then slid back into the flare really quickly, all the while taking probiotics. But I still think they helped, at least for a while. So I continue to take them. They're not that expensive, and I know they're not doing any harm, so why rock the boat?
Posted 2/22/2011 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you posted this. I think my probiotics are too strong (I take Natren) or I just can't tolerate them. I seem to do better the morning when I don't take them the night before! So weird. I have diarreah all day when I take them. I'm going to lay off for a bit and see if it helps.

Thanks for posting so I can read what other think as well.

Posted 2/22/2011 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your replies. I am in disagreement with my Mom's GI doctor, and plan to begin her on probiotics today. We have an appt. with her GP this afternoon and I will quiz him on his thoughts as well. I think I will start with Align or Culturelle first. I figure advice from people suffering from UC will greatly benefit me as I care for my Mom. I am so glad I found this forum.

Songlady, you read me loud and clear and I thank you for your response. I am not familiar with medscape but will be checking it out now that you mentioned it. Thanks!
Posted 2/22/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...Definitely a huge supporter of probiotics, but I wouldn't suggest yogurt if she's sensitive to milk products. Actually, yogurt gives me lots of gas,so that's why I'm suggesting that.

What is your mom eating daily?

I would suggest basic foods to cover enough protein, carbs, etc, but easier on her system.

Natural factors has good probiotics...I used Protec for years..it was a good one for me.

I use Renew Life Ultra Flora Critical Care, but there are different formulas with less numbers.  This is a link to their site...I'm not promoting the prices or to purchase from there...just to show you the different products and for good information.

http://www.renewlife.com/probiotic-supplements.html

Hope your mom improves...I so feel for all she's going through.

q

Posted 2/25/2011 7:18 AM (GMT 0)

RollTideFan said...
Her dr. said what people don't know is that they are actually bacteria!

Haha! Good Lord!

Trust your own research. You are on the right track.

You are right and the doctor is wrong. Doctors just don't understand this condition. I have doctors in my family. Anyway...

Probiotics are great. They helped me a lot.

Low bacteria levels are what cause auto-immune disease.

Here a few brands that I used to use:

Sustenex http://www.sustenex.com/ I like this one a lot, you can get it at cvs, walgreens, etc.

Dr.Ohhira's

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=Q5-1002&sourceType=cs&source=FG&cm_mmc=Shopping%20Engines-_-googleproduct-_-Dr.Ohhira%27S%20Probiotics%2012%20Plus%20-%2060%20Capsules%20-%20Acidophilus%20/%20Probiotics-_-Q5-1002&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=Q5-1002

Jarrow's

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=JF-1022

This one's good because it eats candida, also made by jarrow:

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=JF-7266

p.s. you don't have to get these at vitaminshoppe. You can find all these at most local vitamin/health stores. They are quite popular brands.
Posted 2/25/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Jason Ryz. I read about the rare cases of sespis and that scares me tremendously. My Father had colorectal cancer and was in remission but got an infection that lead to sespis and he died 3 weeks later so that is the very reason I have been on the fence about the probiotics.

Primal: I still can't believe her dr. actually said that but he did!

I regularly go to a chiropractor and spoke to him about my Mom's condition a few weeks ago and he strongly suggested probiotics. I am going to talk with him again next week and revisit the issue of giving her probiotics or not. He sells a line of products so I am sure he will give some some options.
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