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Probiotics, yeah or nah?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/26/2015 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've read lots about benefits and have been thinking about trying capsules... But I notice the absence of a probiotic in a lot of your signatures.... Are there many bad experiences with probiotics?
Posted 10/26/2015 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Depends....it's trial and error.

What I use is in my signature. I also use Cardioviva which is a single strain of Reuteri since the absence of availability of the Primadophilus Reuteri caps.

I take them before bedtime...the ones I take are enteric coated, so no interference with/from meds.

q
Posted 10/26/2015 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't heard of bad experiences with probiotics; it's just that my disease was so severe no amount of probiotics (or more aggressive medicinal treatments) was going to significantly benefit me.

I take them regularly now and eat yogurt daily since I was on antibiotics during/after my first surgery (jpouch) a couple of months ago and will be on them again for my upcoming second surgery (takedown) to help rebuild some of the good flora in my system.

There are studies showing the scientific benefits of VSL #3. It is on the more expensive side but it could be worth it. In my opinion it was/is even though I ended up having surgery anyways.
Posted 10/27/2015 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have success with coconut kefir, which is effectively a probiotic (plus various yeast strains). I also make my own yogurt, which agrees with me, but doesn't seem to help as much as the kefir. I never found a probiotic that made much difference, including VSL#3.

Try a few and see. Many have success with Culturelle. Some do well with L Reuteri. Others definitely have positive results with VSL#3. And some people have adverse reactions to probiotics.
Posted 10/27/2015 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Probiotics are worth a try as they help some of us. Although they did absolutely nothing for me, even vsl ds #3, so they don't necessarily work for everyone. High-dose probiotics can cause gas and discomfort, so ease into them. For example, with vsl, start with a half of a satchel/packet for a few days then go to the full dose of the whole satchel/packet.
Posted 10/27/2015 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have a bit a Greek probiotic yogurt every morning and occasionally have a drink with probiotics later in the day. Neither is for any benefit, I just like them. I've only tried on in pill form called florastor which was recommended to me by my primary doctor. For me it didn't seem to help.
Posted 10/27/2015 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
VSL#3 was very beneficial to me for several years and helped me achieve remission. I do not take it regularly now but when things get off-kilter it's in the fridge. I also have several others (less expensive than VSL) including Cardioviva as well as Pearl, both have the Reuterii strain, and one or two others can't remember their names (too lazy to go look right now-maybe later).

I've had no luck convincing my gut to eat homemade yogurt or other probiotic food like kefir or sauerkraut.My gut had a meltdown with Florastor, bad news for me. That's the only probiotic that gave me a bad reaction although the ones with pre-biotics are not gut-approved either, IBS symptoms show up.

Every now and then I'll take a probiotic pill but have not found a big difference with my gut doing so well.
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