Cant quite reach 100% remission, questions about psyllium, probiotics and more.

Hello Everyone!

After quite a long period of remission, I am in the mid of a light flare which has been going on for a couple of months now. The increased dose of Mesalazine (4g per day and enema occasionally) does not seem to be helping to the full extent (1 bm per day, but I still feel occasional bloating during the day and notice some mucus in the morning), so I am planning to try some alternative stuff before going with the antibiotics (Metronidazole) that my doctor suggested.

Now, I have read a lot of positive feedback about Psyllium seed powder, so I just got some and I am definitely willing to give that a try. I searched the forum, but all I could find was tips about how to take it. My question is, what is the best time for taking the powder. Before, during or after meals? On empty stomach or not? How long to wait before or after consuming anything else?

I have also been trying some common probiotics (LA-5 and BB-12) without much success, so my doctor recommended Mutaflor which according to her is the only probiotic with proven track record against UC by clinical trials. What is the general opinion of Mutaflor nowadays? I read that several years back it was highly recommended, but then there were some controversies in Canada about the risks that it introduces. What is the best time to take Mutaflor and how should I combine/avoid it with the Psyllium powder?

In the last couple of months I have been eating mostly chicken and fish with rice or potato, oatmeal, eggs and some fruit and veggies which are low on insoluble fiber. Would you recommend trying anything else at this point when it comes to diet? L-Glutamine, oregano oil, trumeric powder?

Probiotics seem to be beneficial to some people but it's "different strokes for different folks". You should start with low dose of whichever you choose and then increase if no bad effects.

VSL#3 is the one in US with positive clinical trials showing benefits for UC. It's available by mail order. It's expensive compared to other probiotics but it also has much greater strength (more billions of biotics) than those sold over the counter. It helped me but some people say it makes them gassy. It comes in pill form (lower dose) and powder packets (they call them sachets). Definitely worth trying.

The other probiotic with positive medical studies is "Pearls" that have reuterii probiotics. You can get these on Amazon. I also had good results with these. YMMV

"My question is, what is the best time for taking the powder. Before, during or after meals? On empty stomach or not? How long to wait before or after consuming anything else?"

I'd take Psyllium when you have a full stomach. I take Metamucil after finishing my meal and it's a type of Psyllium husk. The crushed Psyllium seeds should be no different.