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Hello all, It's that time again-- The Probiotic Discussion! 

I went through old forum discussions and the most recent probiotic discussion I could find was dated a year ago so I'm posting a new one.

First, I want to start by saying I'm NOT attempting to endorse ANY company's so I will simply state that I have had pretty decent success with a yogurt product that contains a probiotic- has anyone else?

I have noticed other's mentioning a probiotic that is in a vitamin form. I don't know much about these- could anyone elaborate?

I am prediabetic as well as prehypertensive with a history of (very) high cholesterol and Trans-Ischimic Attacks; I already take medication for high cholesterol and high lipids. I couldn't POSSIBLY take a steroid...that would NOT be good for the conditions I already have and manage well. With the success I have had with a simple probiotic yogurt, I truly believe remission is far more possible than physicians give credit where credit is due and a holistic approach is feasible.  Keep in mind this is what I say for myself...I do not believe this is a "One Size Fits ALL" disease and therefore it is NOT a condition that allows for a "One Size Fits ALL" cure so what works for me may not at all work for anyone else.

Thanks

Reply posted for MrWeston.

Hey everyone! Excellent read. I've been looking into gut balance with the use of probiotics. I've done a ton of research and found this product Biofit that claims it may promote weight loss, gut health, digestion, and also improve strength. Tell me what you think? I need your opinion. I've been taking for 3 days now and it seems to be working well.

https://bit.ly/2ZEvmVZ

Reply posted for ameschwen.

I have and it has helped me considerably more than other probiotics. I think the fact that Florajen is refrigerated, really helps to maintain its ingredients in better conditions when compared to the other ones that are sold at room temperatue. 

Reply posted for hearleymaria13.

I also take time and it easy and reminds me.

 Reply posted for mom5.

Hello Everyone,

I started taking VSL#3 (2 capsules daily) 5 weeks ago.  When I first started taking the probiotic, I was still on prednisone (due to a flare) and a number of topical treatments (Apriso, Colazal, Canasa, Rowasa).  I finished taking prednisone earlier this week and I'm doing okay, but my stool has become a little loose and I'm starting to feel gassy.  So, I'm wondering if increasing my dosage of VSL#3 would be a good idea (on the instructions it says that people with UC should take 4-8 capsules, while my gastroenterologist instructed me to take 2 capsules daily).  I'm going to ask my gastroenterologist what I should do, but what do you all think?  I'm curious to hear what's worked for other people, so any comments or suggestions would be helpful. 

Thanks!

 Reply posted for aringo.

Hi,
I am also taking VSL#3. Do you take the whole envelope at one time? or 3 times a day?
Thank you,
Maria

 Reply posted for mom5.

Hello, I was diagnosed with Crohns disease 26 years ago. I've had one surgery (2001). I've had multiple flares. I'm currently on Remicade and mercaptopurine. I have been working as a firefighter for the past 18 years and my job can be stressful and physically demanding at times. Right now I'd describe myself as "just getting by" and I'd like to do better. I'd like a recommendation for a good probiotic (brand name please)? I've heard about a multi-level probiotic?  I'm also looking for any other natural supplements that could help me out? Anybody had success with Boswellia? Tumeric?   Thank you in advance!

 Reply posted for mom5.

Hello! I would like to speak with you about a more natural approach to your disease. I have had crohn's disease for 4 years, being on and off of damaging medication and this natural approach has been life changing for me, and i would love to share it with you! If you would please email me at brittanycurrey@gmail.com

 Reply posted for mom5.

i have been diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis although the syptoms i read here suggest more of a sigmoiditis because i have the bleeding stools and pain in my lower left abdommen etc  i do not get regular checkups and in fact havent seen the doctor in years  because i have no medical insurance furthermore i cannot afford the ridiculosly high prices of these medications i was taking the canasa suppositories but only when i can get them as samples from the dr which is not on a regular basis and also then they want to examine you again first which i cannot afford  so my question is which probiotic would be best for me to try also any advice on diet and nutrition what i should be eating and what i should stay away from i have noticed a difference for the worse when i drink milk and when i eat spicey foods so i know pretty much to stay away from them also does anyone else have that horrible no energy feeling that i have where every thing you do feels like such an effort like even getting out of bed or making coffee it is horrible any advice on how to get rid of that feeling and get some energy back really not good as i need energy to work  thanks

 Reply posted for aringo.

Thanks @aringo. Someone else just recommended the VSL#3 to me so I wondered if it was the same brand. I am going to look for it. She said she found it at our Walgreens in the Pharmacy (non Rx though). Thanks!

Hi @crohnsmommy,

I started with the brand Ultimate Flora from CVS, which started my remission almost right away. I stayed with it successfully for  several months until I finally found the brand that the book recommended, which was the brand VSL3. I'm still using the VSL3 now & I've never gone back to any other prescriptions or meds. 

I think either of these two will be just fine. Try one for a little while & see if it makes a difference for you. All be best of luck!

 Reply posted for aringo.

@aringo- do you mind sharing which brand you have been using that works for you? Thanks.

Hi mom5: Thanks for bringing up “the probiotics discussion.” The really important thing to remember about probiotics: Taking a multi-species probiotic – with multiple strains of bacteria – can be much more effective for your health than eating foods that probably contain dead microbiota (like most yogurt). Glad to read that your health has improved, and you know that “no size fits all” when it comes to health solutions.

 Reply posted for mom5.

I have tried several different probiotics.  Everytime I do real good for about 2 weeks, then I start having problems.  I end up having to go on antibiotics to sterilize and then slowly re-introduce bacteria to my system.  I just can't tolerate them, they get out of control in my system.

I would personally vouch for probiotics since they're the reason I went to remission about 4 months ago after suffering with UC for about 5-6yrs  (wish I tried them sooner).

A friend sent me a book titled "The complete guide to digestive health" and it had some great naturalistic tips on various IBD diseases. One of the tips suggested to try for UC was the Probiotics. Although the book recommended a particular successful brand, I couldn't find it in a nearby store (although I saw that they sell online) so I settled for what I found over the counter with similar properties (i.e. 30 billion bacteria). This was apparently the most precious purchase I ever made!

After forking almost $500 per month out of pocket for Asacol, & then Apriso, this $28 bottle of probiotics toppled everything else with its results for me. The brand I got was easily available at any CVS - and I only take 1/day. Although I also take 1 Culturelle capsule a day (also an OTC).

I believe the secret with Probiotics as I learned from the book, is the amount of bacteria you're receiving in the body. I saw that some probiotics may not work for other people because of the levels/amount. I was already taking Culturelle, which only has 1 billion, but wasn't doing much difference for me. But the probiotic with 30 billion finally did it for me. Whichever brand you pick (if you want to try probiotics), I'd say read the label for the (high) numbers/amounts of bacteria.

--> Oh, the book says that the probiotic they recommend has 4 strains of Lactobacillus, 3 strains of Bifidobacterium & 1 strain of Streptococci, providing 450 billion live bacteria in each dose!

I'm now flare-free, more money in my pocket, & have added a much needed 20 pounds! (I had lost about 70 pounds at my worst level with UC). I'm enjoying my life a whole lot more now & wishing you all the best!

 Reply posted for mom5.

I am wondering if anyone has heard anything good about Florajen Acidophillus?

 Reply posted for mom5.

There is ample evidence to show that probiotics can help to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease for some people, but they are not a panacea that works for everyone. This is no evidence--beyond scattered personal anecdotes, which do not constitute even suggestive evidence--that probiotics can put someone into remission or that they can substitute for medications for which there is voluminous scientific evidence of clinical effectiveness; if you can't tolerate steroids--and this is understandable--you might ask your doctor about biologic drugs like Remicade or Humira, or seek a second opinion from another GI doc who might be more attuned to a variety of possible medications. If you do take a probiotic, you should consider taking one that is enteric-coated so that the beneficial bugs have a chance of actually reaching your intestines and doing you some good--with conventional probiotics without enteric coating, the good bugs are destroyed by stomach acid and never reach your intestines. You should also keep the probiotic refrigerated to ensure maximum potency. FInally, in addition to the usual strains of probiotic, you might consider using saccharomyces boulardii, which is available from various companies--there is some evidence suggesting that it can help to alleviate symptoms of IBD. See the following: 

1. ^ Guslandi M, Mezzi G, Sorghi M, Testoni PA (2000). "Saccharomyces boulardii in maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease". Dig. Dis. Sci. 45 (7): 1462–4. doi:10.1023/A:1005588911207. PMID 10961730. 
2. ^ Guslandi M, Giollo P, Testoni PA (2003). "A pilot trial of Saccharomyces boulardii in ulcerative colitis". European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 15 (6): 697–8. PMID 12840682.