Tagged As: Probiotics Ibs
Question:
I have a profound interest in Crohn’s and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I would like to throw out this question to the group. For either condition (Crohn’s or IBS) is there anyone that has seriously tried Probiotics (healthy and friendly soil organisms along with the standard Acidophilus and Lactobacillus) for any length of time along with or without standard conventional treatment? Has this approach helped anyone? It would be most interesting to find out.
Answer:
I have but only now take probiotics only one I have to take antibiotics as I saw no difference when just taking them every day. I do eat yogurts though but not daily. Before this last surgery I was on probiotics for 3 months at least and ended up not noticing any difference with it. I am on Pentasa (and some other meds) at a maintenance dose and can tell with it that it helps. My last surgery, a little over two months ago, was exploratory and no damage from Crohn’s was found to require another resection but I did have 3 1/2 hours of scar tissue removed from all over. Jarro was the only brand that helped me. I’ve tried many. I take it before I go to sleep so it can work on the intestine all night. Probiotic enemas make a big difference during a flare. I have colitis. I used acidophillus for a few months 4 years ago. Before that I had a lot of gas and smelly feces. It helped me a lot there. (I have had Crohn’s for 22 years, from I was 12 years) I also use acidophillus after antibiotic treatment. After antibiotic treatment like Flagyl I feel the bacteria balance is wrong. Flagyl kills a whole range of bacterias. Both good and bad ones. I'm feeling sick and often diarrhea and smelly feces after antibiotics treatment. Acidophillus helps me there. 1-2 weeks with acidophillus and the balance is usually restored. Getting the bacteria from yogurt might work for some but be aware that A) A LOT of Crohn’s patients are Lactose intolerant to some degree. Often without knowing. Also keep in mind the following, B) only a few yoghurt contain the same bacteria as in probiotic products and will have little effect. I got this advice from a nutrition specialist. Not all doctors are aware of this. C) Last but not least most yogurts are added sugar, a lot of sugar. This is not good for a healthy digestion. I have UC and I've been taking Probiotics for almost 3 years. I do feel that they help and that they are an important part of my treatment, which also includes several medications along with dietary modifications. I take my probiotics in supplement form and use a product that contains 5 different strains of bacteria. There are many brands out there and they don't all contain the same types of bacteria. It is also quite possible that different brands may work for different people depending on the nature of their intestinal flora. Also I read somewhere that different bacteria may inhabit different areas of the intestines. If that is true then that might explain why different probiotic formulas work better for some because it may well depend on where your disease is. This is just a thought but it makes sense to me.
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