Help Need Safe IBS Probiotics and Safe IF preparing for surgery
#289862 - 11/13/06 06:23 AM
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LtDanFan
Reged: 12/17/03
Posts: 588
Loc: Ohio
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Hi,
Someone suggested probiotics sine I have having a majory surgery soon, when should I start taking them, (it), what exactly are probiotics and what kind should I get or try??
I do think one of my biggest problems with staying stable is my IF content, which I feel may be, at times, close to none, I get scared of IF, what is a safe dose per day of IF and what is a safe IF for most??? Please help or I will be in the looney bin before my surgery even gets here!!!
Thanks tons!!
Cheryl
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I only tried one type of probiotic and didn't notice any effect so I can't really recommend a specific one. Go to a health food store and ask them what they have, or check the refrigerated ones. Some people have suggested the BIO-K dairy-free ones. They come as soy yogurt containers. I'm actually going to give this type a try and will be picking some up today, I'll post if I have any noticeable difference from using them.
Probiotics replenish the good bacteria in your gut and help with digestion. Good bacteria are depleted when you take a course of antibiotics, so if you take probiotics at the same time it should lessen the effect. I would start taking the probiotics now well before your surgery, and continue them for 1 month after your antibiotics are done.
For IF it is really individual but here's what I do. Any vegetable I eat is cooked really soft. I'll have berries in my oatmeal or blended in a shake. I find it easier to eat a little bit with every meal and snack then trying to only eat it at supper time. So my day may go like this, oatmeal with some berries (as little as 4-5 if I'm having a 'go' day), strawberry applesauce snack, lunch is turkey with lettuce and tomato on white bread, afternoon snack of soup with pasta and cooked veggies in it, supper of rice, chicken and some cooked veggies.
Hope this helps,
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Kat
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Probiotics
#289866 - 11/13/06 06:57 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain potentially beneficial bacteria and yeast.
There is strong research evidence that shows the probiotics Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, VSL#3 and ProBatrix have a variety of theraputic effects. VSL#3 contains a mixture of Bifidobacterium (B. longum, B. infantis, and B. breve), Lactobacillus (L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and L. plantarum) and Streptococcus. It is quite expensive. ProBatrix contains the bacteria Escherichia coli M-17. I am not sure it is available from a HFS.
I would ask a knowledgeable individual at a HFS for a probiotic that contained a variety of species of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.
It is important to know that it can take 8-12 weeks or longer before probiotics show significant effects.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Re: Probiotics
#289869 - 11/13/06 07:08 AM
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K2
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 1191
Loc: Canada
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I'm so confused about Probiotics. I tried one type over the summer and after 3 packs (90 days) I noticed absolutely nothing. This could mean I don't need them, or that they were not effective. They were BIO-K non-refrigerated capsules. I was going to try the BIO-K soy yogurt refrigerated kind in hopes that I will notice something.
What is best to get? They come in powders (are powders refrigerated?), capsules, non-refrigerate capsules, yogurt.. so confusing!
I just don't want to waste my money trying a product again that isn't effective..
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Kat
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Re: Probiotics
#289871 - 11/13/06 07:21 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Excellent question. I have tried a number of them too. I have not found an effective either. The problem appears to be that manufactures stuff as many probiotics as they can into the formula without know if they are effective or not. I have been looking for probiotic blends that contains some of the species of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium mentioned in my previous posting. I have not found one yet. I would try VSL#3 but it is very expensive.
Generally speaking I would buy prepackaged doses in gellatine caps. I would keep them refrigerated. There is no harm in putting one or two in your pocket or purse to use later in the day. They are not that fragile but they should be kept cool for long term storage. If you can tolerate dairy then yogurt definitely is a good sources Lactobacillus acidophilus.
I am hoping to prepare an overview of the research literature on probiotics to post someday.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Re: Probiotics
#289875 - 11/13/06 07:32 AM
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K2
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 1191
Loc: Canada
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Thanks
Definetly no dairy! BIO-K has a dairy-free soy yogurt probiotic and I would try that one maybe. I can buy them individually so I guess it's not as much of a money-commitment. Wow the VSL ones are expensive.. Too bad probiotics aren't prescription medication.
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Kat
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What about Acedypholys??? Spelling may not be correct
Cheryl
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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acidophilus
#289879 - 11/13/06 07:38 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Yes - Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic known to have beneficial affects. You can buy in capsules at the HFS or you can get from yogurt if you are not dairy sensitive.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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but read the ingredients to make sure it's completely dairy-free!
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I live in Ontario, Canada. Have you found a good soy yogurt in Canada? Thanks, Debbie IBS-A
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I don't take probiotics and the last time I had to take antibiotics I did okay without them. If you'd rather be safe than sorry here's what I've gotten out of what I've read on these Boards about probiotics:
Kandee, whose advice I value greatly, says:
Quote:
I use Metagenics Ultra Flora Plus DF, but to tell the truth I've used just about all of them with success. VS#3 (I think that's the name) is supposed to have the highest count of good bacteria and a lot of people swear by it, but it IS expensive. It's one I haven't tried yet.
Kandee is also quite firm in her belief that we *should* be taking probiotics when we take antibiotics.
VSL#3 is the actual name of the other probiotic she mentions and I've heard it is terribly expensive but apparently it was the first probiotic that proved its stuff in randomized, controlled study. (web page)
My GI is a good guy and he suggested I try Flora-Q. It has a high count of 4 different bacteria and they come in pill form and they don't need to be refrigerated. (web page)
I also know a lot of people on the Board like Primal Defense. And or a while it seemed like a lot of people on the Boards were taking one of the Jarrow probiotics - Jarro-Dophilus EPS I think. These last two may be easier to find than the other ones I've mentioned.
Frankly, my inclination would be to take whatever is simplest to find at a somehwat reasonable price.
As for the IF, I think K2's suggestion is great. A little throughout the day rather than a lot all at once should be much easier for your tummy to handle.
To go back to another point you raised about your surgery, talk to your surgeon - or the internist who will be following you in the hospital - about your IBS. If they know you're concerned about constipation following the anesthesia and the pain meds, they may well prescribe a stool softener. (I think that's what the Colace Jen mentioned is.)
I hope this helps. I'm so sorry you're going to have to go through this surgery - and so close to the holidays. I hope all goes well with it and that you're back on your feet quickly.
Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Sorry, I live in Colorado. No idea what's available in Canada. I don't eat soygurt regularly - just when I was on antibiotics. I wish I could remember the brand name! Sorry I'm not much help. 
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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I'm reading this because just started 3 weeks of antibiotics. I'm having a serious brain freeze.......what is IF?
Thanks!
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IF = Insoluble Fiber
I think there's a sticky at the top of the board explaining all our weird abbreviations... 
--AC
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I haven't found any probiotic better than Natren's Healthy Trinity - 3 super strains- billions of CFUs. British Tennis player John Lloyd is their spokesperson. I think they have a site.
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