Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Prebiotics/Probiotics/Digestive Enzymes

Personally I found them to be overpriced and would never pay a company $40 to be able to buy their products. But with all due respect to the company they DO have some stringent, impressive quality controls.

Well, since I've been doing things she instructed me on and taking pre and probiotics, food enzymes, bioflavinoids, irritable bowel fiber (their formula), etc., and have been eating broccoli, raisin bran, oranges, apples (sans skin), mangoes, pears (sans skin), dried fruits (apricots, peaches, dates--haven't tried the figs yet), along with carbohydrates and chicken, fish, salads and occasionally organic beef, I have felt so much better, both energy-wise and gut-wise. I still let gas go, but not as often and the "stools" (in my case "bupkas") are getting softer and they want out of my body more times a day than just once! And I've been drinking herb teas all day--licorice root, red raspberry, decaf green tea w/lemon grass, camomile, peppermint--all brewed together and I use honey and Stevia as sweeteners. Trying to get off the artificial stuff. One of the Nature's Sunshine products (I believe it was a probiotic booster, whatever that is) uses Manitol and Xylitol, so if your on it you're still using artificial sweeteners but not likely a large amount. How well I know about the dangers of Xylitol. I sweetened some hot cocoa last week with Xylitol and thought I was going to die from cramps and D...and I'm NEVER a D. My husband just looks at me in disbelief, but as long as I don't "stink" him out of the bedroom (or any room for that matter), he doesn't care what I do as long as I can conquer this thing! LOL

When I first started, the gas was levitating me about 3" off the floor and at about 5 mph around the store. Now, it's happening less and less. I guess my gut is getting used to all the new stuff I'm sending down.

So, you guys and gals out there in IBS Land, have any of you ever tried this approach and if so, what results did you get, if any? And, did you stick with it and give it enough time or get disgusted the first week, like I almost did?

I've been on prebiotics (usually Acacia or Inulin) before a meal, and probiotics and digestive enzymes with every meal for well over a year now, and yes, for me it works. It isn't an occasion thing either....I take it very seriously and wouldn't think of a full sized meal without the addition of probiotics and digestive enzymes. My "good doc" got me started on large doses of probiotics and bioflavinoids and a few other things with each meal, and a friend that also has IBS got me started on digestive enzymes. No gas, but there still is bloating. I don't think that will ever go away unless I eat my meals spread out over 8 small mini-meals a day.

All those things you mentioned I do not have a problem eating either, except for oranges, and of course anything with gluten or that is advised against for a person that is hypothyroid. But, no matter how long you are on the routine of taking those things, there will be times when you think you can get away with NO high soluble fiber foods...and that's when you can get bit!! I've had it happen a number of times when I thought I could go without any bread (GF), or rice, or potato or other highly soluble food...A week or 2 or maybe even 3 of that and my gut said "enough is enough"...so even though you will be able to reduce the gas and cramps and eat a wider variety of foods you always need to remember this basic diet and adhere to it when you start getting out of control with the insolubles. At least this has been my findings.

Thanks for your responses. Sorry this post was so long, but you know me!! I'm just as bad...long winded as they would say....Kandee

Sharon Mello
(Always hunting for answers)