To worry about taking probiotics for digestion?

[Sienna333]

I need to get my gut bacteria back on track but am worried taking probiotics will make it worse. Has anyone got any positive/negative experiences based on taking them?

[Bella8]

You're done to take them as long as you only take them for the recommended days I think the actively drinks say something like 14 days (don't quote me on this.) I actually find they work for me.

[Bella8]

fine*

[Bella8]

actimel*

[FriendsFriendsFriends]

No, I suffer with terrible ibs and have found that probiotics (I take tablet form) help immensely with bloating and spasms. It seems to just keep reactions a lot milder than they would be without.

[RemainOptimistic]

Actimel is shit. Get some proper pro biotics capsules with a mix of bacteria. Help massively take for 2 weeks or so.

[Sienna333]

My issue isn't cramping, just I have days where I constantly feel I need to have a bowel motion and when I do it is only a tiny pebble. Interspersed with that I can have a fairly normal BM. I feel like my digestion is out of wack even though the 3 weeks after my stomach bug I was fine. I need things to resettle and hoping probiotics will help. I have heard some cause gas and even bloating....

[Bella8]

Actimel worked for me so I wouldn't call them 'shit' like a previous poster so nicely put it

[Bella8]

If anything I find the tablets can cause bloating as they're too potent

[Sienna333]

Yogurt always makes me feel a bit sick, no idea why. I tried that a while ago
:(

[Hohofortherobbers]

Probiotics give me the worst smelling wind ever!!

[Sienna333]

Hmm, Maybe a no then :(

[madeyemoodysmum]

I use home made farm type yogurts but also apple cider vinegar is good but organic only with the mother

[Alabasterangel6]

I could be wrong but I’m sure there was a significant study a couple of years ago which proved that the drinks and yogurts do not contain any beneficial levels of any of the cultures, so effectively they are pretty pointless. It might be worth some research.

If you want to take the capsules then you maybe could try with acidophilus? That will help replace any missing gut fauna.

I’m about to finish a course of antibiotics. I’ll be starting acidophilus as soon as the course is over to get things back to balance.

[CaveMum]

I read a piece by a GP once that said you get better results using the tablets/capsules as a large percentage of the bacteria in the drinks and yoghurts are killed off by your stomach acid.

Whenever I take antibiotics I also take these Acidophilus tablets to counteract the effect on gut bacteria: www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-acidophilus-chewable-tablets-60005721

[Alabasterangel6]

cavemum - snap!!

[CaveMum]

Great minds and all that Alabaster

[Sienna333]

It's so difficult knowing what to do for the best. Last thing I want is more discomfort (Not in pain but it is uncomfortable feeling constipated and delicate in the stomach)

[KickAssAngel]

I had c-diff a few years ago and was prescribed pre and pro biotics to help restore my digestive tract. I did go through a period of intense heartburn but after a few months got better.

[YoloSwaggins]

Probiotics did diddly squat for me but digestive enzymes are amazing.

[Upsettummy]

Very timely thread this. Hope you won't mind me diving in with a related issue.

I had a nasty bug or something a few weeks back - horrible stomach ache, shivers and chills the first day, so I had to take to my bed with a hot water bottle and could hardly eat for the best part for a week due to combination of no appetite, and fear that anything I ate would go straight through me, which is what it felt like as I had the constant shits!

The shivers/chills etc. went fairly quickly, the tummy ache lessened over the ensuing days but the bowel issue was incessant. No nausea or vomiting - just constant diarrhoea. By the fourth day I'd had enough and bought Imodeum for the first time ever and some rehydration drink and things seemed to settle down.

Over the next couple of weeks I got better - fairly normal, regular bowel movements, although I was still wary of what I ate and drank, and then last Wednesday for no obvious reason that I can think of, I got the shits again. As I was going away for the weekend I had no choice but to dose up on Imodeum again to control it (and it did keep it at bay) but now I've stopped taking them the diarrhoea is back. Not every single time I go, if you see what I mean, but yes - it's frequent and still here.

I don't have any other symptoms at all - just the trots basically. Reading all kinds of stuff online - IBS (and worse!) and probably not doing myself any favours.

Trying to think logically, I'm wondering if the bug is still lingering or if I have an infection or maybe or there's a problem with my diet? But I was fine before that week, so would your diet suddenly start causing problems, or would you suddenly develop IBS for no reason?

It's all so confusing. I have been eating natural yoghurt and having those pro-biotic drinks (but to be honest they don't seem to make any difference) and I also have a daily spoonful of apple cider vinegar although I'm not sure whether that's doing good or bad as it tastes so rank and leaves me with horrible heartburn for a few minutes afterwards.

Read online that a course of probiotic tablets might help especially if it's a bacteria issue, so was thinking of trying it.

If anyone can offer any help or advice re chronic diarrhoea I'd be grateful.

Hope I haven't hijacked thread!!

[Sienna333]

UpsetTummy, that sounds a bit like me. After the bug I had, I had 3 weeks of feeling great but just last week I had a few days where I was constantly on the toilet producing a pebble poo at a time and this happened about 8-10 times. Even on the days I have been ok I still feel the need to constantly go. It's not diarrhoea but my stomach is still not right and I wake up anxious every morning wondering how I am going to feel each day :(
Like you I don't understand why I was fine for 3 weeks and now it's playing up again.

[JeremyCorbynsBeard]

I drink kefir everyday, which is packed full of many different types of bacteria. You can buy it in health shops, but it's very easy to make your own. My digestive issues have improved massively since taking this. Check out Donna Schwenk on YouTube and UKkefir on Facebook.

[Melony6]

Dr Michael Moseley tried Bimuno on his bbc prog, it was recommended to aid sleep, it is a probiotic.
I started taking it mid summer and feel it is improving my digestion. I felt slightly contispated at first,or at least stools were firmer, but it is innocuous stuff so easy to take and I will continue taking it. The problem there was probably not drinking enough water.
It is being developed by Reading uni so not some expensive healthy eating supplements firm.
Coincidently my DH has had two very snotty colds since the summer and I caught neither. I am going to take it all winter for that reason alone. You take a sachet a day.

[specialsubject]

Go see a doctor, obviously.