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?

I have used them for my daughter as she was getting constipated despite a very good diet. They’ve really helped. I’d definitely take them.

I wake up anxious every morning wondering how I am going to feel each day

I know exactly how you feel Sienna and of course if you've already got gut issues then anxiety just makes them 10 times worse. So far this morning I've been ok - but it's always at the back of my mind all the time and I do feel anxious all the time, and it is definitely affecting what I eat and when. I'm scared to eat on occasions in case it 'triggers' it off.

After further reading last night I've decided to keep a food/BM diary and see if there are any trigger / patterns etc, and try not to get too obsessed with my bowels haha - and not let the anxiety take over.

I understand what people say about seeing the doctor and of course I will if it persists, but my concern is they always seem to take a sledgehammer to crack a nut - for example last year around this time, I had a bit of an emotional meltdown - a sort of delayed reaction to my mum's death a few months earlier and they wanted to prescribe beta blockers! I declined and just focused on keeping myself busy and taking regular daily walks regardless of weather and gradually I got through it on my own.

You go in, they listen to your symptoms and prescribe medication and I've already proven that I can alleviate symptoms when necessary, with over the counter Imodeum. I'd rather try and understand why I'm getting it, and whether there is anything I can do to help myself.

Melony - what you've written about sounds interesting. I'm not the world's greatest sleeper either, which doesn't help. Once I'm asleep it's ok but I take ages to go off. Sometimes I've laid awake until 5am and I know that's not good for health - mental, physical or otherwise.

The dietician recommended probiotics for DS1 as his digestive system was still struggling long after his allergens/ intolerances were removed from his diet, and it was more settled quiet quickly after.

I've used them a few times after illness/ post birth laxatives. Antibiotics can kill off beneficial gut bacteria, and diarrhoea can flush them through so illness can disrupt the natural balance after the rest of the body has recovered.

My dd really suffers with constipation (which I personally link to prophalytic antibiotics she was on for the first few months of life) and seems to be worse with teething.

I have used probiotics with her but am unsure how effective they've been given we have to hide them in food.... anyway, I think the main aim with constipation is to just keep your gut moving before trying to do any 'healing'. We use half a sachet of movicol a day with her, more if she doesn't open her bowels for even one day. It's took a couple of months/hiccups but she's at the point I am now trying to introduce probiotics and might try her with fermented foods if she goes for it.

Upsettummy I had diarrhoea for 20 days recently with this bug I had. It makes sense that a LOT of good bacteria gets lost along with the bad. I just can't work out why we would both be ok for a few weeks.
Like you, I have also been ok today (So far) I do still feel pressure like I need to go for a poo but it's not as bad as it was. The feeling of needing to wee has lessened elsewhere. That was weird, when I felt constipated I felt the need to wee a lot too (I don't have diabetes).
Again, like you, I would rather hold off on the doctor for now. I have had 3 weeks off work with the bug I had and did a stool sample (Late on in the illness) which came back normal. I know Crones/Ibd can't be detected through a stool sample but according to someone on here, there is a protein which is detected which may suggest one of those diseases. That put my mind at ease a little but I am still a bit scared.
The only two foods I had different in my diet the past week has been mayonnaise, cream on hot chocolate and chilli doritos. Thought I was ok to eat them but clearly not. I am also keeping a food diary, I wonder if I just can't tolerate diary in very big amounts. Please do keep me updated with how you get on.

Thanks everyone for the posts x

I was (And still am) quite concerned I have chrones/IBD but I have no blood or pain anywhere and according to the mumsnet users who answered my last thread, that would put me in a very rare minority of people. Let's hope we are both sorted out soon x

I had a sensitivity to gluten for a year or so. But I suspect it was partly a distraction from the rest of my life when I was in a quite unhappy time.
If you read Dr Sarno The Mindbody Prescription (probably v cheap second hand) it give info on this. It may or may not chime with you.

Lots of my friends have tried The Gut Diet by I think Jeanette someone and all say it is tough but miraculous... it’s four week diet and I’m going to try it in jan.

They are all nice same people not diet fanatics which is why I’m intrigued!

Agree try tablespoon of kefir every day!

Look for a probiotic containing (or entirely composed of) L.Plantarum. It’s proven to survive stomach acid and is beneficial for IBS, anxiety and Crohn’s.

I have post infectious IBS. Taking L.Planatarum in a dose of 20 billion twice a day is one of the things that has allowed me to go back to a normal life. I also avoid a few trigger foods (onions, beans, wheat, large portions of dairy).

If you have an autoimmune condition, please look into probiotics carefully before you take them. Some of the most common ones (including L. Planatarum) boost TH1 helper cells, which can result in autoimmune conditions worsening. In that instance you might want to look at ones that contain Bifidobacterium Longum (infantis), B Bifidum, B Fragilis & L Helveticus as a preference.

Since I've been avidly reading online, I have discovered that 15% of the population suffer with gut issues. That's a huge number of people if you think about it.

Ironically having posted on this thread I have been fine the past two days. I also had a wonderful night's sleep last night, managed to go off ok and slept uninterrupted.

Whilst I definitely had an infection/virus or food poisoning or something a few weeks ago (that griping stomach ache, flu symptoms and high temperature weren't imagined) I do think that generally I do need to watch my diet. I am also inclined to be very greedy - but since being ill, I've curbed that and don't overeat.

The replies here are really interesting - lots of knowledgeable people and I'm learning a lot.

An autoimmune is what? Chrones and IBD?
Upsettummy I have been fairly ok past few days as well but it's horrible having to think about food and bowels all the time. I just want to be back to normal.
Keep us updated x

There are also pre-biotics which I have read feed the probiotics so you might like to try both.

Staff in health food shops are usually quite knowledgeable these days I have found.

I would also agree that the drinks and yoghurts don't have enough in them to do any good - plus they are quite high in sugar which you need to reduce.

Yes, I can't tolerate yogurt well either. Do wonder if I am a bit lactose intolerant as ice cream, cream and even tea (Which I have with a bit of milk) can make me feel a bit rubbish. Problem is, milk is in pretty much everything.

Will give it all some thought, really want to be back on track for Christmas.

I have IBS and for some reason, probiotics make me feel worse. I went a few years with no IBS symptoms once and started with a probiotic (why!?) and it took me weeks to recover. Maybe I'm just weird

I have heard that before, apparently it means you are in extra need of them but again, it's a risk if it will just make it all worse

So pooing issue/tummy issues more or less ok but now left with a weird 'bubble' type feeling at the top of my bumcrack (TMI, I know). Starting to worry it is something like anal cancer. Once again back to the doctors if it isn't ok in a few days :(

It cleared up for awhile. Cancer does not clear up. Are you 60+?

I may be completely off the mark and BU but do you have health anxiety, op? Anxiety and stress can cause stomach pains and lose stools and can trigger IBS.

*loose

UC and Crones come and go though don't they? :( I worry still that it was my first proper flare. :(
Yes, I do have health anxiety and having treatment for it.

No, I am 33

I have health anxiety and I also have bad digestive issues. Honestly, they go hand in hand.
You know it's the worst thing to do to write on here with health related worries if you have anxiety. It will make you feel worse, not better. People don't know you have health anxiety and will say the wrong thing and panic you, fuelling your anxiety.
If you want to talk about it, go on nomorepanic but not here.
Stop reading about IBD and read about anxiety and IBS if you have to. Even better, focus on anything else other than your tummy and you might just find it goes away

There are not (apparently) a sufficient number of bacteria in a probiotic drink.

You need about 20m I have been told and there's nothing like that in actimel.

Get capsules from somewhere like H&B or see a nutritionist.

I just can't help but panic that the episode I experienced before was my first IBD flare :(

The idea that paying more at fluffy Bunny towers gets you better supplements is deeply entrenched here - well done marketeers.

Pity it isn't true!

And see a dietician, the only ones regulated by law.