Have you tried any probiotics that work?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

So the backstory is that I need to gain a few pounds because I'm underweight right now and really lacking in energy. The problem is that my digestive system is "bad". I get a lot of stomach pain, constipation/diarrhea, indigestion, gas and bloating (sorry TMI). I've had the investigation where they put a camera down your throat before, and nothing was ever found. Plus its not a new condition, I've been like it my whole life, though its definitely gotten worse in the last few years. I would say my diet is mostly healthy though I do drink too much coffee. I very very rarely drink alcohol nowadays, simply because the stomach pain isn't worth it!

So my next avenue to try is probiotics. They're expensive, particularly if you stay on them, but if they give relief I'm willing to throw money at the problem. Can anyone reccomend any? (or conversely, are they a waste of money in your opinion?)

Honestly OP most probiotics aren't worth buying as they don't stay in your gut for long. Not worth the expense. Better to get your bacteria from food, as much variety as possible.

Have you tried going gluten free? I was having a lot of digestive issues that culminated in diarrhoea and a couple of scans before realising it was gluten causing all of it. Since cutting it out, no more bloating or digestive problems. I'm not coeliac, either. Like you I am now very underweight and need to gain weight. I drink Ensure to help with getting more vitamins in, it's easy to digest, but if you aren't keen on milk products you may not get on with it.

During my diarrhoea phase I ended up going on a very bland diet so cut nearly everything out. That's enabled me to add foods back one at a time and keep a record of any symptoms. It's very helpful to keep records.

You may need to try to improve your digestion so you could try some diluted lemon juice before meals.

The other thing that has always helped my gut is porridge or oat ban . I make it with water in the microwave, and make sure it's really gloopy, and then add frozen berries (defrost in the porridge) , nuts and seeds, as well as kefir and yogurt.

If I miss it my gut just isn't the same. I'm also someone who sometimes has to eat to keep my weight up.

I tried switching to chia seed porridge and noticed my mood dipped after a week. That's happened twice recently. I swear the oats help some type of something in my gut biome. (Goggle says they do help gut bacteria.)

I used to eat oats quite a lot but I've gotten out of the habit. I should start preparing them at night for the morning. I'm definitely interested in the gut/mental health link. I tend to be quite an anxious person, the type to check the door is locked 3 times etc, and I would say that when my gut was better and I was a little heavier, I had a decrease in anxiety. Or perhaps it was the other way around 🤔.

Bless you. I have the reverse problem! I'm taking symprove OP. I
Might have a 50% off voucher for a 3 month trial if you want the code?

Suffered with similar for years. Managed to turn it around recently. These are the things I took/did.

Shot of freshly squeezed lemon juice every morning. Mastic gum tablets really helped my stomach pains, took for 3 months. Also recommend symprov probiotic drink, I did a 3 month course. I made smoothies for breakfast using half a bottle of dairy free kefir adding in slippery elm powder to help my sore stomach. I don’t have to do all this stuff now as my gut and digestive system seems to be a lot better. I still stick with my lemon juice and smoothies though, just to keep everything ticking along nicely.

I also now eat alot of sauerkraut to keep my gut happy. Hope this helps.

@PeridotSparkle how kind of you! I would like it but only if you can't use it yourself.

Alflorex or zen flore were reccomended to me by women's health physician and women's health physio
Theres seemingly research behind them.
Moreover I found them excellent - cleared my gut symptoms and helped clarity of thinking and mood

precisionbiotics.ie/product/alflorex/

I m in Ireland though and not sure if they are availabe in the U.K.

I didn't think they would work, found that when I started taking them there was a few days of discomfort which I assumed was a change in gut flora - and then it was much improved
My symptoms had been uncomfortable tummy, pains bloating and swelling

Kimchi is another thing it’s easy to make as can be £4-£5 in Tesco, but fermented foods in general really help. Waitrose as tonnes of vadasz brand fermented stuff.

I find kefir does give me more energy - I have subscribed to chuckling goat for ages but it’s expensive. They’ll all tell you though to rebuild your gut health through supportive food.

fermented foods in general really help

This is what I had heard. Sauerkraut is cheaper than probiotics!

I’d definitely be wanting to rule out gluten and dairy intolerance though - my dh has a dodgy gut and we’re about to get him tested for dairy intolerance as, the older he’s got the more digestive discomfort he has. Which would make sense if you’ve been eating the wrong things for years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000v3g2

Not true- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6117398/

I am under an NHS specialist for recurrent invasive thrush. I’ve been told that Symprove are the best you can buy - but expensive- closely followed by Biokault. I’ve been taking 3 Biokault daily for months now alongside my Fluconazole treatment and I think it’s definitely making a difference.

Daily probiotic from Feel Vitamins

Thanks for the experiences. I have started Kefir this morning (and resumed oats). It was okay, I didn't love it but I didn't dislike it and didn't feel sick after, so will persist. I also bought some BioKult.