Ian,I've lurked and read many of your posts/threads about probiotics. It's been quite helpful. I realize you have a standard message you copy & paste for probiotic questions, and that's been helpful, but I've read all that and I have some specific questions about Bifido family probiotics which I've been trying.Disclaimer: I realize it's different for each person's body. I'm aware that you can't tell me what will work for me, and I need to experiment... which is exactly what I've been doing, hence the questions.Symptoms: SIBO (tested positive twice on breath test), bloating, sensitivity to high fiber (eg green) vegetables, spicy foods, caffeine, lactose. Occasional loose stools, and constipation often, even without eating any of the above foods (unless I observe a Pimental-ish diet which I'm experimenting with as well, eliminating foods one by one).So, I started taking Nature's Way Probifia, which contains: Bifidobacterium breve Bifidobacterium bifidum Bifidobacterium longum Bifidobacterium infantisThis helped my BMs become more solid and generally only once per day. No longer did I have to go back for a second-round BM like an hour after the first, etc. I was also noticeably less food-sensitive (although I haven't tried leafy green veggies on it... those were visibly coming out in my BMs prior to this, so I thought best not to experiment too much). I did have spicy food once or twice, with very little issues! However I didn't feel the SIBO/IBS were gone really.However, during weeks of taking this supplement, I never had the Herx reactionNext, I read some things on here about Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, and decided to stop the Probifia blend and switch to Align for the 35624, as an experiment. I took my first Align pill at night, and the next morning I woke up with a very urgent bowel feeling. Went to the loo, and as I was sitting there anticipating my bowels emptying, I began to feel sweaty. Some stuff came out which was liquid-ish, and the sweats intensified a LOT... then a little more stuff came out (still liquid), more sweats... my palms began to tingle... I felt like I was going to either throw up, or pass out from light-headedness.I assume this was the Herx reaction? It was scary! Afterward I felt physically drained, still sweaty and dizzy. So I stopped taking it for now, after only one pill. Elsewhere I've read your suggestion to start with 1/4, then 1/2, etc. and I may try that.I've also read where you say the Herx often indicates that you've found the "right" strain to kill your toxins.Questions:1. If the Probifia is helping my BMs, but not giving a Herx reaction, is it really clearing out toxins in the way 35624 could do? Any ideas why Probifia blend would help a lot, but no Herx?2. Can/should I take Probifia (see above) along with Align (35624) ? Or is it better to just experiment with 35624 for a while, see what it does after the Herx is over, then decide whether it works better than the Probifia blend? (Any reason to use both together in the future, or not to?)3. If I want to take 1/2 of a capsule (eg Align or Probifia), is it okay to just take it apart, separate the powder, then put it back in the capsule? I thought these capsules had some sort of special coating so that the product can safely make it through to a certain part of the bowel.Disclaimer: I realize you can't give medical advice, I should ask my doctor, etc. Just looking for your personal opinions and thoughts.Thanks!Jordan