9 replies to this topic

[Anonymous1010]

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Ive had ibs-D for years and I recently tried a new probiotic. I had it custom made based on a submitted stool sample. So, I was optimistic this would finally be my magic bullet. But, instead, it gave me terrible D. And my immediate thought was to give up and stop. And I think thats a natural reaction to having D: Ive got things to do! I cant be bound to the toilet!

But, Im always wondering if its the right move - to stop a probiotic that produces bad results. So, my question is: how long a chance should you give a probiotic before giving up because its causing D?

I dont feel like Ive ever found a good answer to this question anywhere. Ive just seen a lot of conjecture about herx-ing and potentially having good and bad bacteria battling for territory in your guts. Or about pushing through a transition period...

I could keep going with any probiotic that doesnt seem to agree with me at first, but how long should I give it? How long is fair to say: it just doesnt work for me? Or should I just go with my bodys initial reaction: its making me worse, stop taking it?

[bushja1]

I would give it a couple weeks.   That said,   I've tried all kinds of probiotics and none have ever helped.   Hope you have better luck. 

[Anonymous1010]

Thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated. Do you think there is any value in trying an extra slow introduction? Like, starting with like a tenth of the dose, and gradually increasing? Or do you think that once the body has had a negative reaction, it probably will not matter at what speed the probiotics are introduced—it is probably going to remain negative?

[bushja1]

Maybe put a call in to your doctor.   He would give the best advice.   I know with fiber they always say to start slow but probiotics I don't know. 

[Anonymous1010]

I wish my GI doc had answers to questions like this. They seem as lost as we do sometimes. It all seems such uncharted territory for the medical field—even the specialists.

[Athan]

Never had D from probiotic.

 

At worst, they have zero effect.

 

At best, I have an improvement of varying degree,which lasts for as long as I take the probiotic.

[Trudyg]

In my experience, not all probiotic strains 'work' for what I need.  You want as broad a spectrum as possible.  Even then, once you stop taking it, the effects will stop unless you take something like kefir (which can actually repopulate the gut) and that you need to take for a very long time for it to repopulate.  Unless you do kefir enemas (read Dom's kefir site).

[IBSSuffering24]

From a scientific standpoint, I think you must consider that probiotics are only speculated to help symptoms.

Since IBS is largely your own psychology causing physical abnormalities in digestive motility and sensation of pain, the mechanism of action for probiotics will only work to help if #1) You believe they will work (placebo effect, but also enhances real effect). #2) You have candida overpopulation or bacteria overpopulation in the small intestine. 

 

If your stomach issues are caused by bacteria, probiotics will repopulate good bacteria to battle the candida or other bad bacteria that is causing inflammation or giving you a flareup. Studies done on  the effectiveness of probiotics on IBS-D usually have patients take the dosage (which varies) for about 6-8 weeks. 

Some studies give a positive correlation, and some say no effect.

from the studies I've read, probiotics are helpful for symptoms like pain and inflammation, but not shown to be effective for Diarrhea UNLESS it is caused by bacterial overgrowth, or is "travelers diarrhea".  More studies need to be done.

 

If your IBS-D is more related to stress, there is a chance that probiotics will not help you, but it never hurts to try. 

[AZGuy]

I never had any luck with probiotics. I felt they often made me worse, and I've tried multiple brands and strains. Doctors have no clue about any of this. 10 years ago they discounted probiotics and wouldn't even recommend them. Now they offer it as a solution.

[Zoltar]

b coagulans and some other soil based probiotics are meant to be better for diarrhea than lacto bacteria