I take Optibac probiotics and can recommend them. Optibac do a range for every condition which includes one for those taking antibiotics. I also have Bronchiectasis and the improvement is amazing. They take a week or two to kick in before you notice the benefit. Currently I take the ones for Immunity, Sachromyces Boullardi and and Every Day max. (35 million in total). I don't work for the company 😁 it's just that the difference in my health is substantial. Actually it's probably the Immunity one which is having the best effect, as nowadays my usual very productive daily cough has decreased so much.
The capsules can be opened and mixed with cold drink (not fruit juice though).
Bodykind currently have them on sale at 25% off.
As you say Kefir is meant to be good for the gut as is Kombucha tea and plain yoghurt. Hope this helps.
I take acidophilus 20 billion culture ,but started of on 3billion culture its sold online or from Holland and Barrett .Start Lo was it can upset your stomach,i always buy mine when their on buy one get one for a penny ,costs about £12.00 for 3 month supply but you get 6 months supply when the offer is on ,feel tons better as I have bronchiectasis and have not had a cold since last December ,hope this helps ,by the way I have a lot more energy !
I'm also a great believer in acidophilus capsules but, if you're on antibiotics, it's important to take them at least 2-4 hours before or after the antibiotics otherwise the acidophilus will be killed.
You sound like a fab daughter. I have bronchiectasis and so have frequent courses of antibiotics. I also have IBS and SIBO and am prescribed VSL#, which you stir into water to dissolve. As the are live they have to be kept in the fridge. Some docs are reluctant to prescribe them as they are classed as a food supplement. They are very expensive but you can buy them at the pharmacist.
Am a great believer in Kefir. I make my own using ‘grains’ from a health food store (cant give you an equivalent as these are in france) you can then use goat, cow or soy milk for your preference. Very easy to make in a large sealable Kilner jar, stand in a warm place for 24 hours then chill and use. I also buy jars of fermented veg such as beetroot, carrot and radish, all of which help the gut bacteria. I guess these could be liquidised? I have felt a lot better since using these and also use a powder called Floradix from a great British company Nautres Best (they also do acidophilus capsules) a company which I have used for years for supplements of all kinds. I have been recently diagnosed with Bronchiecstasis too and am having a lot of antibiotics lately so am stepping up consumption of probiotics. You are doing a great job for your mum and hope this helps.
Cor wish I had a daughter like you on my side, I'm sure that your love, care and thoughtfulness help to make you mum feel better.
I get all my probiotics from Healthspan. They come post free in uk. I have Pro 5, Pro 10, Pro 20 & Pro 50. The latter when I'm really poorly. At the mo I'm taking the 5 billion & 10 billion on alternate days. They come in capsule form so could be broken open and sprinkled on (not hot) food. The company very helpful when you call, freephone, you could ask if the capsules are okay to open. We get little sachets of probiotic powder for the children from chemists IE boots, superdrug.
Several years ago I had a bout with Diverticulitis--the GI suggested fiber and a probiotic "Culturelle"(Lactobacillus +Inulin). I did attempt to use another cheaper brand but as soon as I felt the stomach pain I switched back. I have never had a single bout of that illness again. In addition I have had severe atopic dermatitis(eczema) since I was 6 months old. There were a few times throughout my life that I was almost in remission from the chronic itching but those periods were brief and short.
My late dermatologist was frustrated that the usual "treatments" --steroid injections, salves, mud packs didn't help and only intense moisturizers and oatmeal items had a slight calming effect.
It seems weird to not have really noticed ----but when I was talking to my pulmonologist and mentioned I couldn't take Embrel because I had a reaction to a TB test---she looked at me and blurted out --"What eczema?" "You're skin is great"!
And she was right. I hadn't had any itching/lesions/dandruff/ in the last two years. I had been "normal" and ridiculously oblivious ???
So the only thing I can think of is that after a good deal of time perhaps the probiotic lowered the amount of inflammation in my body. I still have a fatal allergy to fish , I still have some asthma and my IGE count is absurdly high ---but maybe current theories about the gut /good bacteria/ and inflammation are correct.
PS I don't know if the Lactobacillus comes in another form.
I think I saw an article a couple of months ago that said research had shown the beneficial effects of probiotic yoghurt on the gut over regular yoghurt were not proven!
{I still take mine until there is full confirmation but I'm not so fussed now if there's no probiotic on the shelves if I go to the supermarket. I live in Thailand so not much point recommending Thai brands!}
I take Bio-Kult Advanced multi-strain formula (14 strains). They are £16.98 at my local health food shop (60 capsules). I can't honestly say if they have improved things so am interested in the post from Titian8. Will look into that because I take Azithromycin through the winter for colonised pseudomonas in my lungs. I have Bronchiectasis. But the Bio-Kult was recommended by my dietician. I have underweight and struggling with that.
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Looking for the right antibiotic 
Sorry for repeat (1st time user)
LPR with Bronchiectasis made much worse I antibiotics 
Vitamin D
