C-diff and CLL

[MyCLLJourney]

I have c-diff. Does anyone know if it is ok to take probiotics with a compromised immune system? Some probiotics boost your immune system so that is why I'm asking.

[Panz]

I have a very compromised immune system and receive IVIG every 4 weeks and I have take probiotics for years with my doctor’s approval.

I would just check in with your doctor to see they think.

All he very best with your C-diff….that can be a real challenge!

Panz 🙏🙂💕☘️

[MyCLLJourney in reply to Panz]

Thank you, I will check with my doctor.,

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

C-diff is a very distressing illness and can be hard to overcome in those who have good immune systems. Generally, I'd say that our understanding of probiotics is in its infancy and it's hit and miss whether specific probiotics can improve or worsen matters, particularly when you are neutropenic or at risk of becoming so. Eventually I expect that we will develop the science of being able to predict a customised mix of probiotics for an individual.

I haven't been able to turn up CLL specific studies, but here are a couple that unfortunately aren't very encouraging in terms of providing a clear result.

From: The efficacy and safety of probiotics in people with cancer: a systematic review

"Current dietary advice for neutropenic cancer patients is to avoid products containing probiotics, which is based upon bacteraemia case reports and manufacturers' recommendations [9], rather than robust scientific evidence."

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that there is currently insufficient evidence to claim that probiotics are effective and safe in people with cancer. Meta-analyses found that probiotics significantly reduced the incidence of CTC grade ≥2 diarrhoea, may reduce the incidence of CTC grade ≥3 diarrhoea, may reduce the average frequency of daily bowel movements and may reduce the need for anti-diarrhoeal medication, but most of the evidence is not clinically convincing, and they may be a rare cause of sepsis.

Retrospective Analysis of Probiotic Effectiveness in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Patients Undergoing Transplant Who Are Receiving Chemotherapy

jhoponline.com/jhop-issue-a...

Results: A total of 175 patients were included in the study. No significant differences were found between patients taking probiotics (n = 29) and patients not taking probiotics (n = 146) in terms of the incidence of febrile neutropenia (79% vs 71%, respectively; P = .337), the incidence of C difficile infection (10% vs 6%, respectively; P = .422), time to first fever (10 days vs 9 days, respectively; P = .606), or 30-day readmission rate for an infection-related issue (0% vs 7% respectively; P = .147). However, we found an association between probiotic use and documented infection (48% vs 29%, respectively; P = .04). Bloodstream infections (45% vs 21%, respectively; P = .006) were most notably increased in patients taking probiotics.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that probiotics lack benefit in preventing infections in individuals at risk for prolonged neutropenia and should not be recommended for use in patients without other indications for probiotic use.

Neil

[JigFettler Volunteer]

Don't self treat with probiotics.Ask your Drs first.

CDiff can be tricky.

Jig

[annmcgowan]

Hi take probiotics for IBS and asked my haemotologist about this when first diagnosed. He advised I remain on them unless I become neutropenic. We are all different so I would suggest you ask your CLL doctor.Let us know the answer you receive.Ann

[Panz]

It is my understanding you must have both probiotics as well as prebiotics mine that take has both.

Panz 🙂☘️💕🙏