ANOTHER QUESTION ON KEFIR

[field]

Is it s.afe to have kefir drink when on immune suppressors as it contains live bacteria and yeast? I am on mycophenolate, prednisolone and Hydroxychloroquine. Does anyone drink it whilst on these meds?

I would appreciate any info.

thanks

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi field ,

I've had a look at immunosuppressants are listed as a potential interaction and precaution when having kefir.

"Kefir contains live bacteria and yeast. The immune system usually controls bacteria and yeast in the body to prevent infections. Medications that decrease the immune system can increase your chances of getting sick from bacteria and yeast. Taking kefir along with medications that decrease the immune system might increase the chances of getting sick."

[field in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you for that Paul.

I think its best if I wait until my flare is under control and off these meds until I venture into it. its just my ibs is very bad at the moment due to the meds. and I was hoping to get some relief.

I have checked about having yogurt with my meds and that's ok. I have been having yogurt regularly with no ill effects. I will continue with this until I am able to have the kefir.

many thanks.

[PMRpro in reply to Paul_Howard]

I realise it is a lot more expensive - but the advantage of the commercial supplements will be the selection of bacteria included and I'd imagine there is no yeast in them. The idea of them is to replace depleted good bacteria - without which the immune system struggles. The best advice though for anyone is: ask your specialist!

badgut.org/information-cent...

drugs.com/mtm/vsl-3.html

This study was done in patients on immunosuppressant drugs:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

and they concluded it was safe.

[field]

Thank you for this valuable information PMRpro.

much food for thought in my decision making.

[Hidden]

Wow this question is so timely for me! I was just about to post asking what on earth could be making me feel so sick - in very much the same way as I was when I got ill with Giardiasis over a year ago, after living in a house with an untreated water supply while on Prednisolone.

I'm on Mycophenolate and three nights ago we had a homemade curry and my husband bought a bottle of Kefir - which I split between us without a second thought. Ever since then the nausea and tummy problems I had when I had the Guardiasis have returned and I feel lousy - bloated and nauseous with pale hard motions (sorry for detail) spent yesterday in bed feeling something terrible was happening to me - so sick/ nauseous with sweats and chills.

Was about to post asking whether - after tolerating MMF very well - I suddenly wasn't?

So I will give my guts a chance to recover now as I too have been flaring and it's quite likely that the kefir was enough to tip my fragile GI system back into a bad place. Fingers crossed this resolves - and also that your flare settles down soon -and please don't risk trying Kefir!

[field in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that.

I too am very sensitive.

So will have to wait. The vsl3 sounds very good so when i am able i will try this one, i will have to start very slowly so i dont shock my system.

its a case of being between a rock and a hard place. Kefir helps the gut which ultimately may help your immunity, however i cannot take because i may currently make myself sicker because of meds i am on.

What a bummer!!!!

[Hidden in reply to field]

Yes it is a total bummer! Honestly I was really panicking until I read your post. I was fine on Methotrexate for the first six months when suddenly, from increasing from 15mg to 17.5 I suddenly started getting really sick every week and caught every bug going . I was taking Hydroxy too. My rheumy switched me to injections and they helped for a while but then the nausea started to defeat me again - all week. So then I was on Hydroxy alone for four more months and a slow form of anaphylaxis started - after 18 months. Then I had Pancreatitis from Azathioprine. So Mycophenolate is my last immunesuppressant that I will be allowed and this last few days has had me petrified. Really hoping it's a blip triggered by the Kefir and things settle down again once it's completely cleared my body. I've decided to just stick to a liquid diet for a few days. X

[Silvergilt in reply to field]

it could depend on the kefir; anything milk-kefir would make me feel pretty rough, and I had a similar reaction to Twitchy on kombucha, which does indeed have some negative connotations. My advice would be to try the vsl3 first, then see how you do on it, before switching to fermented foods. It's a delicate balance, and if a body takes time to get used to something it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, unless the symptoms are prolonged.

[Hidden in reply to Silvergilt]

Are you on immunesuppressants too Silvergilt? I'm still feeling a bit under the weather and nauseous three whole days since having a glass of this Kefir which my husband bought in a supermarket - bog standard fare.

[Silvergilt in reply to Hidden]

Yes I am. I'm on Benepali (which is an etanercept derivative). Although you say you drank an entire glass? Ouch Yes I definitely would have only done maybe about a sip to start out, then slowly build up over time. For people with healthy systems they can maybe dive in, but we certainly can't. I hope you recover soon. Stay hydrated!

[Hidden in reply to Silvergilt]

Okay thanks for clarifying (oops that may be a bit of a double entendre re clarifying?!). It was only a small bottle but we got a glass each into which I stirred in some organic honey. Still not feeling right - desperately hoping it's not the start of Myco imtolerence. You have reassured me it is probably the Kefir though. Drinking tons as always!

[field in reply to Silvergilt]

Thanks. I will start with the vs13 when i decide to start as i am very sensitive to yeast. In mean time i will stick to yogurt which does not have a negative affect on me.

Thank for your response.

[Hidden in reply to field]

Does your yeast sensitivity include vegemite/ marmite Field and breads too? I've been eating more bread than usual lately because of having rediscovered our old bread maker - using only organic or spelt but includes baker's yeast and I often have it with Vegemite. Have had so many problems at both ends but assumed these must be part of my connective tissue disease rather than diet related because changes in diet (sticking to very wholesome foods) still hasn't helped my IBS-c at all?