Hi everyone hope you’re all doing ok
I’m keen to take probiotics low dose daily just for a month or so as been on antibiotics etc .. does anyone know if I can take them whilst on a biologic Tocilizimubab and 12.5 Methotrexate?
Does anybody else take them for a natural gut health boost ?
Thank you
Claire
I don’t see why not... I’m drinking polish kefir which is a probiotic/prebiotic (from tescos’s) and am on MXT and Amgevita. Might be worth checking with your rheumy though in case it cause issues with something you have or are on.
NHS don’t rate them highly, but say they are safe for people with healthy immune system.
Kefir, natural Greek yoghurt and oats probably as good as anything else, and cheaper too. Lots of rubbish in health food shops as not classed as drug but supplement so not checked as rigorously.
Thank you for the link will definitely look into Kefir as agree to easy to be ripped off just so many on the market these days .. thanks
That’s why I get a polish one from Tesco ... it’s a fraction of the price way better for you and nicer and not all dressed up as fancy stuff. It’s a polish friend of mine who told me about she had breast cancer and got into eating sensibly and not following fad nonsense.
It’s interesting what you say there. I always go to the Polish section of our Tesco to buy coconut milk (for curries). It is half the price of the stuff in the Asian section and has less rubbish in it. Bizarre!
I have probiotic yoghurt but not every day and not sure how effective they can be, but my doc and rheumy said no harm with what I take as I’m often on abx so should try and pro biotic after antibiotic.
I have been having probiotics for the past year and I think they really help me, especially as I’ve had a lot of antibiotics over many years.
I make my own kefir and have it in a daily smoothie for breakfast. I also take a probiotic supplement daily.
I have osteoporosis too so the kefir smoothie is a good way to get some calcium each day and help my gut.
Why bother spending money on supplements....eating healthily is your best way to ensure a healthy gut?
But if you do decide to go ahead...do speak to your rheumy nurse & tell her exactly what you are thinking of taking.
Any probiotic, herbal or “natural” substance can play havoc with your RA drugs...so make sure you don’t taking anything unsuitable.
Many people take a course of probiotics after they have had to take antiobiotics as the latter can play havoc with the gut flora and cause an overgrowth of candida albicans and other yeast infections. Some people are more susceptible than others to these gut problems and find them beneficial.
Of course eating healthily is advisable but antibiotics can throw a spanner in the works of the gut which can take a long time to rectify with just food alone!
But I agree it's sensible to seek proper advice before taking anything like that.
I second the kefir and live yogurt suggestions....but then I do have a love of dairy 😀 I also tend to take probiotics after I’ve had antibiotics as I’m very prone to yeast infections. I find Optibac pretty good.
Thanks everyone the problem with kefir is I’m dairy free 😬 but I notice they do a dairy chocolate one in Sainsbury’s may give it a go
Coconut milk kefir exists. As does probiotic coconut yogurt! Try the Live Kefir Company online for a decent coconut milk kefir xx
That's my problem too! I found an Alpro dairy free probiotic drink in Tescos before Xmas but they've now stopped selling it - so annoying.
Do read the labels of probiotic drinks sold in supermarkets very carefully. Most of them have not much of benefit in them, and are high in salt and sugar. They say vague things like millions of live bacteria...which is meaningless. A teaspoon of live yoghurt contains millions of live bacteria...
So true. And the non-dairy versions are often full of junk, unfortunately. Or that’s the excuse I used for abandoning my attempt at going dairy free, anyway 🙂
Well whatever you do, don’ go for almond milk. Hugely damaging and totally unsustainable product!
We basically have abandoned all “substitute” foods as most create more problems than they solve. Everything in moderation and as close to the original product and source as possible....
I do drink Almond milk but switch to oat too , sorry to question not being rude just wondering why you mention almond milk is hugely damaging ? This site is so amazing for info like this thank you
I get so frustrated that so many of the 'good for you' type of products are no such thing! I'd much prefer 'proper' dairy but am intolerant to the milk protein Casein. However, I've found The Coconut Collaborative do a dairy free live yoghurt which seems ok... it's all a minefield🙄
I have been making my own kefir for about 5 years now, from a live culture, I do use organic whole milk. I believe the fermentation process helps breakdown the lactose content. I am on so many medications that potentially upset my stomach, I’ve found it seems to settle my stomach. I only use it on my breakfast, either oat based or organic puffed rice for a change, adding seeds including milled linseed, dried apricots and fresh berry's. X
I’m on methotrexate and plaquinell and take a probiotic every day
Tim Spector speaks about probiotics a lot. His research has shown that probiotics are great. Kimchi and Kefir. Over the counter ones are not so great though. Having tried Kefir, think I’ll pass 😂😂😂
I like kefir and find it helpful. I’m currently on ciprofloxacin so I can’t have my kefir (or any dairy) within 2 hours, and I’m feeling the difference. Ah well, it’s only another week.
Probiotics when on metal and biologics for RA? 
Does Kefir and Probiotics help with RA/RD? Link attached
Starting methotrexate
Conflicting information 
