probiotics stomach upset

[PopandMo]

Hi, I was interested in trying probiotics, namely Kefir to help restore gut microbiome since the Lanzoprazole destroys them. The dietitian recommended this too, as did my surgeon. I already eat lots of live yoghurt with no problems. However I’ve been getting a lot of wind and diarrhoea since I started kefir. I don’t know if it’s coincidence as I’ve been stressed lately etc. Anyone else tried this or have any experience of probiotics? I’ve no trouble with other dairy so it’s not lactose related. Incidentally I’m just over two years post Ivor Lewis. Thanks.

[Spikey]

After my surgery in 2007, I took high strength probiotics in tablet form for two years without any problems. However, I also went dairy free on the advice of my dietician and gastro-enterologist. I still eat very little dairy.

[PopandMo in reply to Spikey]

Did you find dairy upset your digestion, would you say you feel better without it?

[Spikey in reply to PopandMo]

It's hard to say. I had three cycles of chemotherapy followed by surgery followed by one further cycle of chemotherapy, all of which damages your gut. I was given some professional advice, which I followed, and made a good recovery. Dairy products are a known gut irritant and many people who have had gastric surgery become lactose intolerant. I still can't eat anything containing a lot of cream without feeling ill with acid reflux or dumping, and am dismayed when I see people, including some dieticians, recommending adding double cream to soups and mashed potato to combat weigh loss. But who knows? Everyone's different. It's trial and error.

[xmasbabe59 in reply to Spikey]

I'm very interested in your post as I think I may have become lactose intolerant since my oesophagectomy two years ago.I found dairy easy to eat and calorific so beneficial to counteract weight loss but, over the last 12 to 18 months, I've suffered unpleasant digestive problems.

I must admit I eat a lot of dairy so not sure if it's the amount I eat or that I've become lactose intolerant.

I didn't realise that some people become lactose intolerant after oesophagectomy. I'll look into this further but feel your post has helped me enormously and yes , very much trial and error.

[PopandMo in reply to xmasbabe59]

Always worth checking out with your dietician. Might just be coincidence, and a shame if you enjoy dairy. As others have said, sometimes it’s trial and error to find what’s upsetting the digestion, or if it’s just a phase with the new “plumbing “. Good luck!

[PopandMo]

yes that all makes sense. At least with fermented products, much of the lactose is converted in the fermentation process. I’ve never really had any problems with dairy.

[Susanc241]

I take Lansoprazole for GORD but also have a Kefir drink every day as well as live yoghurt in my diet. I haven’t had any side effects from the kefir. I have also had my gallbladder out (10 years ago) so I do have to watch what and how much I eat at any one time. I suggest leaving out the Kefir for a week or so, see if the problems subside, then restarting and see what happens. Good luck.

[PopandMo in reply to Susanc241]

Things seem to have settled down now so I guess it either wasn’t the kefir or my gut has got used to it! Thank you.