Hi,
I've just read that Actimel etc are a big no no when having chemotherapy (makes sense now I think about the 'live yoghurt' - might explain my recent trip to hospital!!!).
Does anybody know if this is the same with probitic supplements?
Thanks
Val
I was told to avoid all of those at my pre-chemo assessment. Along with pate's, soft yolk eggs and unpasteurised cheeses and milk.
LA
I was told about the other stuff, but don't remember any mention of live yoghurt, but it does make sense.
Oh well, live & learn!
They showed me a powerpoint presentation, and probiotics and live yoghurt was mentioned, my hubby ate the fridge full of activia, she told me to stay with mullerlight and similar. So I have. Although they also said avoid take aways and after posing the question it seems I was pretty much alone with that lol, so had a chinese.
LA
Oh no Lily-Anne I've been merrily eating pate and soft poached eggs. I wasn't told anything, well I was given a large folder but it's in Norewiegan, as we are living here at the mo and I can't read it!!! Maybe I should rethink. Ignorance is blind and all that. Oops
Michelle
Hi Val, I was never told about probiotics and I have Activia every day, helps my bowels and I have never had a problem, lucky so far. x
My oncologist actually recommended using yogurts when off treatment so I now and again make an effort to have some. Actually I dont use much dairy at all apart from milk in my cuppa. I would have Activia or Actimel when the mood hits me but it doesnt hit me too often.
Thanks, but what about during treatment?
I think go with what the other ladies were saying, maybe until you are finished treatment. I know it does help the gut but unless your Onc team says its okay, dont do it. I think that is the best option
I was also told to stay away from live cultures of any description during chemo xx
I was told that too during treatment and also stay clear of bloody steaks xx
Oh no. I like the odd Activia. Did I read somewhere that soya milk is a no no as well?
Asked my oncologist a few months ago about probiotic supplements and the answer was a big NO - some of them are not to be taken when you have a picc line as they may cause infection. Even for Ultra-Levure, the most common probiotics, you generally get when having antibiotics in France, it’s clearly stated in the documentation that comes with it that people with a picc line shouldn’t take it.
The advise I received was that normal yogurt was fine, but no probiotic supplements or yoghurt with added cultures.
And no home made yoghurt, lol.
I remember my GP surgery being contacted as they had given me a 'live' vaccine during treatment.The nurse at the surgery insisted I had it even when I questioned it. So please check your vaccines as well. Fortunately I had no side effects.
I didn't do probiotics during chemo but introduced into my recovery. I stopped most of my supplements too. Although the level of probiotics in probiotic yoghurts is minimal and some suggestion that most are no use anyway as your stomach acid gets to them before or reaches the gut and therefore a better quality probiotic is better than shop bought yoghurt, so with that in mind I can't see it being a problem, but maybe you should air on the side of caution until treatment is over and look at reintroducing once treatment is over. Another thought is that probiotics may not thrive anyway as your body is being attacked by chemo?
I wasn't told anything about this. I don't usually eat the other things and only have goats milk yoghurt and nothing has happened to me. Well, as far as I'm aware that is. What would happen? Don't say diarrhoea because I do get that..,,,, I did read somewhere on the web about undercooked eggs,so I've taken care my scrambled eggs are as well done as poss. Not had any soft-boiled eggs since the chemo started.
In the information sheet on diet and chemo I was told to definitely avoid all probiotics and to only eat hard boiled eggs, which made me sad as I love soft scrambled eggs!! Also unpasteurised cheese which unfortunately includes Brie another of my favourites. Ah well, the sacrifices we have to make while being treated for this horrible disease!
All the best to everyone,
Barbara
ovarian cancer chemotherapy 
chemotherapy followed by maintenance avastin
Started chemotherapy yesterday
Start date for Chemotherapy at last
First reoccurrence chemotherapy not worked
