Probiotics

[arvine]

just wondering if folks out there taking a probiotic, I have had IBS for years, when I was on a higher dose of pred, in beginning 2 1/2 yrs ago, my IBS symptons seemed ssettled quite a bit, now down to 7, having intermittent problems again, so about to start taking a probiotic, anyone out there using probiotics while on pred

[SnazzyD]

Hello, I think Pred does do funny things to some people’s intestines apart from the stomach issues. High doses gave me diarrhoea just once the next day. That settled as the dose came down to a period of calm. Then my guts were very unsettled between 7mg and 3mg in that they didn’t know whether they wanted to be under or over active. Lots of my other bits of my body were not happy either. I didn’t have IBS but find probiotics and now anything from the cabbage family upset the apple cart so I don’t bother but that’s just me.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Was the IBS ever investigated to be sure it wasn't something inflammatory that was causing the symptoms?

[arvine in reply to PMRpro]

well all I know is I was diagnosed years ago with IBS, which is inflammatory bowel syndrome, far as I know, they have still not determined what causes IBS, have been told could be many causes, stress, sometimes diet, etc,

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to arvine]

No, IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome, just a cover-all name for the symptoms - and they are supposed to rule out inflammatory bowel problems as a cause for the symptoms as they can be similar. A lot of doctors just say "IBS, can't cure it, you'll have to manage it..." - instead of making sure. The fact you found it improved at higher doses of pred just makes me wonder if really your IBS is due to inflammation.

[arvine in reply to PMRpro]

oh, yes, it is irritable bowel syndrome, but I was told I had this years ago, and the only tests ive had throughout are, colonoscopy( also have diverticulitis) and those other tests, where they pump that stuff into you, forget the name right now, and of course stool tests, been told there is no other way to diagnose, just go by symptons, so yes, suppose could have and have time to time, inflammation of the intestines or colon,

[ClarkB in reply to arvine]

I had/have diverticulitis. My doctor suggested Symprove- in liquid form. (I take Mango flavour). I find it helps, but see reviews online. Is expensive, but have taken it for around 5 years.

[ClarkB in reply to arvine]

Symprove is a UK company. May be an equivalent elsewhere.

[Asbeck in reply to PMRpro]

Wow. Thank you. I never thought of that. My IBS seems to have abated considerably in the last 5.5 years. Took Pred. all those years. Now I am between 3.75 and 4.5 mg. and holding with no IBS. But I did change my eating habits as well. For me no IBS is a good side effect. That and my nails. The rest is not good.

[Rose54]

Hi

My son does not take Preds but for last 6 Months has probiotic daily and IBS has been much better

[arvine in reply to Rose54]

oh thank you, im definitely going to get some and try

[YuliK in reply to arvine]

I think you would be better to take probiotics

in liquid form rather than tablets/capsules ..

it's in little white bottles. ( it will also give you that extra calcium that most of us lose whilst taking press. )

[arvine in reply to YuliK]

ok thanks Yulik

[miss-philosopher]

Probiotic AND Colostrum really helps my stomac. amazon.com/NOW-Foods-733739...

[miss-philosopher]

I also buy empty gel capsules and put the pred tablets in....couldn´t do without ...

[Casia]

Many people with IBS actually have undiagnosed coeliac especially those with other auto immune conditions. On average, people with coeliac have it for 13 years before diagnosis . A blood test and a biopsy are needed for accurate diagnosis. I was diagnosed at the age of 58 having had hypothyroidism for 30 years and now PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Casia]

Often because their doctors are lazy and don't do the rule-outs they are meant to before saying "IBS" - like PMR it is meant to be a diagnosis of exclusion - exclude everything else first... But it can also only appear in much later life like any autoimmune disorder.

[Dream21]

Yes. My IBS was aggravated, and I use Probiotics.