Probiotics with TB treatment?

[Dana02]

Does anyone know if you can take Probiotics with the TB treatment? As the TB treatment is so strong and it kills all the good bacterias along the bad ones I would think it would be good to take probiotics. Thank you.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert]

Hi Dana,

I would chat this over with your TB Nurse or doctor, just to be sure as I am not a medical professional, but my understanding is that this should be fine. It is important to have a balanced and nutritious diet whilst on TB treatment, as this both helps you tolerate the medication and regain the strength you need to fight TB.

Best wishes,

Helen

[Dana02 in reply to HelenC]

Thank you Helen. I did ask my nurse, but she didn't know about the probiotics and thought it was better not to mix. I will probably wait for the first 2 months of treatment and take them afterwards.

Thank you,

Dana

[Dw3832 in reply to Dana02]

Dana02 -- TB meds are prone to not "play well" with other meds. For me personally, I tried to take NOTHING that was not 100% necessary while taking my TB meds. The liver and kidneys work overtime just to process all the TB meds. I was worried about damage to those organs. As a result of copious amounts of water daily (I added a splash of cranberry to mine which helped tremendously) and staying away from all other meds that I had a choice to NOT consume, I was fairly symptom free. I would leave the probiotic, and eat greek yogurt instead.

[Dana02 in reply to Dw3832]

Thanks, Dw3832 for your advice. I will try to do no extra meds to see how it goes. I hope you have got rid of the nasty TB. I wish you good health and all the best.

[HelenC Partner TB Alert in reply to Dw3832]

That's good advice. Probiotics are naturally occuring, so if you eat a balanced diet you are going to get some without risking overloading your body by taking them as supplements.

[Dw3832]

You are most welcome, but it is clear I am no medical professional. Just another TB patient. That said I was told 6 days ago that I could stop my meds for good. I wish you well on your journey, and will continue to add to this forum because support is EVERYTHING in this process -- even for those of us that have been "cured".

[Dana02]

Thank you, Dw. That's great news that you have stopped the medicine and yes the support is very important and it's very reassuring to be able to come to this forum for advice.