PrecisionBiotics Alflorex

Has anyone else started on these or tried them in past year?

[xjrs]

Yes BobbinRobin. I have. They have made a huge difference to me. I am able to tolerate far more foods including things like wholewheat bread which I haven't been able to eat in years. If you have a bit of overgrowth of bad bugs in your gut, these can feed off the residue from some foods causing food intolerances and IBS symptoms such as pain and disordered bowel movements. Probiotics like Alflorex help to crowd out the bad bugs so that you don't get these symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to xjrs]

Thank you xjrs for replying. How long did you take them for/ do you still take them.? I’m aware of overgrowth, food intolerances etc. I’ve been on FODMAP diet for yrs. tried all sorts such as Kefir and other probiotics and generally been a lot better of late, however decided to do trail offered with IBS network whilst on ‘shutdown’ as the other supplements with small probiotic added I’ve taken for years and not cheap, kefir also more difficult to buy the milk needed. Decided it may be worth trying out and have had very strong Side effects - initial Explosive gut reaction! headaches, dizzy ness Low mood and exhaustion. Know that these are apparently side effects of detoxing ‘bad’Bacteria and I also have trouble detoxing as have Gilbert’s syndrome, (and no gall bladder, which after removal IBS was suggested/ disgnosed). I am looking for positive experiences to help me keep going with them, which I have, and glad too. Feeling better today and now onto my second week. The thought that I may be able to tolerate wheat again one day would be wonderful.

[xjrs in reply to Hidden]

I still take them now. I started taking them in January of this year. I didn't get any side effects and they started to reduce the pain I was in after about a week, but everyone is different. Some may take 4-6 weeks to reap the benefits and get side effects too. Glad you are feeling better today. It is worth giving it a full test. When I've reintroduced foods I haven't eaten in some time I go much slower than recommended by the NHS - only introducing a small amount (1/4 to 1/3 of a normal portion size) of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then try to increment again . I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly and your bad bugs are under control with a good probiotic. Doing it this way, I've found for many foods I may get symptoms initially but these die down in time. When I followed the FODMAP reintroduction route as per the NHS guidelines previously (reject if symptoms after 3 days), I had to take most FODMAPs off of the list of foods that I could eat.

By the way, since you have no gall bladder, have you been tested for BAM (bile acid malabsorption)? I've seen people write on this forum that the two can be connected and there is a separate treatment for it.

[Hidden in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for reply. Yes everyone’s different and digestive system is so complicated. Makes it so hard for professionals to understand what’s going on, let alone the person suffering.

There was no need to be tested for BAM as don’t normally suffer D.

I did worry about that at first when suffering initially after my colonoscopy, the mix of meds they asked me to take had a really nasty effect on my poor gut system especially. Took a while for me to find out about FODMAP via private dietician app. And then work out what may trigger pain belching and bloating mostly. Did go back to GP and request to see an NHS dietician too.

Docs often don’t get taught any more about Gilberts other than it’s not a problem or life threatening. But I have found out it is a great problem for many, the difficulties detoxing made sense once I learnt more about it. Knowing I’m not alone with many of the symptoms people suffer, like being prone to gall stones and inflammation. Problems if overdoing exercise and feeling nauseous and exhausted not eating regularly enough, or over eating. Private dietician suggested taking digestive enzymes with meals which help a lot. All expensive but thankfully can afford it and worth the quality of life it gives me. I don’t drink any alcohol and careful with diet.I’m hopeful this probiotic will help rid me of the ‘bad’ bacteria that took hold back then when I had that op? when I was also given antibiotics but not the full course and then colonoscopy a few weeks later.

Thanks for advice on reintroduction which I will try once I’ve had full two months of Alforex, and feeling time is right.

[Feaviour]

I am halfway through a two- month trial. So far there does seem to be a reduction in bloating and pain, but it is hard to judge in the current unusual situation. The enforced isolation tends to reduce the pain caused by social stress anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Feaviour]

That’s good to hear, thank you Feaviour. I’m just started my second week off them and hopeful they will help. Yes I get the social stress thing too. Easier at times to be on own, or with trusted people. Hope all goes well for you.