Ferrocalm probiotic

[Cotsall]

Hi there. Has anyone else heard about Ferrocalm, which was launched recently as an alternative probiotic? I’ve been taking a cheap one for quite a while but I don’t think it helps. Was about to switch to Alflorex, which a few of you on this site have recommended, but then saw an article about the development of Ferrocalm by a team at Bristol University, and am giving it a go. I have IBS-C and will see if it helps at all. I have very recently been prescribed a low dose of Amitriptyline, which has helped my lower stomach pain and bloating pain hugely, but obviously it doesn’t help my slow digestion, constipation, straining etc. At the moment they have an offer on if you buy two month’s supply and provide some feedback (which is what I’m going to do). It might be worth looking into.

[Waiting_for_godo]

Hi this is interesting. Where can one get it ?

[Cotsall in reply to Waiting_for_godo]

Sorry, should have said. You can get it from ferrocalm.com and interesting article about it on bristol247.com about the development of ferryx.

[Cotsall in reply to Cotsall]

Here’s an extract from the article in case you (or anyone else) is interested. I thought it sounded promising.

FERRYX: BRISTOL UNIVERSITY SPIN-OUT LAUNCHES NATURAL SOLUTION TO GUT PROBLEMS BY  RACHEL SUTHERLAND, Tuesday Jan 17, 2023

‘A food supplement has been launched by a University of Bristol spin-out after ten years of research and development. The women-led biotech company, Ferryx, has developed a natural solution to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other gut issues. Its newly-launched product, Ferrocalm, contains live, friendly bacteria and is gluten-free along with being suitable for vegans, and vegetarians.

The women-led biotech company, Ferryx, has developed a natural solution to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and gut issues. The product, developed by the Future Space-based company, has been designed to thrive even during a period of active inflammation when there is excess iron in the body. Research shows having a healthy gut ties in with our overall happiness and wellbeing, as the gut and the brain communicate through nerves.

The company’s co-founder and CEO, Dr Jenny Bailey, spoke of the positive feedback her team has received on the product. She said: “The launch of Ferrocalm is the culmination of 10 years’ scientific research, all with the aim of helping people to take control of their condition, alleviate their symptoms and live the life they want to lead. “Throughout the development of this product, I have always said if we can help one person to feel better, enabling them to go to an event that they would otherwise have missed, take part in sports, go to work, or simply enjoy time with family and friends then I will be happy.“. I am delighted to say that we are already seeing some great results from Ferrocalm and we look forward to helping many more people achieve relief from gut conditions.”

[xjrs]

It would be good to hear how you get on with it.

[Cotsall in reply to xjrs]

Have only just got it, so will let you know in a month or two (I've ordered two months with their deal, and then if you do a survey, you can then either have a third month free or a £20 Amazon voucher).

[Joeyskin]

hi i swear by amitriptyline i have chrons i was initially diagnosed 10mg all the years back and of course it helps with pain and imsomnia. it also help with low mood associatted with having a bowel disease and feeling alone on your journey. your g.p would not have prescribed these if they thought they wouldnt work. as for constipation i have no idea about with having chrons i have the other problem, there are many many things to take with constipation but they can cause pain and bloating. i used to take mintec, u could also go on supposotories that your doctor can supply. just worth a thought . i know what its like getting an appt with your gp but it is worthdiscussing. theres loads of suppostories and doesnt go via mouth ergo no bloating . i wish you well stay safe

[Cotsall in reply to Joeyskin]

Thank you. Yes, I completely agree about amitriptyline helping with the stomach pain, sleeping and mood. I just wish my GP had prescribed it for me three years ago when my symptoms first started! However, for the first 18 months or so I was seeing my GP and having blood tests, U/S scans, gastroscopy, and after being referred to a gastroenterologist, a colonoscopy, CT scans and muscle function tests, all during Covid (2020/2021) so that all took some time before I was even diagnosed with IBS (ie they didn’t find anything else). Was also prescribed prucalopride and then linaclotide (neither of which helped at all), followed by various laxatives, which were far too aggressive for my sensitive stomach and gave me explosive diahorrea, without solving any of my issues of straining, bloating etc. - so actually were a double whammy and just increased my discomfort.

While the pain is finally now better with amitriptyline (only prescribed about 3 months ago), I am still looking for something which might alleviate the actual constipation, bloating, straining etc, and am still hoping to improve my gut microbiome. For the last year or so I have been on a cocktail of prebiotics (Optifibre), probiotics, drinking more water, adding flaxseed to my cereal, eating kiwis and occasionally taking docusate if I’m badly constipated, but none have helped markedly, so thought a new probiotic was at least worth a try, especially one which seems to have some scientific research and input into its development. While I can now manage my condition, like everyone else on this site, I am hoping to improve it further.

I also wish you well.

[Kensington26]

I take 10mg Amitriptyline every night and it helps me but struggle with constipation also. I've never heard of Ferrocalm. Please let me know if it helps you. I sometimes have senna tea and am about to start trying chia pudding

[Cotsall in reply to Kensington26]

Will keep you posted and let you know how I get on.

[RickyW]

Hi - was just wondering how Ferrocalm was going? Their claims look pretty interesting.

[Cotsall]

I can’t say I’ve noticed much difference yet, but I had an episode of food poisoning last week (which I get from time to time as my stomach is very sensitive), which will have affected my IBS symptoms in any case. So I will give Ferrocalm a bit longer before I make a judgement. The amitriptyline I’ve been prescribed recently has definitely helped my lower stomach pain, and to some extent the pain from bloating as well, and my GP has suggested I now double my dose to 20mg to see if that helps even more.

[RickyW in reply to Cotsall]

Thanks for the update, take care.

[Cotsall]

An update about Ferrocalm, which I have now been taking for two months. I’m still undecided as to whether it’s really helped, but am now trying it for a third month. I think doubling the dose of Amitriptyline has helped my lower stomach pain, but I still get bloating and trapped wind pain. My constipation improved for a while, so I thought perhaps Ferrocalm was helping, but it’s now fluctuating again, so I’m not sure. I’ll wait and see if there’s consistent improvement, but there isn’t so far.

[Cotsall]

An update on Ferrocalm. I have IBS-C with slow transit and visceral hypersensitivity and am now on my third month of taking this probiotic. Initially I wasn't sure if it was helping or not, but am now pretty convinced it is having a positive effect on my gut. I go much more regularly now and need to strain less, and therefore my haemorrhoids aren't aggravated so much. I have ordered another two months' supply, as I want to continue with it. It's by no means a magic cure-all - I still get some bloating and trapped wind causing upper stomach discomfort, especially in the evenings, presumably due to slow digestion.. Amitriptyline 20mg seems to have pretty much alleviated my lower stomach pain (I assume caused by the hypersensitive nerves in my core). The downside of the drug is that I tend to get headaches and some drowsiness with it.