Probiotics.

[jimister]

I decided to try probiotics. Has anyone suffered a lot of gurgling and cramping abdo pain whe they first started taking them. I am thinking of taking them every other day or two days until my body gets used to them. Any advice welcome.

[Sparrow58]

I take a probiotic. I cannot take the full dose as suggested so reduced it right down and slowly increased it until I found the right amount. Everyone is different. A smaller dose is better than no dose at all, and we need to be able to work etc.

[jimister in reply to Sparrow58]

I will give it a try. The effects of them were as bad as the IBS symptoms. I just hope they help.

[Freerunner31]

Yes this happened to me with Alforex.

I persevered. Within two weeks the cramps disappeared. The symptoms of my IBSD have slowly but surely improved.

[jimister in reply to Freerunner31]

Did you take the full dose straight away or did you build up gradually.

[Freerunner31]

Yes I took the full dose. I almost gave up. So glad I did not give in. Alforex is not a cure but I feel I have my life back.

[Lincolnlady123]

There are so many different makes and strengths .I was advised by my Practice Nurse to go to the local Healthfood shop and get some advice on brands and strengths. She listened to my symptoms and directed me to Optimac Every Day Extra. She did warn me that they can make symptoms worse before they get better! She advised to start at one every other day.

I take one a day now along with a multi vitamin and avoid wheat and dairy and am so much better.

I don’t know if you have a health food store to ask advice , or go to nearest Pharmacist who i would assume could also advise,

Take care , wishing you well.

[jimister in reply to Lincolnlady123]

Optimac is the one I started using, and they definitely made my abdomen gurgle, and bloated more than usual. I think I will do one capsule every other day. Thanks for the reply.

[Luisa22]

I have been considering getting my gut very gradually used to probiotics by starting with kefir. I am not a milk person so have "water kefir" in my sights. My plan is to try this really gradually, by starting with a teaspoonful of the drink (keeping the rest of the bottle in the fridge) see how that goes for a day or two, then if all is well, increasing to a shot glass full, and so on.

I am a bit held up on that idea more for practical reasons at the mo (without boring everyone!) But I always felt iffy about chugging down billions of bacteria all at once and felt my instincts tell me no, do it very gradually and in tiny amounts at first. I don't think I could bear the "getting used to it" phase of worse symptoms possibly.

[jimister in reply to Luisa22]

Sounds like a good idea. I will look up kefir water. I've only ever seen the milk one at the supermarket.

[Dollymae06]

I take Alflorex the chewable ones I dont get any problems with these they really help with Ibs diarrhoea.

[Luisa22 in reply to Dollymae06]

I would really like to graduate to those. I have heard good things about Alflorex. But I am wary of plunging in and taking a large dose all at once right now. I guess I want to "creep up on it" 🤔

[Gypsy67]

I ended up giving up. Could not deal with symptoms. Only lasted 1 week but a terrible week. Hope yours settles down

[jimister in reply to Gypsy67]

I know how you feel. I was the same. My digestive system is so sensitive to everything.

[Kat_88]

hi I wondered if anyone had not symptoms starting the probiotics but having faced symptoms specifically too much bloating that cause pain after a month or so?