Die-off symptoms from probiotic

[Jefner]

Still suffering, possibly from the side effects of that horrible antibiotic I finished last Sunday or it maybe that it has completely disrupted my gut. From reading up, starting a probiotic can actually cause die-off symptoms due to an immune reaction so I think I may be experiencing that because I seem to have all the classic symptoms of it and seems to be well documented with others suffering when I read up on different forums. If our gut is out, then everything is out in the body. Anxiety is so bad for most of the day now instead of easing off in the evenings, joint aches, tremors. terrible fatigue, nausea, palps, I don't know what to do with myself. I don't even have the energy for my evening walk so that is having a negative impact on my body/mental health for starters just sitting around all day and every day.

ombrelab.com/blogs/gut/feel...

Introducing new stuff to my diet to help can upset the gut with die-off as well apparently. Been having some Kefir and Kimchi. In fact Kefir is new to me and loving it but wondering whether I should move to a goat/sheep milk Kefir as I have little dairy in my diet these days and wondering whether it's the cow's milk in the Kefir that is isn't suiting me, or whether it's just my microbiome trying to readjust and nuked from the antibiotics. Or I spotted a coconut milk Kefir which might be better?

I wonder also whether my thyroid levels have been knocked out because of all the upset which is making me feel worse. I had upped my T3 by 2.5mcg mid October but when all the upset with the infection arrived I dropped off the tiny increase and went back to my 10mcg as I didn't know at that time whether it was the pending infection causing me symptoms or the increase.

On top of everything my GP arranged for a FULL blood panel to be done including my liver, kidneys, Ferritin, Folate, B12, D etc., so I stopped my B complex assuming that I would only have to wait for a few days for the team to come round and take my bloods but it's been nearly two weeks now and my GP was supposed to have chased them yesterday. Not taken my B's consistently for weeks now so that may be adding to it all with my levels dropping too much.

I thinking of saying "sod it" to the NHS and doing a private panel. Spotted a couple of tests that pretty much do it all on Medichecks. Knowing my luck as soon as I pay for the test and someone to come round to take my bloods the NHS bunch will turn up.

People say "chill and relax" but I can't and people messing me about doesn't help the situation. I could have had the full blood panel done with results by now as I used to but it seems the NHS is completely screwed these days

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I fully understand how antibiotics can play havoc with your gut…. Hang in there with the probiotics, as they will improve your gut biome (but this could take a few months).

My advice to aid your anxiety is to try a shorter/ easier walk until your energy levels improve. Spending time outdoors always helps me…. But listen to your body and don’t overdo things.

Also give the GP surgery a ring and try to pin them down on the test, so you can then restart your B complex.

[Jefner in reply to Buddy195]

i already chased my GP and she is supposed to have chased them. I do try for a walk, even for just 5 mins but my legs feel so heavy and just won't carry me far and all this sitting around isn't doing me any good although I am so fidgety and up and down like a yoyo. Surely I will see some improvement with my gut sooner than months because I certainly won't be able to tolerate feeling like this for that length of time. Literally having to force feed myself because I have lost my appetite too. Am starting a liquid one tonight which someone on here is trying. Liquid ones are much better absorbed apparently the the cultures get into your system better than a capsule from what I have read because by the time they dissolve many die before reaching where they need to. Supposed to have a tablespoon but going to start off with a teaspoon for a few days and work up as the nutritionist recommended

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Jefner]

What on earth is the problem they you are having to weir for weeks got the blood test? You would think there must be someone at your surgery who could do it. Would it be possible to take tour blood form elsewhere? We used to have a phlebotomist who was really ham fisted and when the nice gentle girl left I used to just say that I was passing the hospice as l and I’d get it done there.

Hopefully you will hear soon.

[Jefner in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

i am agoraphobic hence the home visits

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Jefner]

Ah, that explains the long wait then, probably not much you can do.

[Sparklingsunshine]

As I understand it there isnt much lactose at all in Kefir, as the milk sugars are what the kefir grains feed on, so there wont be much in the finished product. Obviously this isnt an issue with water kefir but I think that has less diverse and numerous beneficial bacteria than the milk one.

[Jefner in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

have ordered some coconut milk kefir to see what that is like and also I have two lots of Greek yoghurt, one ordinary and the other lactose free

[lisabax in reply to Jefner]

I’ve been making my own coconut kefir for years. I get on really well with it. I order a culture, mix it with coconut milk, then freeze the culture until the next time I make it . Of course you don’t have to make your own, but I’ve found it more gentle on my gut that milk ones

[radd]

Jefner,

Probiotics can cause considerable die off symptoms if dysbiosis is large. Also if there are pathogens present as they are literally fighting it out and letting off toxins as they die.

If the symptoms are unmanageable you can take a binder such activated charcoal to mop up the toxins but I think you already have enough to contend with and would benefit more by just reducing the amount of probiotics you are taking or switching to a more gentle one.

[Jefner in reply to radd]

I didn't know probiotics caused die-off, although horrible symptoms at least I know what's causing it which is a little reassurance. I experienced die-off before I think a few years ago when my FD was treating me for SIBO and Candida but because I couldn't afford to see her anymore I was never retested to see if I had got rid of them both so they could still be lingering. I stopped the capsule one I was on and started on this liquid one last night that another member is trying microbz.co.uk/products/revive. Spoke with the nutritionist who deals mainly with gut microbiome and instead of going straight in with a whole tablespoon she recommended I start low and slow ie. teaspoon.

[radd in reply to Jefner]

Jefner,

That was me!! 😁 I'm liking the microbz coz you can take as much or little as you like. Now having read all your post as said I think you should only introduce one probiotic at a time, and that includes the kefir and kimchi that can be quite strong.

[Jefner in reply to radd]

arrr ok sorry damn brain fog. I spotted a bit of film here and there on my stools this morning (could be die-off biofilm) so I think the Candida and SIBO I was diagnosed with back in 2017 is still there and always has been which might be the reason I have been suffering continually. I couldn't afford my old FD's rates anymore after she treated me and put me on a protocol for them and I never retested to see if they had cleared but I suspect they haven't. I don't think a probiotic will be enough to sort my issues out and I can't afford to get tested again let alone work with another FD so I feel pretty doomed at the moment with no idea where to go or what to do. there has definitely been a shift of some sort in my microbiome as I can feel it in my lower abdomen which feels a little sensitive and very slight cramping