Parabiotic (biogenisis)

[SanFranGirl]

I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with "parabiotics" ? (I think that is what they are called - an herbal supplement meant to kill the bad bacteria in your gut). I took this one by biogenesis as my doctor prescribed me, and it made me very very sick, as if I ate gluten. I called the company and they said they are very thorough in making sure there is no gluten in their products, so I think I'm reacting to the actual herbs...? Has anyone had a similar experience?

[cyclinglady]

A medical doctor is recommending this product?  Do you have parasites?  SIBO?  Yikes!  Listen to your body.  Just because it is herbal does not make it safe for you personally.  

Go back to your GI and get a follow up celiac blood panel.   Make sure you have not been  getting gluten exposure despite your best efforts.  Rule out that first before investigating other possible issues.  Celiac symptoms can  change.

[kareng]

Not sure how it knows to only kill the bad bacteria? Probably messing with the good bacteria, too.  That is assuming it really works.  Probably just makes you feel bad so you think its working?

[Gemini]

10 hours ago, SanFranGirl said:

I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with "parabiotics" ? (I think that is what they are called - an herbal supplement meant to kill the bad bacteria in your gut). I took this one by biogenesis as my doctor prescribed me, and it made me very very sick, as if I ate gluten. I called the company and they said they are very thorough in making sure there is no gluten in their products, so I think I'm reacting to the actual herbs...? Has anyone had a similar experience?

I have had 2 similar experiences with herbal products that were gluten free.  To the point where I will never use any herbals ever again. 

I am not knocking herbals because I think there are many good uses for them in medicine.  Ask the Chinese....they use them extensively with good results.  However, not everyone can tolerate them and I would suspect that a Celiac, with a sensitive GI tract, would fall into this category.  All I know is that on 2 separate occasions, I used 2 different herbals prescribed by an MD who was reputable and I got so sick, it was horrible.  I think I threw up everything I ate for 2 days prior.  It was like a severe glutening, without the gluten.  When I investigated the herbals themselves, I discovered that they "can be" an irritant to the GI tract so I assumed that was the problem.  Both times it happened within 90 minutes of taking them, so it was pretty obvious they made me sick.  I went from feeling great to feeling like I was going to die from vomiting in a very short time.  Never again will herbals pass my lips.........

[cyclinglady]

Like I stated a month ago, get re-tested for celiac disease to make sure you are diet compliant.  You were diagnosed on just the blood test and genetic test from what I recall.

This is why getting an endoscopy is recommended by every celiac expert for a firm diagnosis because:

1.  It checks for villi damage (which could be from many things, but with a positive celiac blood test the diagnosis is complete, plus, a baseline is established.  

2.  GI can test while he is scoping you for other things like SIBO, Crohn's, H Pylori, and even cancer.  You can have multiple illnesses. 

3.  There are plenty of reasons for not getting any endoscopy like a huge wait time (e.g. Canada), lack of insurance, too ill (risk too great), etc.

 I urge you to talk to a GI and make an informed choice for your health. 

I agree with Gemini.  I avoid all medications as much as possible.  Each time I take a new medication I am risking a gluten (rare because I check)  or allergic reaction.  My gut is much too sensitive.