Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Is It Normal?

GlutenWrangler

By GlutenWrangler
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted

Is it normal to have symptoms similar to a glutening for the first few days of taking a strong probiotic? The probiotic is definitely gluten-free. Thanks

-Brian

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted

My system couldn't handle probiotics. They made me awfully sick. I had to stop using them. I gave them a full week to work and I just stayed sick. I've heard the same from others. Perhaps some people are just sensitive to them.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

I have never had any reaction to them, but if you think about it, if the new good bacteria is killing off the old bad bacteria you might have some sort of a die off reaction. Last year I took an antifungal for candida and two different antibiotics for an amoeba and bad bacteria and those things made me feel terrible. After all that I took tons of probiotics and those never made me feel bad, but the die off from the first things was almost more than I could take.

I have no idea if that is a real possibility, but it sounds logical.

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

I did some reading and found something called excessive drainage syndrome, which can cause headache, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. It makes sense that it would feel like getting glutened. Thanks for the replies.

-Brian

dionnek Enthusiast
dionnek
Posted

does anyone know if probiotics and L-Glutamine are ok to take when yoiu are pregnant? I will check with my dr, but they are usually so clueless about stuff like this.

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

I read that probiotics are fine to take when you are pregnant. I would think that L-Glutamine would be fine too, because it is a naturally occuring amino acid in the body. But I think that you should double check with your doctor because I could be wrong.

-Brian

Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted

I was supposed to take a probiotic when I had terrible diarrhea for a week and a half just recently (caused by some meds that were high in salicylates, long story). So, I started taking one I had in the house, and it made me feel terrible, and made the diarrhea worse. I checked the ingredients, and it had maltodextrin.

I went to the health food store to buy a new probiotic. Almost all of them had either dairy in them (whey and lactase I think), and the others had maltodextrin. I only found one without either, and with a guarantee of not containing any sucrose, starch, salt, preservatives, artificial colours, flavours or additives, or any corn, wheat, yeast, gluten, soy, dairy or animal by-products.

This one of course cost me $55.00 for 120 caps. Quite steep. But it worked to stop the diarrhea, and it didn't make me feel bad, even tough I was taking about ten a day. It is called HMF Forte, and is by Genestra Brands.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ArtGirl Enthusiast
ArtGirl
Posted
Is it normal to have symptoms similar to a glutening for the first few days of taking a strong probiotic?

Dieoff is certainly a possibilty as some have reported this happening and they would feel worse before feeling better. When I first tried to take probiotics I would have very caustic D right away. I would try to stay with them because *everyone* said it was so important to good health. But, the negatives outweighed the positives and I stopped after trying probably 5 different brands/combinations.

It wasn't until I started looking for corn derivatives that I discovered that the ALL had either dairy, corn or soy. No wonder I had problems. Like Ursa said, it is very difficult to find a probiotic that doesn't have corn in it (dextrose, maltodextrin, citric acid, etc.)

So, if your symptoms don't improve, you might want to explore other food sensitivies.

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

I'm using HLC Intensive probiotics. This is from the website:

Each capsule contains:

HLC LAB4 Consortium......24 billion viable cells (may contain up to 30 billion)

L. acidophilus CUL 60

L. acidophilus CUL 21

Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL 20

Bifidobacterium lactis CUL 34

Other Ingredients: cellulose, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate.

HLC probiotics contain no dairy, casein, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, or other common allergens.

So I don't think they could cause me a problem with gluten or casein, right?

-Brian

marciab Enthusiast
marciab
Posted

Brian,

Unfortunately, anyone can react to anything and we are all different. If it is a capsule, you could always open it and pour a little in applesauce, etc. if you still want to try it.

It's always possible that this is just too strong for you right now. Or maybe it is has gone bad. That would be the downside of supplements. You never know how they have been stored.

Also, I may be mistaken, but doesn't the L. in front of Acidophulus stand for lactose ?

Miso and sauerkraut also contain probiotics ... I found some chick pea miso at my health food store that is gluten-free, DF,CF, SF and it tastes great. Google fermented foods to find other natural probiotics.

Good luck ... marcia

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Add me to the list of people who can not tolerate probiotics. The first one I tried, Culturelle, made me terribly nauseous. I took them for as long as I could stand it--about a week.

The second time, the probiotic was in a digestive enzyme--I immediately got gas, bloating and nausea.

I thought it must just be me because I read so much about people taking them and feeling better. I just felt worse. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one! (We say that a lot around here!) :D

Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted

I looked it up, because mine have L. Acidophilus as well. It stand for Lactobacillus Acidophilus. No lactose involved.

Brian, I am stumped, I don't see anything that could cause you to be sick. Do you take them with a meal? If I take probiotics on an empty stomach, I get a stomach ache and feel nauseous.

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

It's not that I feel really sick right away. It's just the next morning what I get up I don't really feel good. I attribute it to my body getting rid of the toxins in my intestine. I feel a little better every day. This is my 5th day taking them. After 30 days I switch to the High Potency capsules which have half of the amount of bacteria that is in the Intensive capsules. If it doesn't get any better soon I'll just switch to the lower dose. I can't stop taking them because I think they will help with the D. I still have it almost 6 months into the diet. Maybe things have to get a little worse before they get better.

-Brian

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

I switched from trying probiotics to using kefir instead. It really seems much easier on the gut.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted
does anyone know if probiotics and L-Glutamine are ok to take when yoiu are pregnant? I will check with my dr, but they are usually so clueless about stuff like this.

Both my ob/gyn and my holistic doctor said that probiotics are ok when pregnant. My holistic doctor said that both probiotics and digestive enzymes are very helpful when pregnant because your body is already straining so much to take care of the baby that any help you can give your gi system is beneficial. My health food store also said they are ok and I have been taking them the entire time with no problem.

Guest AutumnE
Guest AutumnE
Posted
I'm using HLC Intensive probiotics. This is from the website:

Each capsule contains:

HLC LAB4 Consortium......24 billion viable cells (may contain up to 30 billion)

L. acidophilus CUL 60

L. acidophilus CUL 21

Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL 20

Bifidobacterium lactis CUL 34

Other Ingredients: cellulose, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate.

HLC probiotics contain no dairy, casein, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, or other common allergens.

So I don't think they could cause me a problem with gluten or casein, right?

-Brian

vegetable magnesium stearate could be corn, what vegetable do they use for it? Alot of times they call it hypoallergenic because they pull out the protein part of the corn but I still have a reaction. Im not the only one either others sometimes are hypersensitive to it.

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

Autumn,

I don't think it's from corn because they say they don't use corn in their ingredients. I'm not sure which vegetable they use for the vegetable magnesium stearate. I tried to look that up myself a few days ago, but found no answers. I don't think I'm sensitive to corn anyway though. I've eaten it once since going gluten-free, and didn't have a problem.

Anyway the good news is that I feel pretty good today. I think that my body has finally adjusted and rid itself of most of the toxins. I'm glad that I can finally tolerate them. I had no idea so many people had trouble tolerating probiotics. Thanks everyone,

-Brian

Guest AutumnE
Guest AutumnE
Posted

Im glad your doing better :) It stinks to not feel well around the holidays.

Take Care

TestyTommy Rookie
TestyTommy
Posted

Add me to the list of people who react to probiotics.

I started taking one a couple of days ago. I got a stomach ache and felt bloated & gassy. Then I got the big D. It was similar to a gluten reaction, except when I was on gluten, I felt bloated and gassy, but could never pass any of the gas. This gas is definitely passing.

Will this wear off after a while? Is it a good sign? Or should I stop taking the probiotics?

Thanks for any advice any of you can offer.

marciab Enthusiast
marciab
Posted

"Miso and sauerkraut also contain probiotics ... I found some chick pea miso at my health food store that is gluten-free, DF,CF, SF and it tastes great. Google fermented foods to find other natural probiotics. "

I had to come back here and let you know that I am having a major candida outbreak and I believe it is from the miso, etc.

I'm confused because I read that people with candida should avoid fermented foods (miso, etc), but they are also considered beneficial if they still contain live cultures (from the Body Ecology diet) ...

Just wanted to give y'all a heads up ... I am back on kefir for now, since this is what cleared me up the first time ...

Marcia

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted

add my husband to list of those who have celiac disease & can't take probiotics (reaction)

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

Tommy,

My first few days were pretty rough. I was about to stop taking them, but I decided to stick with it. Each day after that I got better and better. At this point my body has no problem tolerating the probiotics. I've been taking them for roughly 2 weeks now, and I'm definitely happy about the improvement. My healing process had kind of stalled, and now it seems like it's back on track, and I feel better than I have in a very long time.

If you have a bad mixture of intestinal flora, the probiotics will be able to help you. But in order to repopulate your intestine with good bacteria, the bad bacteria has to be removed. This cleansing period makes you feel like crap, but it should lessen and then disappear with time. If it doesn't get better, you might want to try another brand. Make sure there is no hidden gluten in the ingredients. I hope it works out for you. Good luck.

-Brian

TestyTommy Rookie
TestyTommy
Posted

Thanks, Brian. I'll stick it out for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Besides, what's a little belly ache and GI distress to a celiac?? :P

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted
  • Author

Couldn't have said it any better myself

NoGluGirl Contributor
NoGluGirl
Posted
Brian,

Unfortunately, anyone can react to anything and we are all different. If it is a capsule, you could always open it and pour a little in applesauce, etc. if you still want to try it.

It's always possible that this is just too strong for you right now. Or maybe it is has gone bad. That would be the downside of supplements. You never know how they have been stored.

Also, I may be mistaken, but doesn't the L. in front of Acidophulus stand for lactose ?

Miso and sauerkraut also contain probiotics ... I found some chick pea miso at my health food store that is gluten-free, DF,CF, SF and it tastes great. Google fermented foods to find other natural probiotics.

Good luck ... marcia

Dear Marcia,

As far as I know, L. stands for Lactobacillus. That is the genus of the bacteria. That means the strain it is unique to. This normally states what family it is from. I do not think it has anything to do with dairy. The most common source of it is yogurt, though.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,135
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jackie M
    Newest Member
    Jackie M
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
    • captaincrab55
      Finding gluten free ingredients

      By captaincrab55 · Posted

      Imemsm, Most of us have experienced discontinued, not currently available or products that suddenly become seasonal.   My biggest fear about relocating from Maryland to Florida 5 years ago, was being able to find gluten-free foods that fit my restricted diet.  I soon found out that the Win Dixie and Publix supper markets actually has 99% of their gluten-free foods tagged, next to the price.  The gluten-free tags opened up a  lot of foods that aren't actually marked gluten-free by the manufacture.  Now I only need to check for my other dietary restrictions.  Where my son lives in New Hartford, New York there's a Hannaford Supermarket that also has a gluten-free tag next to the price tag.  Hopefully you can locate a Supermarket within a reasonable travel distance that you can learn what foods to check out at a Supermarket close to you.  I have dermatitis herpetiformis too and I'm very sensitive to gluten and the three stores I named were very gluten-free friendly.  Good Luck 
    • rei.b
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By rei.b · Posted

      Okay well the info about TTG-A actually makes a lot of sense and I wish the PA had explained that to me. But yes, I would assume I would have intestinal damage from eating a lot of gluten for 32 years while having all these symptoms. As far as avoiding gluten foods - I was definitely not doing that. Bread, pasta, quesadillas (with flour tortillas) and crackers are my 4 favorite foods and I ate at least one of those things multiple times a day e.g. breakfast with eggs and toast, a cheese quesadilla for lunch, and pasta for dinner, and crackers and cheese as a before bed snack. I'm not even kidding.  I'm not really big on sugar, so I don't really do sweets. I don't have any of those conditions.  I am not sure if I have the genes or not. When the geneticist did my genetic testing for EDS this year, I didn't think to ask for him to request the celiac genes so they didn't test for them, unfortunately.  I guess another expectation I had is  that if gluten was the issue, the gluten-free diet would make me feel better, and I'm 3 months in and that hasn't been the case. I am being very careful and reading every label because I didn't want to screw this up and have to do gluten-free for longer than necessary if I end up not having celiac. I'm literally checking everything, even tea and anything else prepacked like caramel dip. Honestly its making me anxious 😅
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      So you're saying that you think you should have severe intestinal damage since you've had the symptoms so long?   DGP IgG antibodies are produced in response to a partial gluten molecule.  This is different than what tissue transglutaminase antibodies are  produced in response to.   TTg IgA antibodies are produced in the intestines in response to gluten.  The tTg IgA antibodies attack our own cells because a structural component in our cell membranes resembles a part of gluten.  There's a correlation between the level of intestinal damage with the level of tTg antibodies produced.  You are not producing a high number of tTg IgA antibodies, so your level of tissue damage in your intestines is not very bad.  Be thankful.   There may be reasons why you are not producing a high quantity of tTg IgA antibodies.  Consuming ten grams or more of gluten a day for two weeks to two months before blood tests are done is required to get sufficient antibody production and damage to the intestines.  Some undiagnosed people tend to subconsciously avoid lots of gluten.  Cookies and cakes do not contain as much gluten as artisan breads and thick chewy pizza crust.  Anemia, diabetes and thiamine deficiency can affect IgA antibody production as well.   Do you carry genes for Celiac?  They frequently go along with EDS.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.