Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

Do Probiotics And Enzymes Help You For The Most Part?


sweeeeet

Recommended Posts

sweeeeet Rookie

After suffering for close to 20 years of IBS, bloating, distension, cramps, acid reflux, brain fog, headaches, teary eyes, numb cheeks, fatigue after eating, joint pain, muscle pain, all that typical stuff I was fed up. I completely eliminated dairy - (milk, ice cream, etc) almost completely eliminated wheat and gluten for a few months now and have been eating simple foods like fresh fruits (blueberries, strawberries) and white meat and seafood like shrimp) I've seen a remarkable improvement in my symptoms! I used to "go into a coma" after having macaroni and cheese, get excrutiating stomach cramps after eating ice cream or would have a two inch difference in my waistline depending on whether I was bloated or not from eating a bowl of Cheerios. I feel so much better! Not 100 percent but so much better that I had to brag.

But also I take Primal Defense Ultra probiotic 3 times a day with lots of water, and Primal Defense Ω-Zyme before I eat a meal, and I was wondering if these maybe were the answer........more so than just eliminating dairy gluten and wheat.........

Do you take probiotics and enzymes in addition to eliminating your trigger foods and do you think they've really helped too?

What else, in addition, can I do to maintain things with my symptoms.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



cassP Contributor

good for u!!! i havent been able to give up the dairy yet <_<

in my personal opinion- i've noticed more positive change from actually eliminating wheat & gluten from my diet than the probiotics or enzymes.. i think they most definitely help- but i think the biggest change comes from the diet.

shayre Enthusiast

Hey, I know that you feel my malnourished pain! My GI doc told me yesterday to add probiotics...IN ADDITION to cutting out the offensive foods. He said that a damaged gut allows bad bacteria to build up and be greater than the good bacteria, and could potentially cause a gut infection. So... I'm on 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks, along with 2 probiotics. I've read that other people on here say that the probiotics really help them, but that you need to find a good one. I don't know what they are though, and I'd like to know that for myself. I don't plan on staying on the ones that were given to me.

Wolicki Enthusiast

I am a little more than a year gluten free. If I go more than 2 days without my pro-b's, I bloat up like a balloon. I am fairly certain I am on them for life. I actually take HCL before meals, and enzymes after. That has improved my digestion drastically.

HTH

Sweetfudge Community Regular

I have been gluten-free for 4 years, and dairy free mostly for 2. I have gone through phases where I feel better, and then don't. But I definitely notice a difference taking probiotics.

I was recommended Align by my GI. It's a probiotic specifically for people with IBS-like symptoms - gas, bloating, cramps, etc. Lately I was wondering if it was working, so I stopped taking it for a couple weeks. Boy, did I notice a difference! Definitely helping!

I would look into Align, see if it sounds like it would help you. It has a minute amount of dairy in it, but that really hasn't bothered me.

sweeeeet Rookie

thanks for the replies. Align was recommended to me from the pharmacist at CVS. I tried it, and was ten times worse with the cramps after taking it for two days. The cramps were so horrible I couldn't stand up straight without doubling over. But then again, there are people who say it worked for them fine. I don't know why it didn't work for me. So anyways I went to the vitamin shoppe, the guys there have been so helpful, answering a ton of questions. I've really noticed a difference, especially in my distended "Santa Claus" stomach. Its deflated and stayed that way, lol

Sweetfudge Community Regular

thanks for the replies. Align was recommended to me from the pharmacist at CVS. I tried it, and was ten times worse with the cramps after taking it for two days. The cramps were so horrible I couldn't stand up straight without doubling over. But then again, there are people who say it worked for them fine. I don't know why it didn't work for me. So anyways I went to the vitamin shoppe, the guys there have been so helpful, answering a ton of questions. I've really noticed a difference, especially in my distended "Santa Claus" stomach. Its deflated and stayed that way, lol

When I started taking Align, my GI warned me it can cause some bloating/flare up of symptoms, which I noticed for probably the first week. Definitely nothing as bad as what you experienced. That's horrible. I hope you find something that works for you.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mushroom Proficient

When I started taking Align, my GI warned me it can cause some bloating/flare up of symptoms, which I noticed for probably the first week. Definitely nothing as bad as what you experienced. That's horrible. I hope you find something that works for you.

I have just had recommended to me by a nutritionist, and have started taking VSL#3, which can be ordered from Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals. It is a sprinkle that comes in a small packet and contains lactic acid bacteria (450 billion of them) and cornstarch. She thinks my gut is still leaking and wants me to take it for at least 90 days (along with other stuff she has prescribed). It is pretty expensive and has to be fed-exed because it must be kept refrigerated, but you do get a price break with ordering two boxes. She asserts it is without doubt the best probiotic on the market - used for people with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, as well as an ileal pouch. Don't know if your budget will stretch that far but check it out.

sweeeeet Rookie

question............... if I take too much probiotics will it be bad for me? I mean, I have been eating gluten free, wheat free, lactose free, egg free, casein free for the past two weeks, and taking probiotics before every meal, and I was feeling better for a short while, but this week my stomach still feels pretty yucky and the diarrhea and stomach upset is still there, it feels like like a relapse. Could it be I am putting something into my body that I don't need and that's why the diarrhea? Or maybe I need to take it for a few months?

sweeeeet Rookie

Oh and also..............I asked my gp if she ever heard of Nystatin, and she said Kind of, but you don't need Nystatin. Stay away from that.

Anybody here ever take Nystatin? What was that like

burdee Enthusiast

After suffering for close to 20 years of IBS, bloating, distension, cramps, acid reflux, brain fog, headaches, teary eyes, numb cheeks, fatigue after eating, joint pain, muscle pain, all that typical stuff I was fed up. I completely eliminated dairy - (milk, ice cream, etc) almost completely eliminated wheat and gluten for a few months now and have been eating simple foods like fresh fruits (blueberries, strawberries) and white meat and seafood like shrimp) I've seen a remarkable improvement in my symptoms! I used to "go into a coma" after having macaroni and cheese, get excrutiating stomach cramps after eating ice cream or would have a two inch difference in my waistline depending on whether I was bloated or not from eating a bowl of Cheerios. I feel so much better! Not 100 percent but so much better that I had to brag.

But also I take Primal Defense Ultra probiotic 3 times a day with lots of water, and Primal Defense Ω-Zyme before I eat a meal, and I was wondering if these maybe were the answer........more so than just eliminating dairy gluten and wheat.........

Do you take probiotics and enzymes in addition to eliminating your trigger foods and do you think they've really helped too?

What else, in addition, can I do to maintain things with my symptoms.

I suggest abstaining from your diagnosed allergies/intolerances AND taking probiotics to restore gut health. Probiotics alone will not prevent or ease painful allergy/intolerance reactions to gluten or anything else. However many people with gluten intolerance or other food sensitivities also have depleted beneficial gut bacteria which can cause symptoms like constipation, diarrhea and intestinal cramping pain, even when they abstain from problem foods. If you've ever taken antibiotics, you definitely need probiotics.

However, if you're truly deficient, just eating yogurt or taking a low dose probiotic won't help much. You need a pretty high dose probiotic (20-50 billion live cells per capsule) to improve your intestinal health (the higher the better). However, you don't need FOS (fructooligosaccharides) to feed those probiotics. So you don't have to endure FOS side effects (bloating, gas and pain) by taking probiotics with FOS. Also if you need to increase your beneficial gut bacteria, take probiotics on an empty stomach like before breakfast or bedtime. Taking probiotics with a meal can decrease their potency, because stomach acid can destroy some live cells.

Finally, if you need other digestive supplments and digestive enzymes don't help, you may need to test your stomach acid production. Many people have low, rather than high stomach acid. Low stomach acid can cause reflux, indigestion, susceptibility to intestinal infections (bacteria, parasites and fungus). However, don't take HCl supplements without getting tested.

burdee Enthusiast

Oh and also..............I asked my gp if she ever heard of Nystatin, and she said Kind of, but you don't need Nystatin. Stay away from that.

Anybody here ever take Nystatin? What was that like

After stool tests diagnosed candida, I took Nystatin for 3 months to eliminate that fungus. Rather than try to follow very restrictive candida diets, because I already have 7 diagnosed food intolerance/allergies, I chose Nystatin, which was one of the recommended treatments for my specific strain of candida (indicated by my stool test results).

For the first 3 days on Nystatin I experienced dizziness and nausea. After my body adjusted to that drug, I didn't feel any side effects until after I finished the treatment. Then I went through another 2-3 days of nausea perhaps from Nystatin withdrawal. However, I could easily tolerate the dizziness and/or nausea by drinking ginger tea. Nevertheless, I'd also recommend taking high dose probiotics while taking Nystatin. Even though that's an antiFUNGAL (rather than antibacterial) drug, it still upsets the microfloral intestinal balance, which makes you vulnerable to new bad gut bugs, if you don't add good bacteria from probiotics while you take Nystatin.

sweeeeet Rookie

I really am quite surprised that my doctor didn't recommend Nystatin, (and specifally said "You don't want to take that") I've seen a lot of people on here and on this other board I go to, mention they have taken it. I'm going to have to specifally go to a gastro specilaist I guess. I mean, a doctor who treats me for a sinus infection and a sore back is not the doctor I really need to see for chronic stomach problems.

burdee Enthusiast

I really am quite surprised that my doctor didn't recommend Nystatin, (and specifally said "You don't want to take that") I've seen a lot of people on here and on this other board I go to, mention they have taken it. I'm going to have to specifally go to a gastro specilaist I guess. I mean, a doctor who treats me for a sinus infection and a sore back is not the doctor I really need to see for chronic stomach problems.

I didn't read anything saying that you had been diagnosed with candida by stool test. (Did I miss that??) If your doc doesn't really know whether you have candida or doesn't do stool tests for candida, I'm not surprised that she would discourage you from taking Nystatin. Any antifungal (antibacterial or antiparasitic) drug will deplete your intestine's good bacteria and leave you vulnerable to new infections. Also without a diagnostic stool test, you won't know whether your specific strain of candida is sensitive to (can be killed by) nystatin. So you could take Nystatin, destroy your good bacteria and still have candida or some other bacterial infection.

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,758
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    DA.W
    Newest Member
    DA.W
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • MagsM
      Thank you so much for this in depth analysis. I am currently taking Vit D3/K2 5000IU daily.i started taking a flushing Niacin but foolishly took a 500mg tab and nearly passed out! I have just ordered a gut microbiome genome test and it will be interesting to see what my current balance of microbes are. After I finish diagnosis I will definitely go gluten free. Diagnosis will inform exactly how strict I’ll need to be regarding cross contamination etc. my focus will be on healing the gut. I have also been focusing on the oral microbiome - cutting out FL and using more natural products as well as daily oil pulling. I read from some of your other forum entries about Benfothiamine and I’ll definitely order that. I’ll make sure my doc orders more detailed vitamin and mineral panel plus total IGA as well as the DGP-IGA and DGP-IGG tests. We will see if I can get the endoscopic biopsy done. Do you think I should request Vitamin B shots to get me started?  My daily vitamin protocol will likely be VitD/K2 5000IU, Benfothiamin 300x2, Niacin (flushing) 50mg working up to 300mg. I also take a EPA/DHA as well as some vascular support (Arterosil HP and Vascanox HP) as well as Magnesium at night. Which B complex brand do you like? I will see what the gut microbiome test comes back with. I’m sure they will try to sell me pre/probiotics and maybe some digestive enzymes. What are you thought on those? I’m curious if you managed to go into full remission from your Ménière’s disease? Thank you so much for your thoughtful insight. I know that building back up my gut health and immune health will help in so many ways as well as protecting me from many other major diseases as I go into my 60s and beyond. 
    • Scott Adams
      You are right! The logo the have on their packages got me confused--it looks like they are less than 20ppm, not certified GF. Thanks for catching that! My brain also zeroed in on this "less than 10ppm" but I should have seen the rest...
    • Wheatwacked
      Zinc glyconate lozenges (Cold Eeze) helps fight off viral respiratory infections by coating the mucous membrane cells to protect them from virus.  Zinc is an antiviral essential mineral. Choline deficieicy can be the cause of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.  It is estimated by some experts that less than 10% eat the minimum RDA of around 450 mg.  It has also been connected to gallbladder disease.  Brain fog and high homosystein blood level is an independant indicator of cardiovascular disease. Eggs and red meat are the primary sources.  Three eggs or 10 cups of cooked brocolli a day.  Low vitamin D is a common denominator of autoimmune disease.  Is it a contributing factor or a result? I think that low vitamin D is maybe the main contributing factor.  Low vitamin D allows the immune system to run amuck. I would like to point out the many diagnosed with Celiac Disease went through several misdiagnoses, like gall bladder disease, and were repeatedly tested negative and then one day tested positive. Regardless of your diagnosis, you should avoid gluten, you mention it in your first post : "When I eat gluten I get a lot of mucus with my stool and most of the times it’s quite thin. As soon as I take gluten away from my diet my stool becomes normal". It can take six months to several years to heal completely.  How long I believe is directly related to how quickly you identify deficiencies and correct. Essential to my recovery:  Thiamine, 10,000 IU vitamin D3 a day, maintaining 25(OH)D at 80 ng/dl (200 nmole/L), 600 mcg Liquid Iodine, Phosphatidyl Choline.  And of course: Gluten Free.
    • RMJ
      Not all of King Arthur’s gluten free flours and baking mixes are certified gluten free. This bread flour is not. 
    • knitty kitty
      Bump up your thiamine dose!  You can take more if you don't feel anything after the first one.  Must needs getting to that 500mg. We need more thiamine when we're fighting an infection.  Zinc will help fight infections, too, as well as Vitamin C. They all work together. Hope you feel better!
×
×
  • Create New...