Probiotics Side Effects?

[GlutenFreeManna]

Ive been taking some probiotics for 4 days now. Ever since I started on them I have felt really hungry but when I try to eat I feel full after just a few bites. I'm also bloated slightly, but not uncomfortably so. I tried contacting the company to make sure they were gluten free and got the usual CYA statement. I decided to take them anyway because they are the only non-dairy probiotic I could find. Now I am reconsidering. I'm fairly certain this is not a gluten reaction. What I need to know is are these just normal side effect of taking a probiotic? will the hunger with full feeling go away after a few weeks when my body gets used to it? Or do you think I should stop taking it?

[Edo]

I know that when one starts a probiotic, it is possible to get a reaction, usually for no more than a few days, until one's body has adjusted to it. I don't think I've ever heard of hunger being a reaction though, only things like upset stomach/bowel changes. But I suppose it's possible, and maybe it will go away soon.

What kind are you using? I used PB8 for a long time, which is gluten-free and also comes in a dairy-free version.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I know that when one starts a probiotic, it is possible to get a reaction, usually for no more than a few days, until one's body has adjusted to it. I don't think I've ever heard of hunger being a reaction though, only things like upset stomach/bowel changes. But I suppose it's possible, and maybe it will go away soon.

What kind are you using? I used PB8 for a long time, which is gluten-free and also comes in a dairy-free version.

Thanks. The brand I'm using is Solaray Non-dairy triple strain (3 Billion) Mulidophilus. it was the only one I saw that was dairy free at my local Vitamin Shoppe. I haven't had any stomach upset just a lot of stomach gurling/rumbling like it's hungry, but I'm not able to eat much in one sitting.

Questiosn for you (or anyone that knows): if I order a probiotic online do they deliver it in a cooler or something? I read that the "good" ones need refridgeration to remain alive, so I went with one from the cooler in the store instead of one of the ones on the shelf. If anyone can give me clarifiaction on the difference between the ones on the shelf and the ones in the cooler that would be great because I think I might have more options for dairy-free shelf-stable ones.

[joej1]

When i started probiotics i definately felt off for more than a week. You have to remember these are Living organisms that are going to change the internal ecosystem in your digestive tract. They help digest food and fight off bad bugs. Most people with gluten intolerance have screwed up systems and bugs. What my practitioner had me do was cut the dose in half and proceed and see how you feel. If it levels out then add in a little more.

[Edo]

Thanks. The brand I'm using is Solaray Non-dairy triple strain (3 Million) Mulidophilus. it was the only one I saw that was dairy free at my local Vitamin Shoppe. I haven't had any stomach upset just a lot of stomach gurling/rumbling like it's hungry, but I'm not able to eat much in one sitting.

Questiosn for you (or anyone that knows): if I order a probiotic online do they deliver it in a cooler or something? I read that the "good" ones need refridgeration to remain alive, so I went with one from the cooler in the store instead of one of the ones on the shelf. If anyone can give me clarifiaction on the difference between the ones on the shelf and the ones in the cooler that would be great because I think I might have more options for dairy-free shelf-stable ones.

I've heard the same thing about the benefits of refrigeration. I've tried several probiotics over the past 16 months because I have persistent GI issues, and am currently trying ReNew Life Ultimate Flora with 80 billion cultures and 14 strains (it may have traces of dairy and soy, which don't bother me in small amounts), because of the high dose and refrigeration. But to be honest, I haven't really noticed any difference in my issues between any of the different brands and doses I've tried, so I dunno what's up with that. But I agree with the above poster that everyone is different, and can have very different reactions. You can always try starting small and building up the dose as they did, or try a different one if Solaray keeps bothering you.

And yes, some places online will ship with a cool pack. You will have to check with the particular store if they don't visibly say they offer it. I know that luckyvitamin.com will give you the option to do this if refrigeration is recommended by the manufacturer. I usually order from there.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I've heard the same thing about the benefits of refrigeration. I've tried several probiotics over the past 16 months because I have persistent GI issues, and am currently trying ReNew Life Ultimate Flora with 80 billion cultures and 14 strains (it may have traces of dairy and soy, which don't bother me in small amounts), because of the high dose and refrigeration. But to be honest, I haven't really noticed any difference in my issues between any of the different brands and doses I've tried, so I dunno what's up with that. But I agree with the above poster that everyone is different, and can have very different reactions. You can always try starting small and building up the dose as they did, or try a different one if Solaray keeps bothering you.

And yes, some places online will ship with a cool pack. You will have to check with the particular store if they don't visibly say they offer it. I know that luckyvitamin.com will give you the option to do this if refrigeration is recommended by the manufacturer. I usually order from there.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. My dr reccomended probiotics because I have been on a lot of really heavy antibiotics the last few years, starting when I had a staphe infection about three years ago and most recently for pnuemonia. I've been developign new food allergies/intolerances and I'm hoping to stop that and reverse some of the intolerances. Unfortunately I do need the probiotics to be dairy free because I have an anaphylactic reaction to dairy.

[Edo]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. My dr reccomended probiotics because I have been on a lot of really heavy antibiotics the last few years, starting when I had a staphe infection about three years ago and most recently for pnuemonia. I've been developign new food allergies/intolerances and I'm hoping to stop that and reverse some of the intolerances. Unfortunately I do need the probiotics to be dairy free because I have an anaphylactic reaction to dairy.

Yeah, antibiotics will really mess up the balance of bacteria in the gut. Especially for celiacs who already have messed up guts as it is. My GI issues got so severe after a course of antibiotics for a UTI, I finally went to my doctor despite no health insurance and low funds, because I was in so much pain I was afraid I was dying! And that's when I found out about celiac, and here I am. I'm a million times better now, but still have issues, probably separate from probiotics since they don't seem to make much difference for me.

I hope the probiotics do their job for you, as it seems you really need them after going through all that! I've heard many stories of members here getting over intolerances after healing for a while and getting their systems back in balance. Maybe other members will recommend you some dairy-free brands if you decide to switch, as a lot of us here can't have dairy. You seem to be on the right track though.

[love2travel]

After reading about the virtues of probiotics here I decided taking them four days ago, too, to help heal my gut (was on three rounds of antibiotics in 2011 for emergency root canals and pneumonia). However, I have severe debilitating diarrhea and the only thing that I have changed in my diet is that. Hopefully this does not last much longer!

Does anyone have any success using PeptoBismol?

GFManna, are you tolerating the probiotics better these days?