LymeNet Flash: Can Probiotics Make You Sicker?

This is topic Can Probiotics Make You Sicker? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/107030

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

I had been reading a lot around here about taking probiotics in large doses.

So almost 2 months ago, I switched to Dr. Mercola's brand because it has 66 billion CFU's and 10 strains of probiotics.

Started with one a day then recently upped it to two.

And it just occured to me, ever since I switched, I have had the most awful abdominal pain. I had pain before, but now it is beyond brutal.

Before I switched, I was taking a measly 1 billion CFU's of Align and 1 billion of Pearls. I would say I was doing much better on those two, but got worried they weren't enough.

Can it possibly be this newer, stronger probiotic that is causing this terrible pain?

I've been trying to figure out why it started getting so bad, and then I had a V-8 moment where I slapped myself aside the head and remembered I switched probiotics.

Thoughts? Opinions? [confused]

Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :

In my drug-herb interaction book, it says that the Finnish government notes a wide-spread safety track record with pbx, with exceptionally few "others". Those "others" are inevitably people with severe autoimmune compromise, such as infants born prematurely with malformed intestines and that kind of thing. Short of that, very few incidents.

So...I doubt it.

But if it's the wrong balance of strains for you, maybe you need some different ones to balance them out?

Only a thought.

And maybe I am wrong....the only proof in the pudding is to stop and see what happens. Then try again, to see if it wasn't just a fluke. And stop immediately if the problem resumes.

Have you talked to them about it? To your doc?

Best wishes, CI

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Go back to one a day and see what happens.

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

Thanks CI.

I am going to stop and see what happens and then rechallenge.

I'm wondering if maybe I have bad candida and the stronger probiotic is making it die off.

Literally feels like I drank battery acid.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Dang .. what's IN that product!??

could be die-off ... YEP

Posted by skigal (Member # 7443) on :

Does the brand you have been taking(mercola) have FOS in it?? FOS can cause abdominal issues for some people.

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lymetoo:
Dang .. what's IN that product!??

could be die-off ... YEP

I'm having more and more indicators that I have the dreaded yeasty beasties.

But I've never had a yeast problem...down there. Ever. That's what confuses me.

But I have baaaaaaad dandruff and lately my tongue has been looking slightly coated.

I would tell you what is in this stuff, but I can't read the dern label. The print is too tiny and I don't have my contacts in. [dizzy]

All I know is it has 66 billion CFU's and 10 strains of...something.

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

quote:
Originally posted by skigal:
Does the brand you have been taking(mercola) have FOS in it?? FOS can cause abdominal issues for some people.

YES! It does!

It says Nutraflora scFOS

Holy Moly....glad I asked.

Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :

I used Primal Defense probiotics just to see if it would provide any benefit. I do not have Lyme, but I do have Crohn's Disease.

I had used the same brand a couple of years before, and they had no effect, good or bad. I bought a new bottle and that spurred some chronic diarrhea. I had to quit taking them.

Why they did not have any effect the first time, and caused this problem later on is not known to me.

I guess you have to go by your individual response at the time. Even that can change from one year to the next.

Dan

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Yeah, it could be the FOS. Your next bottle should be Theralac! [Wink]

Hambone, I rarely EVER have yeast in the usual place .. just the gut. I've never even had thrush.

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Lymetoo:
Yeah, it could be the FOS. Your next bottle should be Theralac!

Hambone, I rarely EVER have yeast in the usual place .. just the gut. I've never even had thrush.

Theralac...Thanks. I was gonna ask but you beat me to it [Smile]

Pain is much better today ( didn't take a probiotic last night ).

But I am sooooooooooooooooo sick [Frown]

Feel so poisoned and toxic.

Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :

I had posted something similiar a few days ago re; herxing from pro.'s.

I had changed my pro.'s and upped the dosage from 20 billion to 250 billion and started feeling "off". The pro. I am taking does claim to be able to actually kill the yeast.

Had so many neuro and body pain symptoms come up since taking these new pro.s but I was also on a 5 week abx. break so I don't know what is what. Plus I have been finding ticks all over me and my property..

Ended up taking 200 mg.s of Doxy and herxed really bad so maybe not all to do with yeast and probiotics.

Are you taking anything to help bind with the yeast toxins that may be floating around making you feel toxic?

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

Stopped probiotics. Pain reduced about 75%.

Desertwind....I've been slack about binders. Was using Chlorella and apple pectin, but got lazy about it.

I don't feel "as" toxic now. Really wondering if the probiotics were really killing candida and the die-off was beyond brutal.

Do you think it's time I ask my doc for Diflucan? Or should I just stick with Nystatin?

Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :

I get sulfite reactions from high-dose probiotics. So I take a probiotic that has 1 billion cfu's and do fine with it. If I increase, I get constipation, pain, heartburn, reflux, etc. ~ the whole gammut of sulfite reaction symptoms.

And don't even get me started on Primal Defense...that stuff is pure poison for me. Took half a tablet and it knocked me for a loop for weeks.

So yes, it is possible to react negatively to probiotics.

Also, sometimes one can increase their dose too quickly. And one should drink a full glass of water with the probiotics also...especially if it contains FOS. The FOS feeds the probiotics and thus may create extra gas if one isn't accustomed to having FOS in their gut. Other things can feed probiotics, also - soluble fiber of any kind is good (fruits & veggies, some nuts/seeds/whole grains depending on tolerance).

Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :

Thanks Razzle.

Primal Defense tore me to shreds about a year ago. Felt like I was going to die. Made me feel flu-like. That experience is what made me think about this new Dr. Mercola probiotic being the culprit.

I just don't do well with strong brands. Going to have to go back to what I wad doing and slowly work up.

I must be awfully loaded with candida in the gut and just never realized.