I understand why you would want to take probiotics while off antibiotics.
Why bother taking them at the same time? If you are maintaining a fairly constant blood level of abx by taking one or more of them several times a day, aren't you just killing the probiotics as soon as they become visible?
My LLMD says just take acidopholus for now, while on abx. Opinions?
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
It is very important to take probiotics while on abx, as the abx kill both the good and bad bacteria. Probiotics should be taken two hours before or after taking antibiotics or any anti-bacterial supplements.
We all have good bacteria in our gut to maintain a healthy body and if it is disturbed, a systemic yeast infection can set in (very difficult to get rid of and you can die from it!).
You should take probiotics for about six months after you stop taking abx, better to keep taking them every day (depending on how long you have used abx).
My son has been taking Theralac for the past five years and he has had no yeast infections. You need a good quality probiotic with a high CFU count (I think at least 10 billion).
Hope this helps.
Posted by Nebula (Member # 31636) on :
Not at all, you are making up for what you would be killing off or the damage to "good bacteria" in the body. Acidophilus over the counter in my opinion is very weak and ineffective. I think Theralac may be a little better it's just much more pricey.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
If you don't take TONS of them constantly while on abx, you will PAY for many years after treatment. Just the voice of experience here.
Posted by Bluemoon (Member # 25255) on :
The probiotics are for your digestive system. Also, good ones will contain beneficial yeast, which are not killed by abx.
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
The first few years of my treatment I paid no attention to probiotics - that was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. Now I cannot tell what is coming from lyme and what is coming from systemic candidas. Plus they just feed off of each other as far as I am concerned...
Not much at all to add to what has already been said - just to repeat - you must replace what you are killing off. Have to attempt to level the playing field in your gut. I take 250-300 Billion a day now.
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
I can understand the thinking here, but chime in with others above to ditto.
YOu need a reserve bank to shield what is left so you don' t lose all that you have, to the abx.
ABX not only can and will cause Candida infections if you don't take probiotics, they also can cause collitis due to loss of pbx. (There may be other causes too, I am not a doctor).
Pbx can shield you and it's important to do lots of them. Supplements, yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchee, any source you can think of.
I also think to take gut shielding herbs like marshmallow root or meadowsweet is important.
Meadowsweet is available organic, checked for heavy metals et al, at Star West Botanicals in CA look them up on the web.
Best, CI
PS the beneficial yeast to which Blue Moon is referring: Saccharomyces Boulardii
This is called "yeast against yeast" by the French because it is a yeast organism yet it fights Candida. Aids stool formation and evacuation as I understand it too.
Lovely name, Bluemoon what creativity!
The information above has not been evaluated by the FDA and products above are not intended to diagose, prevent or cure any disease.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sorry to hear that, triathlongal. I know someone who didn't replace with probiotics and they now have a life threatening fungal infection.
I battle yeast everyday even though I maintained a healthy sugar free diet the whole time. I was just using a crappy probiotic and didn't know it.
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
Lymetoo; Thanks...(I use to be Trigal but lost my password and changed computers - so I look to be new but I am not!). I thought in the beginning all the gut issued did not apply to me because I was so "healthy", I thought alot of things did not apply to me and I learned the hard way. Lyme and its treatment has quite a humbling effect.
If only I knew then what I know now. I cannot even take Nystatin without such a horrible herx reaction - I know I have to start somewhere but everytime I go on a yeast killer (pharam. or herbal) I get so sick and goopy feeling it is just not toleable.
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
My LLMD told me to take the Acidophilus (1 to 3 pills) with each meal. But not at the same time as the antibiotic. They said take 1 and if I feel sick or have stomach issues take 2 or 3. I just started treatment yesterday so can't share how its working yet.
Here's a questions though... I just realized my bottle of Aciduphilus says to refrigerate after opening?? How can I refrigerate if I have to carry them with me all day to take with each meal.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I agree with others. You must take them even while on abx. My LLMD refuses to prescribe abx unless one is on a probiotic.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hi Trigal .. are you on the diet?? If you get really strict with it ..the die-off won't be as bad. Can you take Diflucan??
Danielle.. "acidophilus" means ONE STRAIN of probiotic. Find one that contains numerous strains so you will be well covered.
There are some probiotics that don't have to be refrigerated. You could buy Theralac and keep it refrigerated, then take out one pill per day to take while at work ... OR better yet...
Take the Theralac in the morning before you leave and one at night when you go to bed. You will be well covered with those two pills.
Lymetoo - but the LLMD instructed to take with EACH meal.. Does that sound odd? The bottle says 1 a day. Maybe I should go to a health food store and ask them about probiotics. (I got mine at Walgreens) I never took vitamins or any pills for that matter before this so know NOTHING about any of them.
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
lymetoo; I WAS on the diet and then slowly drifted off. As I got feeling better I was able to exercise more. My appitite for carbs and just plain old calories really increased.
I thought I was well enough to go on my pre-lyme diet of years ago(wishful thinking!!!). That was when I added nightly desserts (I still am very aware of not eating food allergies such as gluten)that things started getting ugly. I noticed alot of "lyme-like" symptoms return after going off the candidas diet.
Now, I am back on the diet- only day 3 and hope that a more gentle die off will be more tolerable. Never tried Dif. - too chicken:)
Posted by triathlongal (Member # 31684) on :
DanielleMC; I just wanted to add; be sure to look at what the filler ingrediants are - some of the cheapo brands have some not so good fillers in them.
Also, if you have a dairy allergy be aware since most pro.s do have some trace amounts of dairy. If you are really sensitive to dairy you might opt for a dairy free version.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Danielle... I've always taken my probiotics on an empty stomach. You don't want them covered up with food.
If you're just taking them because you have digestive upset, then taking them with food might be OK. I take mine first thing in the morning and then eat 45 min later. And I take them at bedtime.
Trigal .. yes, after a week or two the die-off should be better. ( and so will the cravings )
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
triathlongal - What filer ingredients should I avoid in a good probiotic? This is all so confusing.
Thank you Lymetoo for your input!!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
The better products have few fillers .. I'm not sure which ones she is talking about.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
good heavens. you need the probiotics. you're just playing russian roulette and eventually, believe me, you WILL get c. diff. no doubt about it and you can take it to the bank.
you do need probiotics after stopping the abx also because your system is still basically sterilized.
i take vsl #3 and theralac, plus the acido. and i also take digestive enzymes.
yes, some probiotics will give me diahhrea adn i have to back off.
but, man, don't ever not take them.
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
If you get diahhrea with the acido, does that mean your taking too much?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i take abx with breakfast and supper. then before bed i take probiotics. with theralc you take way less than others cuz hey are so potent
that way they have 10 hrs or so to do their thing without the abx
Posted by dsiebenh (Member # 5353) on :
FYI All:
I did order VSL#3. HOWEVER, I also spoke with a VSL technical rep and she told me that it really does not make sense to take VSL while on antibiotics.
She told me that this is the one contraindication listed in their literature. The antibiotics will kill the VSL bacteria immediately.
One could take VSL while on a break from antibiotics and a "typical" person would restore normal gut flora in under a month, if not on abx. (I know we're not "typical.")
Then within a couple of weeks, the benefits of VSL wear off after not taking them.
I am not saying to stop taking VSL, especially if you can tell it benefits you, but apparently their own literature instructs you to not take it while on antibiotics.
Their staff was pleasant and well informed, and I suggest you call them with questions. The number is on the web site.
Posted by rosebuds mom (Member # 17435) on :
Danielle, You may be experiencing die off of the bad bacteria in your gut. Not unusual. My bet is that if you deep taking it, slowly it will improve.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by dsiebenh: FYI All:
I did order VSL#3. HOWEVER, I also spoke with a VSL technical rep and she told me that it really does not make sense to take VSL while on antibiotics.
She told me that this is the one contraindication listed in their literature. The antibiotics will kill the VSL bacteria immediately.
- That is the standard belief of most "ducks" too .. I don't think they know what they're talking about.
That is why we take them 2 hrs away from the abx. It's gotta help.
Posted by hopeful_K (Member # 25915) on :
My doc told me to take my probiotics the entire time I'm on abx but not take them at the same time. I space these out by 4 hours and that seems to work.