I take abx at 7 am then have yogurt & acidophilus afterwards. Won't the abx kill off the bacteria rather immediately. So eat the yogurt before then take the abx. Same results.

I must be missing something. Rather convenient to blame it on my lyme brain....

Also since they dont get a chance for colonization you have to keep intoducing them over and over.
http://www.usprobiotics.org/docs/Scientific%20Letter%20n%C2%B0%205.pdf

Q: Just what is Acidophilus Plus?
A: Added value foods, that is, foods that do more than just feed us, have become an important part of most diets. One such type of food is called probiotics. Probiotic is a Greek word, which means "for life". It is used to describe the "friendly" bacteria that normally live in our intestinal tract and contribute to good health. Two of these bacteria are lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum. Just what do these friendly bacteria do for us?

Acidophilus and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid, which increase the acidity of the intestine and help prevent the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms. A regular intake of probiotic bacteria can also help prevent vaginal yeast infection.

Probiotics are important in building up the friendly bacteria in the intestine during and after antibiotic use. Remember, antibiotics kill the good, as well as the bad, bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also secrete enzymes, which promote healthy digestion. Acidophilus is a source of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk, which is lacking in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Galliker Dairy has developed Acidophilus Plus milk for those who want to gain the benefits associated with probiotics. We take our 2% Reduced Fat Milk, fortify it with lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum bacteria, and offer it as a supplement to your daily diet. Nonetheless, Acidophilus Plus isn't designed to replace medical care. If you are experiencing severe intestinal problems, be sure to see your doctor.
http://www.gallikers.com/dairyfacts/list.asp

The intestinal tract is colonized shortly after birth by billions of bacteria that live in a cooperative relationship with the body (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). Over 400 species of these friendly bacteria assist with digestion and health. A wide variety of contributions are made by these bacteria. Some of them manufacture B-vitamins such as biotin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid. Others provide the enzyme lactase, which allows for the digestion of milk-based foods and calcium for people who cannot digest milk. When they are present in yogurt or cultured milk, they enhance protein digestion and absorption. Some of the bacteria are anti-carcinogens, protecting the body from developing the tumors of cancer. Others have antibiotic properties by altering the acidity of the gut so that harmful bacteria cannot survive, or by actively producing antibiotic substances. They control potentially harmful yeasts such as candida albicans. They enhance bowel function by increasing peristalsis and reducing the amount of time needed for food to pass through the gastrointestinal system. They play a vital role in the development of a healthy gastrointestinal tract in infants.

Lactobacilli are the major bacterial residents of the gastrointestinal tract--especially the small intestine (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). They withstand a high degree of acidity and actually manufacture acid themselves. Because of their acid-resistance they can colonize areas of the gut that are hostile to other bacteria. Examples of lactobacilli are Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus casei:

Bifidobacteria are the main friendly bacteria in the large intestine (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). These include bacteria such as B.infantis, B.bifidum, B.longum, and B.adolescentis. Bifidobacteria are particularly prevalent in breast-fed infants who may have up to 99% of their total bacterial count as bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria help the body retain nitrogen, which helps infants gain weight. These bacteria also help the child grow by increasing the absorption of calcium. The proportion of these bacteria in the system gradually declines with age.

The balance of friendly intestinal flora in the gastrointestinal tract can be altered by antibiotics, low levels of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices, and stress (Chaitow and Trenev 1990, Schmidt et al 1993). Anything that changes the degree of acidity in the gut, changes the habitat for these bacteria. This changes the type and number of the microorganisms--typically killing large numbers of these friendly intestinal residents and allowing for an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and yeasts. These three factors--antibiotics, reduced hydrochloric acid, and stress--are often chronic companions for the child with a feeding disorder.

Medications that alter the pH by reducing stomach acidity are commonly given if the child has gastroesophageal reflux. These include antacids as well as medications such as H-2 blockers (i.e. Zantac, Tagamet), and proton pump inhibitors (i.e. Prevacid) which reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach. These negatively influence the survival of friendly bacteria that require an acidic environment.

Antibiotics kill bacteria contributing to illness; however, most of them kill the friendly bacteria as well. This is particularly true of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are not targeted at a specific bacteria group. When children are chronically ill or have reduced immune function, they often are given medications such as Bactrim or Ceclor--both broad-spectrum antibiotics--over a long period to prevent further illness.

The most serious gastrointestinal consequence from the use of antibiotics is the uncontrolled growth of the candida albicans yeast (Schmidt et al 1993; Trowbridge and Walker 1986). Candida is present in every gastrointestinal tract to some degree. It is kept in balance and is prevented from colonizing in the wall of the intestine by the friendly bacteria. When these bacteria are wiped out by antibiotics, rampant candida growth occurs. The friendly bacteria produce biotin (a B vitamin) which also controls the growth and shape of the yeast. Candida albicans can take two forms--the first is that of a yeast. In the yeast form, candida grows slowly and does not implant itself in the intestinal wall. When the friendly bacteria are absent or reduced, candida albicans transforms into its secondary form--a fungus. This transformation occurs, in part because of a biotin deficiency.

The distinction between these two states is very important. ``The yeast-like state [of candida] is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, whereas the fungal form produces rhizoids, or very long root-like structures, which can penetrate the mucosa, and it is invasive. Penetration of the gastrointestinal mucosa breaks down the boundary between the intestinal tract and the rest of the circulation allowing introduction into the bloodstream of many substances which are antigenic (i.e. stimulate the immune system to defend itself, possibly resulting in allergic reactions).''(Chaitow and Trenev 1990; p 87)

Thus, the overgrowth of candida can contribute to allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and a wide array of local and systemic symptoms.

Also since they dont get a chance for colonization you have to keep intoducing them over and over.
http://www.usprobiotics.org/docs/Scientific%20Letter%20n%C2%B0%205.pdf

Q: Just what is Acidophilus Plus?
A: Added value foods, that is, foods that do more than just feed us, have become an important part of most diets. One such type of food is called probiotics. Probiotic is a Greek word, which means "for life". It is used to describe the "friendly" bacteria that normally live in our intestinal tract and contribute to good health. Two of these bacteria are lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum. Just what do these friendly bacteria do for us?

Acidophilus and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid, which increase the acidity of the intestine and help prevent the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms. A regular intake of probiotic bacteria can also help prevent vaginal yeast infection.

Probiotics are important in building up the friendly bacteria in the intestine during and after antibiotic use. Remember, antibiotics kill the good, as well as the bad, bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also secrete enzymes, which promote healthy digestion. Acidophilus is a source of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk, which is lacking in lactose-intolerant individuals.

Galliker Dairy has developed Acidophilus Plus milk for those who want to gain the benefits associated with probiotics. We take our 2% Reduced Fat Milk, fortify it with lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum bacteria, and offer it as a supplement to your daily diet. Nonetheless, Acidophilus Plus isn't designed to replace medical care. If you are experiencing severe intestinal problems, be sure to see your doctor.
http://www.gallikers.com/dairyfacts/list.asp

The intestinal tract is colonized shortly after birth by billions of bacteria that live in a cooperative relationship with the body (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). Over 400 species of these friendly bacteria assist with digestion and health. A wide variety of contributions are made by these bacteria. Some of them manufacture B-vitamins such as biotin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid. Others provide the enzyme lactase, which allows for the digestion of milk-based foods and calcium for people who cannot digest milk. When they are present in yogurt or cultured milk, they enhance protein digestion and absorption. Some of the bacteria are anti-carcinogens, protecting the body from developing the tumors of cancer. Others have antibiotic properties by altering the acidity of the gut so that harmful bacteria cannot survive, or by actively producing antibiotic substances. They control potentially harmful yeasts such as candida albicans. They enhance bowel function by increasing peristalsis and reducing the amount of time needed for food to pass through the gastrointestinal system. They play a vital role in the development of a healthy gastrointestinal tract in infants.

Lactobacilli are the major bacterial residents of the gastrointestinal tract--especially the small intestine (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). They withstand a high degree of acidity and actually manufacture acid themselves. Because of their acid-resistance they can colonize areas of the gut that are hostile to other bacteria. Examples of lactobacilli are Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus casei:

Bifidobacteria are the main friendly bacteria in the large intestine (Chaitow and Trenev 1990). These include bacteria such as B.infantis, B.bifidum, B.longum, and B.adolescentis. Bifidobacteria are particularly prevalent in breast-fed infants who may have up to 99% of their total bacterial count as bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria help the body retain nitrogen, which helps infants gain weight. These bacteria also help the child grow by increasing the absorption of calcium. The proportion of these bacteria in the system gradually declines with age.

The balance of friendly intestinal flora in the gastrointestinal tract can be altered by antibiotics, low levels of hydrochloric acid in the digestive juices, and stress (Chaitow and Trenev 1990, Schmidt et al 1993). Anything that changes the degree of acidity in the gut, changes the habitat for these bacteria. This changes the type and number of the microorganisms--typically killing large numbers of these friendly intestinal residents and allowing for an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and yeasts. These three factors--antibiotics, reduced hydrochloric acid, and stress--are often chronic companions for the child with a feeding disorder.

Medications that alter the pH by reducing stomach acidity are commonly given if the child has gastroesophageal reflux. These include antacids as well as medications such as H-2 blockers (i.e. Zantac, Tagamet), and proton pump inhibitors (i.e. Prevacid) which reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach. These negatively influence the survival of friendly bacteria that require an acidic environment.

Antibiotics kill bacteria contributing to illness; however, most of them kill the friendly bacteria as well. This is particularly true of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are not targeted at a specific bacteria group. When children are chronically ill or have reduced immune function, they often are given medications such as Bactrim or Ceclor--both broad-spectrum antibiotics--over a long period to prevent further illness.

The most serious gastrointestinal consequence from the use of antibiotics is the uncontrolled growth of the candida albicans yeast (Schmidt et al 1993; Trowbridge and Walker 1986). Candida is present in every gastrointestinal tract to some degree. It is kept in balance and is prevented from colonizing in the wall of the intestine by the friendly bacteria. When these bacteria are wiped out by antibiotics, rampant candida growth occurs. The friendly bacteria produce biotin (a B vitamin) which also controls the growth and shape of the yeast. Candida albicans can take two forms--the first is that of a yeast. In the yeast form, candida grows slowly and does not implant itself in the intestinal wall. When the friendly bacteria are absent or reduced, candida albicans transforms into its secondary form--a fungus. This transformation occurs, in part because of a biotin deficiency.

The distinction between these two states is very important. ``The yeast-like state [of candida] is a non-invasive, sugar-fermenting organism, whereas the fungal form produces rhizoids, or very long root-like structures, which can penetrate the mucosa, and it is invasive. Penetration of the gastrointestinal mucosa breaks down the boundary between the intestinal tract and the rest of the circulation allowing introduction into the bloodstream of many substances which are antigenic (i.e. stimulate the immune system to defend itself, possibly resulting in allergic reactions).''(Chaitow and Trenev 1990; p 87)

Thus, the overgrowth of candida can contribute to allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and a wide array of local and systemic symptoms.

FINAL CAUTION

Do not take acidophilus at the same time as an antibiotic drug (leave a two hour buffer between pills). Once you have finished a course of antibiotics, continue using acidophilus for at least an additional two weeks.http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/doctortips/1,2316,484_748,00.html

ACIDOPHILUS - Drug Interactions

Antibiotics (prescription or herbal) - deplete the body of both good and bad bacteria. Supplementing with acidophilus is suggested to replace "friendly" bacteria. Acidophilus should be taken 2 hours before or after using any antibiotics. http://www.puhcorp.com/Health_Library/ACIDOPHILUS.htm

When you start to eat, you will produce additional stomach acids to break down the food...to make it available to the beneficial bacteria to utilize...to help you to absorb the nutrients from the foods. These nutrients are also used by the bacteria themselves...to help you to make many vitamins, some enzymes and even some natural "antibiotics".

Get a GOOD probiotic blend, one example is Primal Defense. We have billions of bacteria in our bowels...many varieties.

If a LOT of beneficial bacteria have been knocked off...may need what is called loading doses of the probiotics.

My son was tested for his level of beneficial bacteria. He had ZERO bifidobacter, 1+ lactobacillus and 4+ E. Coli. All should be in the 3-4+ range. He was instructed to take 5 Essential Formulas Probiotics (as above) prior to breakfast and dinner for 6 days. And then maintenance doses.