posted
Hi, My husband will be starting Cefdinir today and I am wondering if he should be taking a probiotic as well? His doctor gave him samples of Culturelle, is this enough? Also, has anyone had any luck with Cefdinir?? Thanks so much for your help!
Posts: 25 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
Is Cefdinir an antibiotic?? If so, then YES he needs a probiotic.
I think Culterelle is a pretty low quality probiotic.** If he's going to be on long term abx, then get him on something like Theralac, Florastor, or Ultimate Flora. (The UF can be found in health food stores.. refrigerated.)
posted
My research on and experimentation with probiotics has yielded the following results:
1) What is a great probiotic for one person might not work very well for another person. Both Theralac and Ultimate Flora did very little to help me, but the Theralac was great for my husband--and for many others here on Lymenet!
2) Florastor or products that contain Saccharomyces boulardii, while not "technically" a probiotic (it's a beneficial yeast) have been clinically proven to reduce the incidence of C. difficile.
3) It can be helpful to take at least two different brands of probiotics, even if they supposedly contain the same types of bacteria.
4) Of course, take your probiotics a few hours apart from your antibiotics.
5) Better quality probiotics usually cost more. However, just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's going a great product, or that it's a great product for *you*.
-AnnaL
P.S. My favorite brands are currently: Natren Healthy Trinity, Sedona Labs iFlora, and Pharmax HLC Intensive capsules.
Posts: 398 | From By the Salish Sea | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
My LLMD recommended jarro-Dophilus EPS because it has 8 strains and are enteric coated (important, because otherwise the stomach breaks down the bacteria before it has a chance to get to the intestines, where it is needed).
It is what I take---not a personal endorsement. I am simply following doctor's orders.
posted
If you have decent insurance, I recommend VSL #3 DS. A partial dose of one packet has several times the bacteria you'll find in OTC brands -- even in good brands. One full packet has an insane amount of bacteria, something like 900 billion consisting of different strains.
And assuming your insurance covers it, it's really cost effective, as you don't have to take a full packet daily.
[ 11-28-2009, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Lemon-Lyme ]
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
VSL # 3 is tested for potency, as is Florastor. Patients take note that Florastor is not really a probiotic, but a beneficial yeast that helps colonize the GI tract to prevent c.diff while you are taking antibiotics, and afterward.
If you can take 1/2 packet of VSL # 3 per day and 2 Florastor, one if cost is an issue. Theralac and UltraFlora are good basic probiotics. You can usually get Florastor covered with insurance, and it is now on most hospital formularies due to the high incidence of c.diff seen there.
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posted
What does VSL #3 stand for, so I can find out if it is covered under my Rx insurance?
Posts: 212 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jul 2009
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
VSL#3. Your insurance may cover it. It scan be prescribed by your doctor in double strength form. I.E. 900 Billion instead of 450.
The name is just VSL#3, that's what it's listed under.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
Great, mine covers VSL#3 DS 20s. Now I need to decide if thats what I want to do or stick with jarrow, which seems to be working for me.
Posts: 212 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
So far, the differences I found were: ======================================= VSL#3 Ds 900 billion bacteria per packet
*Lactobacillus casei *Lactobacillus plantarum *Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus *Bifidobacteria longum *Bifidobacteria breve Bifidobacteria infantis Streptococcus salivarius subsp thermophilus @ my price $28 (with prescription)per 60 packets dose: 1/2 packet per day 40 cents per day ====================================
Jarrow-Dophilus EPS 5 billion organisms per capsule
*Lactobacillus casei R0215 *Lactobacillus plantarum R1012 *Lactobacillus acidophilus *Bifidobacteria longum *Bifidobacteria breve (Morinaga strain) L. rhamnosus R0011 Pediococcus acidlactici R1001 Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis R1058 @ my price $25.87 per 120 capsules (dose: 2 caps per day) 90 cents per day =================================
Is my math right? (not having a good day)
My husband and I both take probiotics, so the savings would be double (80 cents vs. 180 cents per day for the two of us)
For the year: $290 vs $650 ????? Is this right?
The more I try to think about it, the more confused I'm getting.
Can someone help me?
At any rate....there seems to be a lot more bacteria in the VSL for about half the price of the Jarrow. There are a few differences between the compounds...do any of you know the difference between the three that are different between the two?
Posts: 212 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Insurance usually pays for VSL #3 DS, but not the OTC version -- or at least my insurance works that way.
I usually take 1/3rd a packet for 300 billion bacteria daily. So that's 10 packets/month.
And my doc wrote the script for 4 packets daily (max recommended amount). So for a $20 copay, I get 120 packets, which is approx. a year's supply of probiotics (or until the VSL goes bad).
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
I checked our insurance - neither is covered. They're listed, but not covered. And I need a strong probiotic.
I have been able to manage very well on Culturelle, but not anymore. I'm now up to 2 after each meal with a cup of yogurt.
But I'm surviving on Nystatin. Right now I'm brushing my mouth with a very soft toothbrush and Nystatin and using the Nystatin the regular swish till you're about to puke, then swallow. I used to like the flavor.
My mouth is so sore. I'll try the Theralac. I've heard good things about it. Thanks for all the info.
Posts: 108 | From Florida | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I tried Theralac and other probiotics but did not find they were helpful for me and were quite expensive.
I tried Digestive Advantage Sustain and Digestive Advantage IBS formula, whch are much less expensive and available at Wal-Mart and Target. I got the most success with Dig Adv IBS formula.
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