Saccharomyces Boulardii Probiotic Helped!
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Saccharomyces Boulardii Probiotic Helped!
Recently went to urgent care for a throat culture for strep. While I was there, the doctor asked about my MC. I told her I was still having some problems. She mentioned the pro-biotic saccharomyces. I then went to my naturopath that week and she recommended the same thing. I have been taking it for about a week and a half. After a week of taking it, my MC symptoms disappeared completely!. I thought I would pass it along in case anybody else is desperate for help. The brand I am taking is made by Ortho Molecular.
Anna V.
Anna, that's good news! I take S. boulardii (from a different manufacturer - I will keep an eye out for the brand you're using on my travels). I do think it helps. It isn't a magic bullet, and I still maintain my diet restrictions, and always will. I will be interested to hear whether you take it ongoingly, or temporarily.
Best,
Sara
Best,
Sara
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draperygoddess
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:49 am
- Location: Tennessee
Cynthia,
I was taking Jarrow brand, which I had originally bought to break the cycle of my late mother's recurring C.diff. infections. I'm not taking it at the moment, because I think it should work if used in a cyclical manner (like, on for a month, then off for a month???), but my thinking isn't super-worked-out.
I got it in a health-food store, and I bet you could order it at iHerb.com as well. I like iHerb because you can see the complete ingredients list for every product, so you can be sure you're choosing DF/GF/SF/*F products. (You could compare other brands, too - this is the brand I have found in local stores, but that doesn't mean it's the best or the most reasonably priced!)
I am considering a probiotic from Enzymedica - and also drinking Kombucha pretty often, and hoping for the So Delicious brand to bring out their 'Greek style' coconut yogurt, which will be less sweet than their regular varieties. I am becoming more anti-sweetness all the time (except for bittersweet chocolate, of course!).
If you are sensitive to yeast, it might not be the right choice. It's a very individual experiment, for sure...
Please let us know if you decide to include this in your regimen, and how it goes, and best of luck,
Sara
I was taking Jarrow brand, which I had originally bought to break the cycle of my late mother's recurring C.diff. infections. I'm not taking it at the moment, because I think it should work if used in a cyclical manner (like, on for a month, then off for a month???), but my thinking isn't super-worked-out.
I got it in a health-food store, and I bet you could order it at iHerb.com as well. I like iHerb because you can see the complete ingredients list for every product, so you can be sure you're choosing DF/GF/SF/*F products. (You could compare other brands, too - this is the brand I have found in local stores, but that doesn't mean it's the best or the most reasonably priced!)
I am considering a probiotic from Enzymedica - and also drinking Kombucha pretty often, and hoping for the So Delicious brand to bring out their 'Greek style' coconut yogurt, which will be less sweet than their regular varieties. I am becoming more anti-sweetness all the time (except for bittersweet chocolate, of course!).
If you are sensitive to yeast, it might not be the right choice. It's a very individual experiment, for sure...
Please let us know if you decide to include this in your regimen, and how it goes, and best of luck,
Sara
I wish I could become anti sweetness. )-; (Smileys gone again).
I have to start eating very, very strictly for 2 weeks. I need to figure out what is making me so sick.
I ordered the culturelle brand from vitacost. I just finished my probiotics (different type) and am happy to try another one, especially one that is recommended.
I have to start eating very, very strictly for 2 weeks. I need to figure out what is making me so sick.
I ordered the culturelle brand from vitacost. I just finished my probiotics (different type) and am happy to try another one, especially one that is recommended.
I actually eat 'strictly' all the time now - and weirdly enough, for me it's about 1000 times easier than having more flexible rules. (Forgive me if I've said this 30 times since you joined, Lesley - it's a revelation to me, having been not exactly the poster-gal for strictness all my life.) I know that sounds like deprivation, from a certain angle. It doesn't feel that way at all.
We went to a party last night for our CSA - I just didn't eat at all, until we got home. I could have probably cruised the crudites to figure out which were least likely to have been dripped on by the dairy spreads, or cross-contamined by proximity to bread and crackers... but I spent the time chatting with people I enjoy but usually only see briefly. It was so much less stressful... and I feel so much better, on a regular basis.
Hope the Culturelle is helpful. I haven't tried that one yet, but have heard good things. I don't think probiotics can 'cure' MC, but once a certain stage of healing is reached, I believe (hope?) they can be a helpful component in long-term recovery - if we find the right one for us. I am alternating two, based on a theory I haven't thought through completely. Hope I'm not working against myself...
--Sara
We went to a party last night for our CSA - I just didn't eat at all, until we got home. I could have probably cruised the crudites to figure out which were least likely to have been dripped on by the dairy spreads, or cross-contamined by proximity to bread and crackers... but I spent the time chatting with people I enjoy but usually only see briefly. It was so much less stressful... and I feel so much better, on a regular basis.
Hope the Culturelle is helpful. I haven't tried that one yet, but have heard good things. I don't think probiotics can 'cure' MC, but once a certain stage of healing is reached, I believe (hope?) they can be a helpful component in long-term recovery - if we find the right one for us. I am alternating two, based on a theory I haven't thought through completely. Hope I'm not working against myself...
--Sara
I have eliminated gluten, and now have eliminated goat and sheep's cheeses and yogurts. I am sticking to home made chicken soup, rice and one egg for breakfast with toast made of Udi's bread, until I can figure out a substitute.
I know you eat meat muffins (and find your recipe). I need to get used to that so I can switch to see if eggs have any effect on me.
It's the heartburn right now. Yesterday it was the D + the heartburn.
I feel as if my whole digestive tract is rebelling against everything. I have to get it healed. It scares me to eat.
I am staying off the sweet also. I need to lose my sweet tooth, but I also have to solve the dry mouth problem without drinking water because of my electrolyte problem. Solve one, another rears it's ugly head. Damned if I do, and damned if I don't.
May I ask what you do that gives you such a good understanding of the science behind all this?
Thanks for letting me vent.
I know you eat meat muffins (and find your recipe). I need to get used to that so I can switch to see if eggs have any effect on me.
It's the heartburn right now. Yesterday it was the D + the heartburn.
I feel as if my whole digestive tract is rebelling against everything. I have to get it healed. It scares me to eat.
I am staying off the sweet also. I need to lose my sweet tooth, but I also have to solve the dry mouth problem without drinking water because of my electrolyte problem. Solve one, another rears it's ugly head. Damned if I do, and damned if I don't.
May I ask what you do that gives you such a good understanding of the science behind all this?
Thanks for letting me vent.
I know that feeling, the whole digestive tract being in an uproar. I swear, from the insides of my nostrils to the very bottom of the food chain (so to speak), I didn't have a mucous membrane that wasn't infuriated, back when I was first reacting. It is exhausting, and scary. I only had hearburn as a pretty minor symptom - all my sympathy that you have this to deal with as well.
There is a recipe for a rehydration drink in the Dee's Kitchen section here - you might be able to tweak that for your own electrolyte issues. I cannot bear to be thirsty or have a dry mouth (and now am wondering whether I didn't have simmering Sjogren's for years... which hopefully will never surface as a problem now - my eyes are also very dry). I was really living on homemade chicken broth, which is probably also better than plain water, in terms of electrolytes. (I realize you have a much better understanding than I do about your particular electrolytes imbalance, and how important it is to be careful with it!)
I'm just a civilian, but MC really got my brain intensely focused on these issues. I learned most of what I know here on this forum - I have read a bunch of other sources, but most of them I discovered either directly through this forum (and often when Tex or another kind, wise member has drawn my attention to the topic - especially Tex, who is truly masterful at keeping all this content straight in a way that he can pull the perfect link). (For work, I garden and teach gardening, among other things - I'm a recovering software project-manager type - and though I am flattered, do take my 'scientific' thoughts with skepticism, because I believe I am sometimes relating solid news - which I have learned from others - and at other times, I have moments of, um, imagination, educated guessing, and just plain rants...)
And speaking of rants - you are most welcome to vent, any time. Actively flaring MC is a crummy deal, no doubt about it - with heartburn, even more so.
Feel better,
Sara
There is a recipe for a rehydration drink in the Dee's Kitchen section here - you might be able to tweak that for your own electrolyte issues. I cannot bear to be thirsty or have a dry mouth (and now am wondering whether I didn't have simmering Sjogren's for years... which hopefully will never surface as a problem now - my eyes are also very dry). I was really living on homemade chicken broth, which is probably also better than plain water, in terms of electrolytes. (I realize you have a much better understanding than I do about your particular electrolytes imbalance, and how important it is to be careful with it!)
I'm just a civilian, but MC really got my brain intensely focused on these issues. I learned most of what I know here on this forum - I have read a bunch of other sources, but most of them I discovered either directly through this forum (and often when Tex or another kind, wise member has drawn my attention to the topic - especially Tex, who is truly masterful at keeping all this content straight in a way that he can pull the perfect link). (For work, I garden and teach gardening, among other things - I'm a recovering software project-manager type - and though I am flattered, do take my 'scientific' thoughts with skepticism, because I believe I am sometimes relating solid news - which I have learned from others - and at other times, I have moments of, um, imagination, educated guessing, and just plain rants...)
And speaking of rants - you are most welcome to vent, any time. Actively flaring MC is a crummy deal, no doubt about it - with heartburn, even more so.
Feel better,
Sara
Tex really is masterful! I have a fairly substantial medical background, but I could never put together the things you guys come up with.
Mind you, I was TERRIBLE at physiology. I made it through the exams, but not easily. I can manage it when I can connect it with something I can SEE.
You cannot be "just a layman". No such thing. The very fact you are a a software project manager (albeit recovering - which I love) means you have some technical ability. Gardening seriously also requires scientific thought.
Now I know what you do (WEG) may I ask you a gardening question? I have a small balcony, and have to grow things. Without growing things I get depressed.
I have geraniums. Something keeps getting to them and eating the blooms. I can't tell you what it looks like - little black dots and the flowers are eaten up. Some of the leaves too, but mostly the flowers. I am trying to get them off, but it's really hard.
I also have a hydrangea which I have brought back, has been destroyed, and is coming back again. The leaves have a moldy look whenever whatever it is gets too them. How can I stop this? What can I use? I LOVE my plants. They make me happy.
I hope you don't mind me picking your brain.
Mind you, I was TERRIBLE at physiology. I made it through the exams, but not easily. I can manage it when I can connect it with something I can SEE.
You cannot be "just a layman". No such thing. The very fact you are a a software project manager (albeit recovering - which I love) means you have some technical ability. Gardening seriously also requires scientific thought.
Now I know what you do (WEG) may I ask you a gardening question? I have a small balcony, and have to grow things. Without growing things I get depressed.
I have geraniums. Something keeps getting to them and eating the blooms. I can't tell you what it looks like - little black dots and the flowers are eaten up. Some of the leaves too, but mostly the flowers. I am trying to get them off, but it's really hard.
I also have a hydrangea which I have brought back, has been destroyed, and is coming back again. The leaves have a moldy look whenever whatever it is gets too them. How can I stop this? What can I use? I LOVE my plants. They make me happy.
I hope you don't mind me picking your brain.
Where are you located? And - is it sunny/shady? The black pests on the geraniums sound like aphids, which are annoying but not hard to defeat, with squishing, or soapy water spray, or some combo thereof. (Depending where you live, of course - here in the Northeast, they have a pretty brief season.) Another awesome solution is to learn to love something that aphids don't care for.
Plants on terraces/in containers are more likely to be stressed, so more vulnerable to pests and diseases. The moldy Hydrangea sounds like powdery mildew, and you could spray it with something like Neem oil (after careful study of the label instructions, of course). Hydrangeas tend to be more upset about missing a watering than some other shrubs (so they get stressed). I am a huge fan of growing things that aren't terribly susceptible, because I am not a huge fan of spraying. The head gardener at Versailles issued an absolute ban on spraying some years back, and I figure - if he can infuriate the entire French nation, and tolerate the flak he took for either pulling out or *letting die* whatever couldn't handle the no-spray situation... maybe my esthetic tolerance can make a little adjustment, too. And now, apparently, Versailles is full of birds and insects that hadn't been seen there for - probably for centuries.
You're right, btw - gardening for real is wonderfully nerdy. I approach everything I do in a pretty geeky, yet playful, fashion, including knitting, cooking, music, gardening, and it is a marvelous thing how art and science play so beautifully together (and a tragedy that both are so poorly taught, in general). This is one of the things that makes talking to doctors so frustrating - I had a phone conversation with my gyn last week, and she was just stuck on something I said, which didn't make sense to her. Who am I supposed to believe - her, or my own eyes? (Is that Groucho Marx? I think I'm going to share that little quote with her, at our next appointment, if I can do it with good grace.) Literally, I could hear her doubting my observation, because, you know, her theory is more real to her than Life On Earth. And, btw, she called ME - it's not as though I was looking to convince her of anything.
But back to your terrace - I made a bunch of assumptions in formulating those suggestions... but the main thing is to choose plants that are likely to be happy in the conditions you actually have (is it windy, btw?), and then give them the best possible care - great potting soil, excellent drainage, right size container - and it all gets much easier if you set up a modest little irrigation system, even in a small terrace. Plus it means you can spend your garden moments curled up with a book, instead of hauling water, which is not the fun part...
It must be deeply part of our nature to love plants. It's amazing how much better I see now, after some years in the garden biz...
Plants on terraces/in containers are more likely to be stressed, so more vulnerable to pests and diseases. The moldy Hydrangea sounds like powdery mildew, and you could spray it with something like Neem oil (after careful study of the label instructions, of course). Hydrangeas tend to be more upset about missing a watering than some other shrubs (so they get stressed). I am a huge fan of growing things that aren't terribly susceptible, because I am not a huge fan of spraying. The head gardener at Versailles issued an absolute ban on spraying some years back, and I figure - if he can infuriate the entire French nation, and tolerate the flak he took for either pulling out or *letting die* whatever couldn't handle the no-spray situation... maybe my esthetic tolerance can make a little adjustment, too. And now, apparently, Versailles is full of birds and insects that hadn't been seen there for - probably for centuries.
You're right, btw - gardening for real is wonderfully nerdy. I approach everything I do in a pretty geeky, yet playful, fashion, including knitting, cooking, music, gardening, and it is a marvelous thing how art and science play so beautifully together (and a tragedy that both are so poorly taught, in general). This is one of the things that makes talking to doctors so frustrating - I had a phone conversation with my gyn last week, and she was just stuck on something I said, which didn't make sense to her. Who am I supposed to believe - her, or my own eyes? (Is that Groucho Marx? I think I'm going to share that little quote with her, at our next appointment, if I can do it with good grace.) Literally, I could hear her doubting my observation, because, you know, her theory is more real to her than Life On Earth. And, btw, she called ME - it's not as though I was looking to convince her of anything.
But back to your terrace - I made a bunch of assumptions in formulating those suggestions... but the main thing is to choose plants that are likely to be happy in the conditions you actually have (is it windy, btw?), and then give them the best possible care - great potting soil, excellent drainage, right size container - and it all gets much easier if you set up a modest little irrigation system, even in a small terrace. Plus it means you can spend your garden moments curled up with a book, instead of hauling water, which is not the fun part...
It must be deeply part of our nature to love plants. It's amazing how much better I see now, after some years in the garden biz...
Sara and Lesley,
Gardening is my pick-me-up, too. I have a big plot of flowers right outside my kitchen door and look at it every time I'm in my kitchen (which is pretty often these days). After our huge oak tree fell last year, we decided to make the most of the newly sun-filled front yard and plant many flowers. I think we planted over 100 tulips and daffodils. Then I nursed zinnia seeds to enjoy their flowers for the rest of the season. Now I'm collecting and storing all the seeds and am planning next summer's visual extravaganza.
My vegetable garden is about 50 feet wide and 15 feet deep and gives me much satisfaction, too. I hope that one of these years, my efforts will provide me with vegetables I can eat. In the meantime, my daughter, husband, and neighbors enjoy the produce.
I've figured out that one of the reasons winter is so dreary is because I can't admire my lovely flowers and watch my vegetables grow. Gardening is very therapeutic.
Gloria
Gardening is my pick-me-up, too. I have a big plot of flowers right outside my kitchen door and look at it every time I'm in my kitchen (which is pretty often these days). After our huge oak tree fell last year, we decided to make the most of the newly sun-filled front yard and plant many flowers. I think we planted over 100 tulips and daffodils. Then I nursed zinnia seeds to enjoy their flowers for the rest of the season. Now I'm collecting and storing all the seeds and am planning next summer's visual extravaganza.
My vegetable garden is about 50 feet wide and 15 feet deep and gives me much satisfaction, too. I hope that one of these years, my efforts will provide me with vegetables I can eat. In the meantime, my daughter, husband, and neighbors enjoy the produce.
I've figured out that one of the reasons winter is so dreary is because I can't admire my lovely flowers and watch my vegetables grow. Gardening is very therapeutic.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I'm on the west coast. A suburb of LA. The balcony is very sunny in the winter, not windy, and has one shady spot where the impatiens are growing in the summer. I did try neem oil a while back. If the geraniums don't work here I will find something else. Seems to be the only one attacked (apart from the hydrangea) that is having problems, so it's the one that gets the spray.
I have lantana, marigolds, straw plants, a wonderful fern (grown from a couple of sticks with a leaf or 2 on them) bougainvillea, a rosemary plant and another creeper, whose name escapes me right now.
I have bees, insects and humming birds visiting me, And looking over my balcony onto the boats on the bay gives me a lot of joy.
Our balconies don't lend themselves to any sort of irrigation system unfortunately. The plants are well drained.
I would LOVE to have a garden where I could grow veggies, but that's not possible.
Our balconies don't lend themselves to any sort of irrigation system, unfortunately.
I used to knit, draw and paint, but given my shoulder problems and my back problems I can't do that anymore. I used to be very active, but nowadays I go to the pool to move so that the pain is not agonizing, merely on the verge of unbearable.
I am SO grateful to have a pool to go to. That's where I meet people, get a chance to talk to them, and even collect some "patients" who ask me for advice. It's fun!
Docs are dense. My internist at least listens, but she doesn't branch out as a result. There are so few that really are willing to go beyond med school.
I am dying to know your gyn's reaction to the Graucho Marks quote. If you manage to slip it in do report!
Gloria, your garden sounds wonderful! Although I could not manage it nowadays I can have my little balcony blooming, but I would LOVE to be able to look out on the view you describe.
I have lantana, marigolds, straw plants, a wonderful fern (grown from a couple of sticks with a leaf or 2 on them) bougainvillea, a rosemary plant and another creeper, whose name escapes me right now.
I have bees, insects and humming birds visiting me, And looking over my balcony onto the boats on the bay gives me a lot of joy.
Our balconies don't lend themselves to any sort of irrigation system unfortunately. The plants are well drained.
I would LOVE to have a garden where I could grow veggies, but that's not possible.
Our balconies don't lend themselves to any sort of irrigation system, unfortunately.
I used to knit, draw and paint, but given my shoulder problems and my back problems I can't do that anymore. I used to be very active, but nowadays I go to the pool to move so that the pain is not agonizing, merely on the verge of unbearable.
I am SO grateful to have a pool to go to. That's where I meet people, get a chance to talk to them, and even collect some "patients" who ask me for advice. It's fun!
Docs are dense. My internist at least listens, but she doesn't branch out as a result. There are so few that really are willing to go beyond med school.
I am dying to know your gyn's reaction to the Graucho Marks quote. If you manage to slip it in do report!
Gloria, your garden sounds wonderful! Although I could not manage it nowadays I can have my little balcony blooming, but I would LOVE to be able to look out on the view you describe.