Probiotic questiin

[Annj]

Hi. I'm about 9-1/2 months post negative diagnosis. I'm taking 2 Florastors, 1 Digestive Advantage and 1 Align every day. Does anyone take just 1 Florastore per day? Id like to cut it back to 1 because of the cost but I'm afraid to " rock the boat" since this seems to work. I thought I'd take the 2 per day until I reach the year mark just to be sure, but I was just hoping to get some feedback on what others have done. Thanks so much! Ann

[NanciT]

Anne

I think many of us cut back on the probiotics as we recover. My old GI actually told me to stop once I was CDIFF negative.....well then I found another GI! I was taking VSL3 twice a day and cut down to 1 after I tested negative. It is also known to help with IBS so I have continued to take it ( 1 1/2 yrs post CDIFF) but still have IBS. It is very individual but I am fine on just 1. I do add Kefir every once in awhile if my stomach bothers me.
You may not see a difference at all, I did not cutting back to one pill.
NanciT

[Annj]

Thanks Nanci. At least your GI talked to you. I haven't heard from mine since my last test!! My PCP's nurse told me to stay on the probiotics all the time. I really don't think most doctors realize the severity of this disease and the after effects we go through!!

[NikaNik]

Hi, Ann!

Glad to hear you are 9 1/2 months post c diff. I'm just over a year post c diff and during c diff I took 2 Florastor a day but a few months post c diff I went down one Florastor a day (I've skipped it here and there too - either forgetting or at times when I ran out). Didn't notice any difference going from 2 to 1 or even the times I forgot. Hope that helps. : )

Nikki

[Annj]

Hi Nikki-- Thanks. That does help. It's good to hear from someone who's been negative about the same amount of time. I thought I'd stay on the 2 until I'm a year or so out, then cut down to one. Every time I reorder the Florastor I look forward to not having to pay so much!! But I'll do anything to stay well!! Thanks again. Ann

[roy]

Theres plenty of other S.Boulardi apart from the Florestor brand!
Most of them are a LOT cheaper!
Also google kombucha tea.
Buy a culture and make your own drink that has live s.boulardi and many other probiotics for the cost of a tea bag.

[Ril]

Hi Ann,
My GI told to take the Florastor 2x/day for a few months then I could stop altogether and go on any good probiotic I chose. I take Align, suggested by a GI dr friend, which helps my IBS. I haven't seen any difference and it's been a few years.
Rita

[Annj]

Thanks Rita and Roy. It really does help to know what others have found that helps. The next time I order I'm going to look at the generic Florastor brands. I've seen them but I wasn't sure they were as good. Thanks for the tips! Ann

[Ashley20]

Hi Annj, im also 9 months out and taking only 1 florastor a day. I also drink keifer and i been doing great. I been doing the 1 florastor a day for about 3 months, during recovery i would take 2 florastor and 1 culturelle.

[justme]

Ann: You are lucky to be able to take probiotics post C.Diff. Even at 3 years out, they give me IBS and I've tried them all. I can't even take the Align or anything with dairy like Kefir and yogurt. This is just my opinion, but if you can take them - go for it. They aren't going to hurt you and they are adding good bacteria.
Aloha,
Anne

[zinnia1]

My gastro told me it was such an inexact science and I didn't need to take at this point in recovery ( i am same as you) I kind of take when I remember, or if I feel a little poorly. Absolutely everyone and every doc I have me has a different perspective on this!

[Bobbie]

Docs seldom agree on anything. Probiotics are a "maybe" thing anyway. They help some - don't do much for others. Most docs discourage their use after a FMT because they "fight" with the new good bacteria.

[georgina]

The only probiotic that did something for me was Saccharomyces boulardii , others were useless!

[Dukiemom]

My dr never mentioned Florastor and I had experienced multiple relapses before I found this site so the only probiotic I take is VSL3 1 x per day and drink kefir. After flagyl, vanco, vanco taper and Dificid I am now almost four months out from my last Dificid, Still taking the 1 VSL and drinking kefir each day. Its hard psychologically to willingly give up any regimen when you are having good results (just ask sports fans!) but by now you can probably reduce your probiotic intake slowly and it may be more of a change in your system than any relapse of the cdiff. Congrats on your recovery.

[Annj]

Thanks everyone. I think you're right about the psychological part of recovery. I don't know why, but I'm afraid to stop taking the 2 Florastor per day till I reach the one year mark! I also found out about Florastor myself. The doc never mentioned it. I've told others about it when they've had just regular diarrhea problems and it seems to help. I've become so paranoid about antobiotic use that I've told anyone I know taking them to be careful!! I guess we're all crusaders after going through what we have!! Thanks again, Ann