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[Niamh]

Hi ladies

Can anyone recommend a good probiotic to take? I'm peri and on hrt have been for nearly 18 months but recently getting lots of gas cramping bloating and I'd like to try a probiotic. Ive read hrt can upset your digestive bacteria a bit so worth a go. My diet is good and so I don't think it's anything there. Thanks oh I have a bio-kult one but I'm interested to hear what others find good how quickly it helped etc thanks x

[CLKD]

When I was diagnosed with IBS in 1999, my GP gave me medication to help my gut spasm work.  I had to swallow it within an hour of eating my main meals.  After several years I tried Actimel which really eased my bowels, resulting in not feeling bloated and sick.  My Mum drinks several pots of Yakult daily.  Some find that Buscopan helps the wind pains, we used to give that to our dogs when they had 'wind' 

[nearly50]

Hi Niamh

I use these

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-ultra-maximum-acidophilus-capsules-60031614

I've had digestive problems on and off for the past year or so, things not as bad since I've taken these capsules but to be honest I don't know whether that is down to a change in where I am in peri. I have given up trying to work out triggers as what is fine one day is not fine the next.

[CLKD]

Can you explain when you take these?  When I require Actimel I drink several pots during the day and take my evening meds with them.  Eases the slow transit 

[nearly50]

CLKD, I just take one a day with my main meal. They have to be kept in the fridge (which is in very small font on the bottle!) I don't think it would be possible to drink the equivalent amount of Actimel to one of them

[Annie0710]

Years ago I developed IBS after my hysterectomy and dr said drink mint tea.  Really did help

During meno I was recommended one from Holland and Barrett.  I can't remember the name but I went in and asked for what they recommended

[Tempest]

Believe it or not, but peppermint tea is also mildly estrogenic! Who knew?!!

[Ju Ju]

You can buy peppermint tea with probiotics called Daily cultures. The hot water activates the probiotics rather than killing them. Tastes great, but to be honest, didn't make any difference to me, but then probiotics never have. I'm going to look into kefir as recommended on Trust me, I'm a doctor.

[Menomale]

Hi Niahm,

I can't recommend you any specific probiotic because I'm not in the UK... but make sure you have the ones that contain one of the best bacteria for restoring the gut flora such as L. rhamnosus GG, S. boulardii, B. lactis and S. thermophilus. You should be able to read these names on the bottle or package insert.

Tempest, I didn't know that! I could never drink peppermint tea, it gives me nausea. I also can't use any toothpaste with peppermint, nausea... Actually there is only one brand I can use that contains sodium bicarbonate, but no peppermint and no sweetener (all the others have one or both).

Ju Ju, kefir is great!

[Maryjane]

Keifer milk is the best thing to take , as "
Trust me I'm a doctor" the other day .


But the best of the probiotics is " Symprove" UCL hospital has done tests on it. However very expensive.

[CLKD]

I have 'trust me' to watch on catch-up 

[wombat62]

Hi I take a daily one after my gallbladder op, find it does help with everything. However, get the ones that are in the fridge as these are much better.

You could also look at eating pre-biotic foods as these help to create your own good gut bacteria.

There is a lot of research around good gut bacteria and weight gain/loss at the moment together with how it also has an affect on overall health.

You could also try having Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) but have it in some juice as it's foul on it's own. I have mine in Beetroot juice as that helps to keep blood pressure down and have it before my meal in the evening.

[nearly50]

I've got apple cider vinegar but have not been brave enough to drink it yet!

[CLKD]

Mum mixes apple-cider vinegar in warm water. 

[Lanie66]

Hi Niamh.  I've had IBS for years and suffered bloating and cramping particularly towards the evening.  At times I looked like I was 8 months pregnant! It was very uncomfortable.  I can empathise.  I took probiotics and probiotics but none I bought worked.  I started taking Multibionta multivitamins which have a built in probiotic.  They helped the bloating a little but are generally good for bowel habit.  I now take the 50+ version.  The one thing that has banished the bloating is intermittent fasting.  I do the 16:8 version, eat 8 hours in the day and fast 16.  For me this means my first meal is at 11.30 am and  I don't eat past 19.30.  It didn't take long to get used to.  I originally started doing it to lose weight and discovered I wasnt bloating anymore so have kept it up, mostly.  Can't recommend it highly enough for digestive relief x