Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: honeybun on June 03, 2014, 09:14:10 PM
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After doing a bit of research and even more reading I have come across a supplement that is new to me but gets some good reviews.
It's said to promote good bowel health and is generally good for the immune system.
It's a supplement that contains high levels of Saccharomyces Boulardii. It is yeast based and says it's resistant to stomach acid and is very good at restoring the correct balance of good bacteria in the gut. It's a probiotic as opposed to a prebiotic.
I took my first one this morning and if anyone is interested I will report back with how it goes and if I find any difference.
I also have mild diverticulitis so I am really looking for a miracle cure ::)
Honeyb
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Let us know! So long as your body doesn't react to the yeast !
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Interesting Honeyb! I have had a search online and looks hopeful
"Irritable bowel syndrome
Recent evidence suggests a role of the microflora in IBS pathogenesis [Parkes et al. 2008]. A meta-analysis of 20 RCTs including 1404 subjects found a pooled RR for improvement in global IBS symptoms in 14 probiotic treatment arms (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.94) [McFarland and Dublin, 2008]. In a double-blind trial of S. boulardii versus placebo in the treatment of IBS patients, the probiotic agent significantly improved the quality of life, but did not improve intestinal symptoms [Choi et al. 2011]. These findings are inconsistent with those reported in double-blind, RCTs performed earlier in France [Bennani, 1990; Maupas et al. 1983]. Along these lines, a recent retrospective analysis suggested that addition of S. boulardii to mebeverine can provide superior results in IBS treatment and that the probiotic agent does exert beneficial effects on the quality of life and IBS symptoms [Guslandi, 2011]. More trials using S. boulardii for IBS are required to allow solid conclusions for its use in this condition"
Taz x
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No reaction to the yeast CLKD.
I am hopeful that these will help although it's far to soon to tell yet.
Watch this space.
Honeyb
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Am watching, HB! Thank you for being a guinea pig! Ju Ju xx
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HBun, I was put on the low FODmap diet for IBS after my colonoscopy. It's annoying, restrictive but does help quite a lot.
I also was told (I have the 'blocked' kind of IBS) to take ground linseed daily. Also helps.
I cut out all wheat (not gluten, although am mostly gluten free).
The consultant told me fructose causes a lot of problems, especially that found in apples.
When things are bad, as at present post antibiotics, I use probiotics and the ultimate one, although it's extremely expensive (you're not supposed to take it long term though, just a month) is VSL 3.
You can get it a bit cheaper from online pharmacies, but it has to be cooled including the courier delivery (don't think the cheapest amazon sellers deliver in cool sacks).
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I wonder if these Trials were done on people with 'active' IBS ………. i.e. IBS that was giving constant non-relievable symptoms ………. anything that eases symptoms has to be good fortunately my GP gave me prescribed medication then years later I tried and found that Actimel helps (there are others available ;-))
Too much yeast can encourage candida ………..
Thanks Oldsheep!
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This is also used to treat Candida CLKD.
Second day in. Taking one pill in the morning and another at night. By this time I am usually well on the way to being very bloated but nothing this evening yet. I will be able to tell properly when I put on my PJs as they are always tight when I go to bed.
Honeyb
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:thankyou: do you mind being our MM Guinea pig ;) ……….
Taz sent me a Link - really interesting ……..
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Nope, I bought it for me but I know that quite a few of us have IBS problems so if this helps me then there is a fair chance it will help others.
I will keep on posting.
Honeyb
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Honeybun
my IBS is more burning stomach and nausea, PPI never worked and I tried Centaurium but they never helped, consultant at hospital told me its IBS and looking up on it nausea and indigestion can be a symptom but the meds never worked, tried diets ie FodMap diet, I dont eat bread only drink lactose free milk and cheese, stopped Amitriptlyine a week ago as I was taking it for headaches , saw this http://www.elixirhealth.co.uk/natural-health-news-1.asp which spoke highly of Solgar Probi 20 and 30 billion so I thought I will try it, I have only just ordered it so when I get it I will post the start date and we can compare notes :)
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Sounds good and great to compare notes.
To be honest it does not sound like classic IBS to me. Have you had an endoscopy to check things out. Long before I had IBS I had the symptoms that you describe. I had an endoscopy and a barium swallow and was diagnosed with nervous dyspepsia. They also did a biopsy looking for H pilori (sp) and that checks for an ulcer. They can do a breath test for that now. The one thing they gave me that kills excess acid is Metroclopromide. It's what you take before an operation to get rid of excess acid, they also give it to combat sickness if you are given morphine. You really need to have a good discussion with your GP as there could be a very simple reason for your acid, it's just a case of finding it..
Honeyb
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I had a endoscopy in Feb 2013 and all it showed is a inflamed stomach, and that was that, I never saw anyone till this year , I had been on Omperazole since Dec 2012 then the consultant put me on Esomperazole over 3 months ago when she said it was IBS but stopped them as I never felt better, I have bowel issues, I can go up to 5 times a day ranging from loose normal to pellet like stools, my stomach feels distended, burning gnawing pain especially in between my breast bone , and the nausea god it horrible sometimes, don't want to go to GP as I feel like they think I am a bit like a hypochondriac, started Centaurium again today to see if it may help , I have started Vitamin B complex yesterday and thats all I take, not sure what else to try .
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Hello ladies.
I'm another one with bowel issues and was diagnosed with IBS and Ulcerative Colitis four years ago. I am taking anti inflammatory meds for UC and they seem to be working well however on waking I need to use the loo and the stools range from pebbles to long and thin or normal size but very soft. I was wondering if the HRT I'm using is causing these changes as before I started the patches my stools were normal and I do know that hormones affect gut motility, either speeding things up or slowing them down.
I am also trying something new for IBS. I read that including resistant starch in the diet is helpful as it feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut so for the last seventeen days I have been eating a small amount of raw potato daily and I've noticed that my digestive system is much calmer and this morning's poo was much better. There is a lot of information online for anyone who is interested and wants to know more about foods that provide resistant starch.
There is a lot of scientific research at the moment looking at how the bacteria in our digestive system impacts health and disease and new treatments will be developed as a result, in the meantime I am all for trying anything that may help. I will let you know how I get on with munching raw potato every day (fortunately I like the taste).
Take care everyone.
K.
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Kathleen, I used to pinch a chip when my mum used to cut them up for tea but that was around 40 yrs ago, may be its worth trying it , how much raw spuds do you eat, I will try anything if it means not going on PPI, I buy potatoes in the sack so I always have loads of them, I am still not convinced it is IBS but looking on the internet this burning pain and nausea can be a symptom of it !!
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Honeybun the Solgar probi 20 billion came this morning, so I have taken one and we can compare notes, hopefully touch wood we both get some success from them ;D ;D
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Hello moonbeam.
At the moment I am eating half a small jersey new potato with my evening meal. When I began doing this about two weeks ago I just sliced a little off of any old potato and gradually built up the amount I ate. It is important not to eat any raw potato that is green as that makes it toxic (the plant is a member of the deadly nightshade family after all).
My advice is to begin by eating small amounts with meals and gradually increase. It is possible to buy liquid potato starch from online sellers but atm I'm sticking to chewing the vegetable!
I noticed after about a week that my stomach no longer gurgled and rumbled and felt calmer generally and today my poos were much closer to normal.
I think it's great that we are all willing to experiment with new treatments and pass on our experiences and I will certainly report back as time goes on.
Wishing you well and take care.
K.
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Kathleen, the site is a godsend, does it have to be a new spud or can it be any type of potato :)
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Hello moonbeam.
As far as I'm aware, any type of potato will do, as long as it is fresh and not green, the variety doesn't matter. What we are after is the type of carbohydrate known as starch which can't be digested by the stomach (hence the term, resistant starch) and travels unaltered to the guts where bacteria feast upon it and produce something called Butyrate. It is this chemical which is beneficial to the guts. Other vegetables contain resistant starch but I think raw potato provides the most concentrated amount.
I heard about this from an Ulcerative Colitis forum that I read but there is plenty on line if you want to know more.
Good luck and let us now how you get on.
Take care.
K.
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I've just eaten a bowl of cooked rice, garlic, ginger, cumin and tomatoes to try and stop me feeling queasy otherwise I'm in for a long slippery slope :'( - but my bowel feels like it needs to empty properly …….. :-\
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Very very interested in this thread......Three years ago I had surgery for a twisted stomach, I had been really ill, constant sickness etc etc....Now I keep feeling nauseous again and also a lot of cramping pains around tummy button....bowels are a problem, I have to take fibre gel every night, or I get very constipated....I am on a lot of pain med for cronic back problems.
Well now the specialist is saying I might have IBS or diviculitus.....I did have bowel tests a couple of years ago that showed divicular disease, but now it's the sickness and tummy pain that's making me feel so ill......
Hence I am very interested in what you ladies have to say.......
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if anyone wants to try it, this is the link for the low FODmap diet (and explanation) that the consultant gave me. I vary it slightly. It is very restrictive when it comes to fruit though.
http://www.aboutibs.org/site/treatment/low-fodmap-diet/
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When I feel sick it's around my belly button :-\ .......... I can't burp either ::) ........
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Well it's still early days but I am seeing a bit of a difference.
This lot may be TMI so look away now. Less bowel wind, stools firmer and was at the loo twice this morning rather than my four to five times. Less bloated. Usually very glad to take my jeans off after dinner and get on my joggy bottoms but tonight there is no bloating at all.
Could be just coincidence as I have good and bad days any way so I guess time will tell.
Honeyb
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I don't think it's co-incidence. When I began Motilllium and Colpermin capsules I noticed the difference within 3 days, it took about 4 weeks to settle completely ......... if it works, dont knock it!
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Honeyb, can you keep a diary of symptoms/foods/mood etc to try to see any correlation between what works for you and doesn't?
After I cut out wheat, massive improvement. Now I know if anything's got wheat in it (eg soy sauce sometimes has) as I blow up like a balloon and it hurts. I think avoidance of certain irritants makes you even more susceptible to them. Or me, anyway.
Hope the billions of good bacteria keep helping you.
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Mine is anything with soya in it. Soya is in so many things that it's difficult to avoid. It's a known allergen nowadays which has made it easier than in the past though.
Hope it keeps working for you Honeybun!
Taz x
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Can I ask....do any of you get pain in bladder / back passage area?
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A few times I've had sharp spasms in the sphincter muscle. Awful. I hit the buscopan. It eventually went away after a day.
Your bladder isn't a million miles from the whatever colon on the lhs (note my mastery of biology ;D).
Hope your pain eases.
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I used to get terrible pains up my bottom. It was like a spasm and oh so painful. I don't know where I read it but the advice was to sit on a tennis ball. Placed carefully in the right place. Have not got a clue why but it works. Not got a handy tennis ball, sitting on your heel will do.
Oldsheep.
I have been watching my diet and what it does to my digestion for years.
I rarely eat bread...I get bloating.
I don't eat peppers, sweet corn or tomatoes. Well I grow them so a few in the summer. Spicy foods....My stomach has to be good before I attempt that and even then only mild stuff.
I never eat biscuits or cakes.
Sounds so boring.
I do eat loads of chicken and fish, the occasional steak or lamb chop. Lots of rice dishes and pasta.
I do like a bit of chocolate too.
Pill update.... Toilet habit this morning went really well. Had a few windy pains today...probably too many salads. I feel lighter in the tummy region and the bloated stomach is definitely reduced. I did not have to take my herbal drops today before I could leave the house. Might be working, not sure yet but early signs are hopeful.
Honeyb
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That is SO good!
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anyone tried Symprove? I am trying it. seems to be helping at the mo!
Nigela
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I have read good reports about it but have not tried it. What are you using it for.?
I am doing ok on my new pill. Bowels definitely improved but I am going through a rubbish stomach phase. It happens every few months and it probably triggered by what I have eaten so I am having to take pills for that. Difficult to know what's helping what at the moment.
I get very fed up with my stomach at times :-\
Honeyb
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You ate something 'wrong' last week ::) so it may take a day or two to settle again.
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CLKD where do you buy Symprove?
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We have it in our local Tesco if that helps ellie.
Taz x
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Hello ladies.
I used Symprove for about nine months and during that time my bowels were fine. Unfortunately I have Ulcerative Colitis as well as IBS and when I had a flare a few months ago I stopped taking it and just stuck with the meds I had been prescribed.
The UC forum I read has lots of people trying different prebiotics and probiotics and there is a lot of research at the moment into the benefits of healthy gut bacteria so I think anything like this is worth a try.
I haven't gone back to the Symprove as I am now trying to help my gut by eating some raw potato everyday, which is something I picked up from reading the posts of other UC sufferers on an American site called healingwell.com.
Hope this is helpful. Take care.
K.
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I am not too sure what is wrong with my bowels at the moment...I had ' The Cameras ' done over two my years ago and now the specialist want to do some more tests....I am having a Sigmoidoscopy next week....They found divicular disease during the last tests, but now I have a lot of pain, so hence more tests....
Be glad when they have me sorted out >:(
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My GP suspects that I have divicular issues due to lower left side pain. It's not hugely painful and I don't have it all the time but is inclined to flare on occasions. I take paracetamol and use a hot water bottle which helps. I have not had any tests primarily because there is nothing much they can do to help. I asked my GP what they would do if they found divicular pouches and he said there was nothing to be done. Most of the population over 60 have the pouches, it just depends on whether they cause any problems or not.
Fibogel helps me although I'm never constipated. It's one of the reasons I started my new supplement as it has anti inflammatory properties which should help both IBS and diverticulitis.
Honeyb
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:-\ I don't Ellie