PROBIONICS

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3392827
• September 20, 2012 at 8:33 pm
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Kristin if there is no instruction on the bottle to put in frig. that means it does not need to be in frig.
I have had some that had to be in frig. and it says so on bottle. I hope that helps hon.

Now as far as the stuff in your rectum it is mucus and not poop. That is what I was told the doctor told me to use supositories every now and then to clean it out. Sometimes if just comes out on its own. I am sure I got that right.

Plese take care of yourself
God bless you
Dolly

• By alan41241
• Reply 3393798
• September 21, 2012 at 8:08 am
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Kristin, probionics don't need to be refrigerated. I stored mine in a kitchen cabinet. As Dolly said, if the bottle doesn't instruct that it needs to be refrigerated then it doesn't. Which one are you on? I took Align.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Bluezz
• Reply 3393969
• September 21, 2012 at 9:13 am
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Kristen, I will assume you meant "probiotics". In my opinion...yes they should be stored in the fridge. The ones sold in drug stores/ food stores are a lesser grade than those purchased at natural food stores. There are also many more live "bugs" in a higher grade. If not refridgerated you will lose the effectiveness as they will die off....

• By Kristin66
• Reply 3394541
• September 21, 2012 at 12:07 pm
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Thank you all.
I did double check the label and these do not require refrig.
Have you seen any difference?

• By alan41241
• Reply 3394703
• September 21, 2012 at 12:57 pm
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Any difference in what, Kristin? I took Align before my surgery and they didn't seem to do a thing for me at the time. I still had gas and lots of it and still felt bloated all the time.
Blessings,
Alan

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3394716
• September 21, 2012 at 1:01 pm
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I take Florastor, and the bottle says not to fridgerate. It depends on what you're taking. When in doubt look up online for the insert if one wasn't provided. You can always call the manufacturer to find out.

• By slm10231931
• Reply 3396138
• September 21, 2012 at 11:35 pm
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I was taking align for a long time it was recommended by my GI doctor : it is more expensive than all
the others, after several years of align I experienced with others and found many of them to be just as good
I think the Doctors have an interest in align: (?) I find that eating yogurt takes the place of the tablets
but it is important to either take the probiotics or eating the yogurt. I buy the vanilla yogurt and add my own
fruit or what ever in it to cut down on the sugar content, I have never been able to make myself like the
really healthy yogurt: It is important to look closely at the yogurt the really good tasting ones with all the fruit
etc are loaded with sugar. Sugar causes me to have diarrhea, more than I already have. good luck and stick
with the probiotics,check around there many varieties to chose from and each have a different function.
Oh by the way Alan the probiotics keep my heartburn down and I don't have to take medicine for a hiatal hernia
does that help?
God Bless
Mary Lou

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3396175
• September 22, 2012 at 12:09 am
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Yogurt is great.. I eat Cabot's Greek yogurt.. vanilla and add blueberries to it. I always thought that probiotics did need to be kept cool as they will die if not.. like Blue said.. Hummm.. Learn something new everyday.

Talking about sugar... I have not found that regular sugar makes much of a difference.. but using any of the sugar substitues DOES increase output. My GI doc said it's even in cough drops.. so if you notice extra output.. take a look at what you had.. cough drop.. gum.. etc..

I'm pretty sure you are having mucous discharge from the rectum and stool, yes? I don't think imodium effects that.. What was the doctor's answer to your question?

• By DixieWest
• Reply 3396243
• September 22, 2012 at 1:25 am
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I used to take probiotics only after a regimen of antibiotics. The oral and I.V. antibiotics caused me to have so many yeast infections and c. diff that the doctors started prescribing it each time they prescribed antibiotics. I haven't been on antibiotics for over a year but still occasionally take probiotics (the type that need refrigeration) when I feel I need it. I also take Pau D' Arco (it really promotes intestinal health and seems to calm my bouts of diverticulosis), I also take a digestive enzyme right before each heavy meal because it is supposed to help "break down" the fats and such. I still have a really bad time digesting any fresh veggies or red meat. I am not promoting any of these items, I am just saying that they seem to help me. I am doing my best at this stage in my life to stay away from as many prescription meds as possible (my personal choice).

• By Wilma827
• Reply 3396469
• September 22, 2012 at 7:34 am
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I am glad that this subject came up as we learn from others on here and what works best for us! MaryLou I agree in that my doctors liked Align as I took that st one point before my 1st resection. They also had me take Florastor another pricy one. After my Ilestomy I haven't taken anything other than an occasional yogurt. This was actually one of my questions to him next week prior to my next surgery to take the rest of my colon. I always thought that probiotics mainly benefited the colon but I'm thinking now it also benefits the remaining GI tract. My son (age 9) has some GI issues and he eats yogurt occasionally as well as a kids chewable probiotic.. Not sure if it's beneficial or not. His diet is pretty much a normal 9 yr. old diet even though we try to push better eating habits, I.e. vege's/fruit. I will be asking my GI about what I should be doing going forward :)

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3396619
• September 22, 2012 at 9:08 am
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dolly - I have mucus output every morning and use a glycerin suppository to help it clear out. If I don't get rid of it every day I will feel lethargic and uncomfortable - which seems strange because it is such a small amount. At first I was concerned about it and asked the surgeon what it was and he assured me it was totally normal. The only thing I have added to my diet is a one-a-day vitamin/mineral pill - figured I was losing some of those with the ileostomy. Hugs from Marge

• By Weave
• Reply 3398762
• September 23, 2012 at 8:05 am
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I have used some that need frig and some that dont, I find the refrigerated ones the best, the stuff is mucus in your rectum, Mucus is made in the colon helps with solids moving through your intestines, dispell it by sitting on toilet, when they closed my rectum it went bye bye.

weave.

• By Linny62
• Reply 3427285
• October 3, 2012 at 9:44 am
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Probiotics helped me tremendously before my surgery but I never thought about it for an ileostomy. I have very watery discharge and immodium does not seem to help. I used VSL#3 which is extremly high with the good bacteria (this is what my GI Dr. recommended) but it is also expensive, but it worked so well I went on the internet and found it for less with free refrigerated shipping. This potent probiotic does need to be refrigerated but will still remain very effective if you need to take it where refrigeration is not available. I am on my way to ordering a new bottle.

• By hockeymom01
• Reply 3441774
• October 8, 2012 at 4:37 pm
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So is probiotics for constipation or diarrhea. I could never figure that out. I can't see how it could help both. but that's just me Hockeymom

• By alan41241
• Reply 3442088
• October 8, 2012 at 6:41 pm
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Probiotics is for neither.
Probiotics are good bacteria that confer a health benefit and are essential for many vital body functions, including healthy digestion.
I found this under probiotics on the Internet.
Blessings,
Alan