[CruiseCAT]

I had no idea where to put this so I decided to come to my closest buddies here on 3FC.

Most of you here know that I have dealt with IBS-D/C type symptoms for longer than I care to admit. I thought having my gallbladder out would take care of many of my issues; it has not.

I've been hearing a great deal about Probiotics and with the little bit of research I have done it sounds like a miracle supplement.

Please help educate me so that I can make an informed decision. If you use Probiotics please tell me the brand and why. What about prebiotics?

[weightlosswanted]

hey cruise! I don't have much info on pro or prebiotics. I do know that keeping up my fiber really helps my digestive issues, and when I'm having major problems adding a daily yogurt seems to help. please pass on anything you find out so we can all be educated : )

[presmaggie]

Cruise - I found a probiotic that I really like. It's New Chapter brand and it's called Probiotic Colon. I also have problems with IBS issues, usually food related, and I found that it calms things down nicely.

weighlosswanted - I think that most yogurts have live probiotic cultures and I used to eat it daily for the same reason that you do. Unfortunately, yogurt and all dairy products give me IBS issues, so I have to take probiotics in capsule form.

Cruise, do you ever find that certain foods can trigger your episodes?

[ICUwishing]

CAT, I've been blessed with a cast-iron digestive system, so I can't personally attest to any one thing. I have read that the healthiest groups of people on the planet have some form of a fermented food as a near-daily part of their diets - think miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir ... and this is suspected to be a major component in gut health. I HAVE been a member of the Life Extension Foundation for many years, and I find their website, lef.org, to be a huge resource for me. If you go there and search on IBS, you will find lots of studies, and recommendations for supplements. Good luck!

[CruiseCAT]

Thanks for the link ICU, I'll go check it out.

Pres - It's funny for the life of me I cannot figure out what will cause a flare up of either the constipation or diarrhea. I have logged both my food and BM habits for almost a year and there isn't a pattern. I have decided in addition to taking a probiotic I am going to give up coffee.

WLW - I found this site to be the most helpful:

http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment...nd-prebiotics/

At this point I am going to try "Align", it has GREAT reviews from users at Drugstore.com:

http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...=29904&tab=1#1

I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

[KDHW]

Cruise keep us posted on how the Align is working for you.

[CruiseCAT]

I guess I should update this thread.....

At the same time I started the Align I also stopped drinking coffee and the results were terrific. After two weeks I stopped the Align and for the first couple weeks all went well until this last week my IBS-D symptoms came back. At this point I am going to start taking the Align again; especially seeing how I am getting ready to go on vacation and I expect my eating won't be great.

[losermom]

Ooh, CruiseCat--you are brave! I could never give up my coffee! I do hope you are able to sort this out. I tend to lean towards the constipated side myself, so I do take fiber pills and eat yogurt and prunes often.

[petra65]

I take a vitamin supplement that includes probiotics called Four Pillars. Its available at jonnybowden.com I also eat yogurt almost everyday-that's also your other option.