How long to take probiotics before you can tell they are working?

Depends on what one is expecting I guess.....I think one should notice some "change" in a few days.

I take my probiotics at night before bedtime on an empty stomach. about 2 hours after my meds.

q

Heather--thanks for the info.  I always wondered if it was better to take them on an empty stomach or with food.  I've heard conflicting statements on this.

I'd agree you should see some positive benefit within a week or two. However, folks with IBD often need higher (sometimes much higher) doses of probiotics than "normal" people who are taking them for health maintenance. If in doubt, it wouldn't hurt to contact the company and ask for dosage recommendations tailored to your specific situation and symptoms.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999. Have been in remission for years with only a few minor blips. Scope on 6/22 showed no inflammation at all.

I already responded to a different thread about my probiotic experience (basically positive).

I had a positive response within days with VSL#3. I had been taking a Lactobacillus acidophilus pill for 2 months prior and couldn't tell if it was doing anything (but it wasn't hurting) so I switched to VSL and glad I did. YMMV.

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Ulcerative colitis 10 years
Jan 2010 started SCD diet but modified by me (tried 5 years earlier no improvement)
Jan '10 first time in 10 years bleeding stopped, by Apr '10 90% improvement
Started reducing meds 6 weeks after colon improved with diet-all OK
Diet: Protein(meat/fish/eggs,no soy),nuts(soaked/roasted),no-starch veg(no potato),no grains bread
eliminated carbohydrates, no dairy except small amt. hard cheese, no fruit/juice (blueberries OK)
Daily: fish oil, Vit D3 1000 2Xday with oil/fat, veggie juice, sunflower seeds, probiotic VSL#3
Highly recommend: the book "Life without Bread" and the SCD Diet

I would recommend taking them regularly for a 3 weeks before really expecting to see full benefits. At least that's my experience.

i notice my probiotics working very quickly but helping is another story. florastor gave me explosive diarrhea the day i started it, but VSL gave me a lot of gas for a few weeks before dying down. my favorite probiotic is renew life because i didn't experience any crampy symptoms or laxative effect. i also take it on an empty stomach with juice. i've read that if you take it with food, the acids in your stomach are so high that the probiotics probably won't make it down to your colon.

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Joanna, 22
8 fecal transplants- got worse.
taking- probiotics, vit d, 4.5 LDN , l-carnitine, B6, vit a, iron infusions, aloe, zinc, peppermint
tried- canasa, pred, 6mp, remicade, rowasa, lialda, entocort, l-glut, vit E + VSL enema, NAG, prilosec, zofran, psyllium, bentyl, cipro, flagyl, welchol
no meat, dairy, eggs, gluten, beans. include-juices, fruits, veggies, greens, grains, soy, nuts/seeds

Once I finally found a probiotic that really had a noticible effect, I can tell in a week. Once in a while I will forget to put it in my weekly dispenser on Sunday. Usually by Wednesday I remember because I'm having more IBS problems - mushy stools, gas, etc.

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Ulcerative colitis diagnosed in 2001; symptoms as early as 1992. In remission since 2006 with Remicade.
Inflammatory osteoarthritis; osteonecrosis from steroids
Grave's disease successfully treated with radioactive iodine and now on Levothyroxine.
Type II diabetes induced by steroids.
Meds: Remicade, Colazal, Levothyroxine, Mobic, Metformin

Moderator, thyroid forum

bananagirl, which renewlife are you taking? Went online there are many with different strengths.

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Balsalazide 750MG 3- 3x daily
Mesalamine enema's-Half dose
Hydrocortisone enemas-trying to wean
Ideal Bowel Support 299v dairy-free, Gluten free Probiotic
Bio-identical compounded hormones
Vit D
Dicyclomine 20mg as needed
Clonazepam 0.5m
Humira started June 2012
56 year old Female,USA

faithmac, i order a different bottle every time because i've heard it's good to rotate between different strains... i'm also indecisive and like to try them all! the one i am currently taking is Critical Colon 80 Billion, but I REALLY like Super Critical 200 Billion. it only comes with a week's worth of sachets but it's worth it to try it if you are in a tough flare. i also order the Advanced Immunity 10 Billion which is Sacro B. Most of the bottles come with a 30 day supply so I take one bottle for 30 days then move onto another kind.

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Joanna, 22
8 fecal transplants- got worse.
taking- probiotics, vit d, 4.5 LDN , l-carnitine, B6, vit a, iron infusions, aloe, zinc, peppermint
tried- canasa, pred, 6mp, remicade, rowasa, lialda, entocort, l-glut, vit E + VSL enema, NAG, prilosec, zofran, psyllium, bentyl, cipro, flagyl, welchol
no meat, dairy, eggs, gluten, beans. include-juices, fruits, veggies, greens, grains, soy, nuts/seeds

Not a bad idea. Do you get gas from any of them?

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Balsalazide 750MG 3- 3x daily
Mesalamine enema's-Half dose
Hydrocortisone enemas-trying to wean
Ideal Bowel Support 299v dairy-free, Gluten free Probiotic
Bio-identical compounded hormones
Vit D
Dicyclomine 20mg as needed
Clonazepam 0.5m
Humira started June 2012
56 year old Female,USA

RenewLife is the only brand i don't get gas from. i get a little bloating from the 200 billion one, but nothing bad.

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Joanna, 22
8 fecal transplants- got worse.
taking- probiotics, vit d, 4.5 LDN , l-carnitine, B6, vit a, iron infusions, aloe, zinc, peppermint
tried- canasa, pred, 6mp, remicade, rowasa, lialda, entocort, l-glut, vit E + VSL enema, NAG, prilosec, zofran, psyllium, bentyl, cipro, flagyl, welchol
no meat, dairy, eggs, gluten, beans. include-juices, fruits, veggies, greens, grains, soy, nuts/seeds

I take Benebiotics on an empty stomach per the directions on the bottle.
The pills are enteric coated to survive stomach acid.
Check out their website for info regarding 18 strains and guarantee.
I take them with a few ounces of juice and a tsp of L-glutamine first thing in the morning.
Do not get gas from them.

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Female, USA
Diagnosed pancolitis 12/2003, Colazal generic (balsalazide).
Benebiotic probiotic, multi-vitamin with iron, Starwest organic slippery elm powder, L-Glutamine, fish oil, whey shakes and transdermal LDN. Avoid lactose and most gluten products.

Will check Benebiotic out! Just bought renewlife. Maybe it's a good idea to switch occasionally !

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Balsalazide 750MG 3- 3x daily
Mesalamine enema's-Half dose
Hydrocortisone enemas-trying to wean
Ideal Bowel Support 299v dairy-free, Gluten free Probiotic
Bio-identical compounded hormones
Vit D
Dicyclomine 20mg as needed
Clonazepam 0.5m
Humira started June 2012
56 year old Female,USA