Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

biologics and probiotics- is this dangerous??

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
madigascar
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 123
Posted 1/3/2012 3:41 PM (GMT -8)
Hi guys- so I'm trying to get a prescriptions for vsl #3 (probiotics) for my husband. And his GI said she doesn't want any of her patients that are on biologic meds taking vsl #3. Actually she doesn't want him on any probiotics while on Humira because his immune system is suppressed and with probiotics, she doesn't want to introduce too much bacteria into a immune suppressed system. Does that sound right?

Anyone on Humira/Remicade and probiotics?
profile picture
DaveF
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 1122
Posted 1/3/2012 3:48 PM (GMT -8)
This makes no sense to me. We introduce good flora to croud out the bad. You might want to read The Probiotic Revolution by Huffnagel. It is very insightful on this topic. Also lots of Crohnies react very badly to vsl#3, although for some it helps.
Dave
profile picture
madigascar
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 123
Posted 1/3/2012 6:40 PM (GMT -8)
Right that's why I'm confused...hmmm

Why do a lot of Crohnie's react badly to vsl#3..is it something special?
profile picture
wednesday77
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2007
Posts : 450
Posted 1/3/2012 7:00 PM (GMT -8)
Why would you need a prescription for probiotics? You can get them in the store - I take Humira and when I am not feeling well or in the rare and frightening instance when I have to take antibiotics I take twice the dose of probiotics. That combined with all the other things I do to try and keep myself healthy seems to work for me.

Good luck!
profile picture
madigascar
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 123
Posted 1/3/2012 7:19 PM (GMT -8)
You can get a prescription for Vsl #3 and get it covered under insurance.

Do you guys think eating kefir or yogurt everyday is as helpful as taking probiotics supplements?
profile picture
vixen
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 794
Posted 1/4/2012 2:33 AM (GMT -8)
Hi madigascar,

This was something that I looked into last year(at least I think it was last year-they are going too quickly for me :) )

DS was/is on Azathioprine(different drug group to Humira but also a drug that suppresses the immune system) I did a lot of online research and came across several reports that said that current advice was for patients with a suppressed immune system NOT to take pro-biotics(there had been deaths in people with a really suppressed immune system). However I was also aware that many Crohn's sufferers did take pro-biotics and have felt positives rather than negatives.

I spoke to people who produced the pro biotics that son was on and they advised for him not to continue on them.

I was still scratching my head on this one and spoke to a friend who is a consultant (in a different field) who, however, prescribes vast amounts of immune suppressants at a far greater strength (think transplant strengths!) Her opinion was that the strength prescribed to a crohn's patient was not that big and that there should be no problem and that the issue came when the immune system was severely compromised(like in transplants/chemo etc)

I don't know the strength of Humira with the immune system (although I am aware that it is considered one of the 'big guns') so I really don't know. There are many on it with no problems BUT your GI really should know all the pros and cons.

profile picture
Levi
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 1714
Posted 1/4/2012 4:24 AM (GMT -8)
Do a lot of people with CD react badly to VSL? I've been on it for two years now and I always thought it helped.
profile picture
DaveF
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 1122
Posted 1/4/2012 5:09 AM (GMT -8)
There have been studies that show that VSL can help folks with CD. I have read them, so for some it helps.

However, there are strains of bacteria in VSL that can over grow and cause issues. This has cuased flares in a bunch of people, again the studies are out there. On the diet I am on it is to be avoided for that reason. I make yogurt that I control which strains are included. It has about a trillion live cultures per cup and I take this twice daily. Each cup is about 4 times stronger than VSL and it is way cheaper.
Also, I would rather take my probiotics from home made organic milk, than more pills.
Dave
profile picture
chrisnsteph1022
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2003
Posts : 973
Posted 1/4/2012 6:21 AM (GMT -8)
I'm on Cimzia and Imuran and I take probiotics daily. My integrated doc recommended them.
profile picture
madigascar
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 123
Posted 1/4/2012 8:23 AM (GMT -8)
Wow thanks for all the feedback!

Vixen- that totally does make sense. I guess its a cautionary measure my hubby's GI is taking. I talked to my husband about it and we're going to think about it and see what feels right. For the time being I bought him some kefir.

I think if he takes any probiotics, it won't be vsl after what u guys told me. Any other probiotics recommendaton?
profile picture
Nanners
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 14999
Posted 1/4/2012 2:18 PM (GMT -8)
Most common probiotics used are Culterelle, and Align to name a few. I use Primadolphilus Fortify by Natures Way and have good luck with it. But...I am not on biologics either. You might ask Dave about the SCD yoghurt he makes, its got tons of natural probiotics in it. Good luck!
profile picture
stripey
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 1059
Posted 1/4/2012 2:29 PM (GMT -8)
I have tried probiotics a few times and different sorts from tablets to capsules to drinks and all of them gave me horrendous stomach cramps. I carried on taking them for three-four weeks each time before giving in as the cramps were getting worse not better and resigned myself that my body doesn't like healthy stuff anymore, junk food it is fine with but healthy and it kicks uo a fuss :)
profile picture
keepingfaith
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2011
Posts : 360
Posted 1/5/2012 9:55 AM (GMT -8)
I don't use that particular brand but I am on probiotics and Remicade. My GI actually was the one who told me to go to the store and buy a probiotic after I had my second infusion. You have to find the right kind though. Some probiotics make my stomach too crampy.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply


More On Crohns Disease

Taking Action Against Fatigue From Ulcerative Colitis And Crohn's

Taking Action Against Fatigue From Ulcerative Colitis And Crohn's

How I Refused To Let Chronic Illness Steal My Dreams

How I Refused To Let Chronic Illness Steal My Dreams


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2023 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.