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Prednisolone, antibiotics and probiotics ?

Posted , 8 users are following.

jan21306
jan21306

I have PMR, am at present on 71/2 mg pred.   I have severe gastritis and H. Pylori so soon have to start treatment with 4 antibiotics in the space of 10 days.  I am on a mild probiotic at the moment, but really need to go on a strong one such as VSL#3.  I have read that being on an immunosuppressant drug it might not be good to take probiotics.  

Can anyone throw some light on this for me please before I pay a large amount for a really good probiotic.  My stomach is not in a good way, so I really do need it, if at all possible.

Many thanks!

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • iellen32
    iellen32 jan21306

    Posted

    You need an specific answer and the way to get it is to ask EileenH who has the knowledge to give you the clear specific explanation you need.

    Hope you wil get well soon😊

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz jan21306

    Posted

    Jan, I would ask the gastro who who diagnosed your disorder about the probiotic; the antibiotics for h- pylori will probably wipe out the probiotics you take. After antibiotic treatment I was given something called a prebiotic fot about a month. That helped the resultant diarrhea.

    i don't know whether probiotics are a problem on lower pred doses. 

    The science itself is not settled on probiotics; which ones to take, how long to take them. the benefits. There are so many different bacterial strains, the gut is very long and how much influence from a probiotic capsule is there.

    Foods would seem like a safer bet.

    i had H-pylori many years ago- it was very painful. My father died of stomach cancer ans the science seems to indicate that h-pylori infection is a precursor to ulcers and gastric cancer. I did a paper on HP while in graduate school. 

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga jan21306

    Posted

    Had you thought of simply increasing your intake of various fermented foods?  If we read the literature it looks like even yoghurt can be bad for us!  But what about adding some variety to the probiotics you ingest, including a small helping of sauerkraut one day, a glass of kefir another, a piece of brie another?  Consultation with a pharmacist concerning taking probiotics with prednisone could be helpful.
    • jan21306
      jan21306 Anhaga

      Posted

      Yes, I have sauerkraut, but cannot take kefir or brie.   I have probiotic yoghourt every day, but with antibiotics you need a huge amount of probiotics to be any help.     I shall speak to a pharmacist, but I think, as well,  it would be good to have the experience of someone who has been through it, also of Eileen, who always has such good and knowledgable advice.  

      I

       

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga jan21306

      Posted

      How long will you be on the antibiotics?  Won't you be able to restore your gut health afterwards?  I know each batch of antibiotic will do in each batch of probiotic, that's just the nature of the beast(ies) I would imagine.  I'm just speculating, I know I'm far from the expert you want, but I do find this subject fascinating.  Hope you feel better soon.
    • jan21306
      jan21306 Anhaga

      Posted

      The gastroenterologist wants to give me two antibiotics plus the PPI for 5 days followed immediately by two different antibiotics plus the PPI and bismuth for 5 more days.  Thats a lot of antibiotics.  When I had H. pylori 13 years ago i had to take two A/Bs for a week, that didnt work so I took two different ones about six weeks later for 10 days.  That did eradicate it, but I was very ill and lost over two stone in weight.  I have already lost a stone this time.   There is a certain probiotic, i am not sure I can name it here, which is very good for taking in these circumstances apparently.   Thank you for your concern.  It is always good to talk about these things.
    • jan21306
      jan21306 Anhaga

      Posted

      I have spoken to my pharmacist and he says he  'doesnt have a problem with me taking probiotics with the pred' .   He seemed to be more worried about me taking them with the antibiotics !    I was quite surprised and did query it a second time.   That should satisfy me, but I am still a little concerned about it.  
  • marygabel
    marygabel jan21306

    Posted

    I'm sorry to hear you're having these problems, Jan. I don't have an answer but want to follow your thread.

    I have PMR and am on 7 1/2 mg pred as well. I have bad reflux but was told )two years ago when I was tested) that I don't have H Pylori. 

    I have been taking a specific probiotic since September. This one has enzymes that break down yeast, as I undertand it. I'm taking this one because I know being on pred can lead to an overgrowth of yeast. I also take a cleanse product so I eliminate the toxins caused by the yeast dyoff. (The toxins from the dyoff can make you very sick.)

    I saw my GP last week and he thought all my supplements were OK, including these.

    I see a new rheumatologist tomorrow so will see what she thinks.

    I'd really like to see what EllenH says about this.

    Thanks for posting and good luck!

    • jan21306
      jan21306 marygabel

      Posted

      I didnt know that pred can lead to an overgrowth of yeast.  I would be interested to know which probiotic you are taking and also the cleanse product.  But I am not sure we are allowed to name products.   Would it be possible for you to message me their names ?   My gastroenterologist thinks that I have H. pylori again because the pred has caused the right cconditions for it in my stomach.   

      I hope that your acid reflux has been resolved, do you take a PPI for it ?

    • EileenH
      EileenH jan21306

      Posted

      You can usually name a product in passing in the context of a post but not if it then appears you are trying to advertise it, no website names for example. 

      I often talk about specific things in that way and the posts are passed even if they are taken for moderation first. Any post with a link will be stopped automatically and then it is up to the moderator when he sees it. Or you can contact him to ask permission.

       

    • jan21306
      jan21306 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen, thats useful to know.

        Do you have any thoughts on the taking of probiotics with antibiotics and pred ?  I had read that it is not recommended and was surprised when my pharmacist said that he doesnt have a problem with it.

    • EileenH
      EileenH jan21306

      Posted

      See my post further down - I just did the easier response first wink
    • marygabel
      marygabel jan21306

      Posted

      My acid reflux has not been resolved. I take a H2 blocker but I will be talking with the doctor more about it on Thursday. 

      I will message you with information about the products I take. I take them, even though it hasn't resoved the reflux, on the theory that it's important to keep the yeast down while I'm on pred.

    • jan21306
      jan21306 marygabel

      Posted

      Thank you very much for the info.  Yes, I am in the UK.  I have looked at the ingredients and will see if I can find the equivalent or something close over here.   At the moment I take a PPI in the morning and the H2 blocker in the evening.  Even with these meds I still get acid problems !
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