Align probiotic
#330924 - 06/11/08 06:05 AM
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vettech
Reged: 06/08/08
Posts: 328
Loc: ME
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I've seen several people on this board mention this probiotic by name. Is it really that much better than other probiotics? I've been trying several different brands, but haven't heard of this one before. They seemed to help me when I was relatively stable, but these last few months with my post antibiotic mess none have seemed to help. Thanks!
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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Very few probiotics have been shown to be helpful for IBS. You might find this previous message of interest. This review article on the use of probiotics to treat IBS may be of some interest too.
Good luck 
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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That's very useful info, thanks!
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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Syl
#330947 - 06/11/08 10:27 AM
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Hey Syl, how are you doing on the Life Start?
Jen 
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I have taken it for 2.5 months. At the end of this month's supply I am not reordering. I was on other probiotics for a total of about a year now and have had no benefits.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Re: Syl
#331011 - 06/12/08 08:13 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Doing fine. At this time of the year it is hard to know how much it is helping because I always do better in the late spring and summer. Come fall I should have a better idea.
And you?
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Re: Syl
#331017 - 06/12/08 08:48 AM
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It seems to be working ok. I've noticed a big decrease in gas & bloating. Much better than with the DA. I also haven't had any attacks out of the blue...but still the occasional "shaky tummy day" but that's always to be expected. The bottle says to start with 1 capsule a day then gradually increase to 5 a day if needed. I've been on 1 capsule daily for 3 weeks and may increase to 2 a day - I don't think 5 daily is necessary - not to mention too expensive. Let's keep each other posted.
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Re: Syl
#331019 - 06/12/08 09:27 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Good to hear it seems to be of benefit. The research suggests that one capsule per day should be plenty.
I use the powder version. It is substantially less expensive. A bottle of 60 capsules costs about $0.83 per capsule and a bottle of 90 capsules costs about $0.73 per capsule. A 2.5 oz bottle of powder has the equivalent of 70 capsules (1/2 teaspoon per capsule) for a cost of about $.50 per capsule and a 4.5 oz bottle has the equivalent of 127 capsules for a cost of about $0.44 per capsule.
Yea - lets keep each other informed of our progress. Good luck
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I changed from IBS support to Align to see if it was more helpful but after 11 days, I had to stop taking it. I know you are supposed to stay on it for a month but I had 4-6 bouts of D everyday, heaps of gas in the morning and found it difficult to continue work. I am better on IBS support which doesn't give me gas at all. Haven't had any D since I changed back but do still have more BM's than I would like. I have been to a new specialist who has been really helpful. He has put me on a low dose of 'Tofranil' (10mg imipramine hydrochloride)which I think is calming my bowel but it is too early to tell yet. He has also helped me with my early morning meetings by telling me to start with an Immodium dose of 4 tablets, this seems to stop everything much more quickly. He has patients who are on 16 Immodium/day and he says Immodium is not habit forming and it only stays in the body for a day.
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IBS D
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Well, based on the info here and reading the studies, I decided to give Align a try. I took my first dose yesterday, and already I'm not having very high hopes. I had a bm this morning and out came the capsule - whole. I know it was that because I hadn't taken any other capsules in the last few days.
Has anyone else had this happen?
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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it did take me along 3-4 weeks until align worked for me. I was unbelievably bloated and almost miserable, but am THRILLED with the results now. So, I highly recommend keeping going...
don't know about the capsule coming out, but i'd give it another go anyway.
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IBS-A
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Thanks, yes, I intend to continue to see what happens. I understand that it takes time to work, but to work it has to actually stay in there and be absorbed! 
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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What antibiotic caused your recent strife? My entire IBS situation began in March after I took a physician-prescribed Z-pack for a terrible case of head to toe flu. I got over the flu but never over the diarrhea component of it. I'm trying to load up on probiotics because I feel that the z-pack wiped out the good bugs. You?
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Yep, it was the Z-pack. I've taken it before, and it did give me D but I got over it shortly after taking the last dose. This time, not so much...if anything, I'm getting worse.
Why were you given antibiotics for flu (which is a virus)? Did you have a secondary bacterial infection?
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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Good question. I was running a fever so that means infection in there somewhere. The D had already begun with my illness before I started the Z-pack but I do think that didn't do anything to help the bacteria colony in the gut. How long does it take to get back to normal, whatever that is, after the Z-pack? As I mentioned, this happened to me in March. I'm ready to be over this stuff. I'm doing acacia and have just begun Align.
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Antibiotic trouble can manifest itself, even years down the road. So, if you had taken antibiotics as a child, it could be causing effects even now that you are older. They kill the good bacteria, allowing yeast to proliferate and grow. Over a period of time in warm, moist bodies, fungus/yeast can eventually cause unwanted symptoms. Sometimes simply using probiotics aren't enough to restore bowel flora, if yeast have had a chance to flourish in the bowels.
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Quote:
How long does it take to get back to normal, whatever that is, after the Z-pack?
I'll let you know when I find out - I've been messed up since Feb.
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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Well, after a rough first week on Align (the first dose didn't "stay", and I had really bad bloating and gas for the next several days), I can say with some confidence that it seems to be working. On my second week, I am definitely feeling better. No more D, and gas and cramping are reduced. I've been able to increase acacia to 1 tsp. twice daily and that seems to be going well, too.
I'm still sticking mostly w/ the BTC diet (although I had eggbeaters last night and that went well). I attempted grilled salmon Saturday night and had stomach pains all night (though no D). I guess I have to let things calm down more before going back to that.
All in all, I'm more encouraged than I've been in several weeks.
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IBS-A and GERD since 1983
Low FODMAP since 2012
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