Is it wokring or is it just all in my head??

Question

someone recommended me to try using acidophilus for my ibs and lactose intolerant problems . so i went to the drug store and got some....it been 3 days and my gas in my stomach feels better right after i take it and then it get back gasy , but all in all its not as bad as how it was before but the problems still there..my other friend told me that acidphilus dont help and that it all in my mind and shes in med school but i think if i keep taking it , it will make my stomach get better because acidophilus helps restore my digest tract and make it healthier LOl at least that's what it says on the bottle....HELP!!

Answer 1

No its not all in your head. You are trying to physically change the balance in your GI tract.

Acidophilus is one of the good bacteria that aids digestion. Taking tablets will help a little but really you need to sort your diet out and starve out the unhelpful bacteria.

A diet rich in fructa-oliga-sacharides will help.

These are abundant in vegetables like chicory and onions.

Are you eating loads of Junk?

Cut down on that and try a less refinded diet rich in fruit and veg.

You can do all kinds of things to try and help re-balance the intestinal flora but what is ofter overlooked is diet. People do colonics which flushes all the c**p out (literally) and go back to a rubbish diet so the bad bacteria repopulates.

Answer 2

My husband's MD recommended probiotics for the side-effects of some antibiotics he was on.  They helped with that, so I'm thinking they might help with the symptoms of IBS as well.  

Answer 3

It probably helps a little for other things (as you actually notice - it's not in your head), but it won't cure your IBS nor helps for long as IBS has nothing to do with intestinal flora..

For IBS you could try this which has proved very efficient with my patients and my colleagues' patients:

- Turmeric (yes, the one you use for cooking) – 1 teaspoonful in a glass of water 4-5 times a day for one week to coat the intestinal wall and calm the inflammation which gives the pain.

- Then take "Slippery Elm" in Mother Tincture (liquid) (latin name = Ulmus Fulva or Ulmus rubra - don't take Ulmus Campestris as it has completely different properties) . I would take 30 drops in a little water 3 times a day for one month. This is to heal the walls of the intestine after the inflammation has been reduced by the Turmeric.

Slippery Elm gets more and more difficult to find, but it is really efficient to stop gastric and intestinal inflammation. Can be ordered on Internet if you don't find it at your nearest drug store or the place which sells homeopathic remedies where you live.

On the emotional side: start thinking about yourself. People who try to please everyone else and forget themselves are often those who develop this condition. You are the most important person in your life. Start thinking about yourself first as no-one else will (because they all put themselves first!)

Wishing you all the best and complete recovery from a very unpleasant condition!

Lisa J

Answer 4

I take acidophilus and other probiotics for IBS and it works wonders. It was recommended to me by not only a nutritionist, but a chinese herbalist. You should look up information on the net on the effects of probiotics (what acidophilus is) and IBS, don't just take your friend's opinion as fact. Most natural products are ignored by conventional doctors... but acidophilus is one of those things that even conventional doctors recommend. Really, to prove it, do a google search on it.. that's the best way to see what professionals and users are saying.

I disagree with Lisa J, because not only does it help IBS, it helps it long term. Take it from someone who had it. IBS can be caused by stress, an imbalance of intestinal bacteria, candida, etc. Acidophilus is good for restoring this balance, which can be key to IBS treatment. In fact, 'Digestive Advantage' IBS formula is just a probiotic. So even pharmaceuticals know what helps.

Regardless of all this advice, if it works, does it matter if its in your head or not? ;)