Probiotics Help

I am on amoxicillin and clarithromycin (sp?) Biaxin for treatment of Lymes disease. I have been reading a lot about probiotics, but I was hoping someone can give me input on taking them. I was told to take florastor. I have to admit I am bad about taking it, but I heard different info like liquid probiotics and what not. I also eat live culture yogurt. Will this help? Is there some good probiotic source I could be taking right now or should I just stick with florastor?

[JackieCalifornia]

I also took Florastor.  It is a yeast-based probiotic (rather than bacteria-based like Lactobacillus probiotics, which are more common).

The reason some drs. prefer Florastor is that is has shown itself to be better at preventing C. difficile infections of the colon, which is a very serious condition resulting in severe diarrhea and is difficult to treat once established.  I would encourage you to take the Florastor as prescribed.

The only caution I will give is that if you have or develop a yeast infection (vaginal, oral, or otherwise), you need to report that to your dr right away, because taking Florastor (which is yeast) on top of a yeast infection (which is of course also yeast) can let the yeast infection get quite serious.  It seldom happens, and if you watch out for it and get it taken care of promptly, it should be okay.  I didn't realize it was happening to me, but should have noticed and complained sooner and louder about my midsection bloating and gassiness and pain.  

Partly it was my doing, because I accidentally was taking too much of the yeast-based probiotic:  Florastor is a brand name of Saccharomyces boulardii, which is also sold under its generic name -- so I didn't realize I was doubling up by taking them both, and I had a long term, low-level yeast infection already that I was ignoring which just got worse.  My situation was unusual.

A C. difficile infection is very serious and is something to avoid; probiotics are the way to do that when on long term abx treatment.

Don't be scared away from taking Florastor; just be watchful for any yeast infection you may develop and significant bloating, gassiness and pain in the mid section because it means the yeast is overgrowing.  Contact your doctor with any concerns.

I'm not a medical professional, just reporting on my personal reading and experiences.