Can Culturelle cause bloating when it is first started?

[RedSox722]

First, a little background: my gastroenterologist diagnosed me with IBS when I was about 16-17 (I'm 21 now), although he didn't do any particular tests. I used to have stomach aches, gas, bloating, and almost exclusively constipation. Every once in a while, I do get diarrhea, but that's pretty rare.

Now, I don't usually get that many stomach aches, but I still have the bloating and sometimes gas (depending on what I eat). I'm a very healthy eater, so when I started bloating about three weeks ago, I assumed it was just PMS -- I was due for my period two weeks from then. Well, I had my period last week, but my bloating didn't really subside, so I finally tried Culturelle: Digestive Health after my doctor recommended it to me about a year ago.

Has anyone ever taken this? If so, did it cause bloating and more gas, and sort of like gas bubbles in your stomach? That's been my reaction so far, but I just tarted it yesterday. I'm just wondering how long this may last?

I'm just getting so frustrated because I feel like I'm almost always bloated and I can't seem to lose weight despite the fact that I eat very healthy foods (and correct portions) in addition to working out on the stationary bike 6-7 times per week for at least 35 min per session. It's not that I really need to lose a whole lot of weight to begin with, maybe just a couple pounds, but again... this could just be the bloating, not actual weight gain.

Also, has anyone else felt fatigued/tired with IBS? This is certainly a frustrating condition...

[patient915]

Welcome to the IBS community!  If you have overwhelming fatigue not relieved by rest, it is unlikely to be IBS causing it.  Culturelle can rarely cause bloating in people.

[davecg44]

Yes IBS will fatigue you. No Culturelle will not cause bloating that is just the same as it always is and your mind is causing you to believe it is from the probiotic. Culturelle is very helpful and you should take it with dinner every day.

[RedSox722]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I also have hyperthyroidism. I was diagnosed with that when I was about 16 as well, and I just started taking 2 pills per day about a week and a half ago. I was previously on one pill per day, but my levels went up since August (I had a chest CT scan with contrast, so I'm assuming that's why). I do plan on getting the radioactive iodine treatment in about six months though, when the contrast from the CT scan is fully out of my system.