# Let's talk about probiotics and other OTC drugs that help with stomach issues **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 17, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722 "2010-05-17T04:04:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/21 "2010-05-18T23:36:41Z")
While questing for the exact mixture of various probiotics, reduced and zero-lactose products, and various high and low fiber supplements in all their myriad manifestations, please remember to consider checking in with your doctor to rule out conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s), pancreatic insufficiency, peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, esophageal varices, diverticulosis, intestinal strictures, and a number of other entities, all of which have the potential to be deadly and none of which will be adequately treated by the interventions described in the rest of this thread. Also keep in mind that the most effective treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, aka IBS ( **NOT** to be confused with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD) tend to combine such modalities as pushing fluids, judiciously using bulking agents, getting exercise, using biofeedback and/or relaxation techniques, avoiding fermentable saccharides, avoiding nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, judiciously using anti-depressants, avoiding opiates, sedatives, and stimulant laxatives, and a few other things that are more symptom-directed. Just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/22 "2010-05-19T00:02:13Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > While questing for the exact mixture of various probiotics, reduced and zero-lactose products, and various high and low fiber supplements in all their myriad manifestations, please remember to consider checking in with your doctor to rule out conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s), pancreatic insufficiency, peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, esophageal varices, diverticulosis, intestinal strictures, and a number of other entities, all of which have the potential to be deadly and none of which will be adequately treated by the interventions described in the rest of this thread. > > Also keep in mind that the most effective treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, aka IBS ( **NOT** to be confused with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD) tend to combine such modalities as pushing fluids, judiciously using bulking agents, getting exercise, using biofeedback and/or relaxation techniques, avoiding fermentable saccharides, avoiding nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, judiciously using anti-depressants, avoiding opiates, sedatives, and stimulant laxatives, and a few other things that are more symptom-directed. > > Just saying… What about those of us who prefer to diagnose our conditions via the internet and use nutritional supplements that aren’t regulated by the FDA? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/23 "2010-05-19T00:25:32Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > What about those of us who prefer to diagnose our conditions via the internet and use nutritional supplements that aren’t regulated by the FDA? People like you don’t need a doctor to tell you to knock yerselves out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/24 "2010-05-19T00:54:24Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > That’s surprising that her GI didn’t suggested Activia or Align - those were some of the first words out of my relative’s mouth. Activia isn’t an option for me, since 1) I don’t really care for yogurt and 2) I’m pretty lactose intolerant. I was looking to avoid Align because it’s so pricey - do you do the “take it for one week per month” route or the daily route? Do you mind me asking how bad your previous symptoms were - mine were “it’s bothering me and it’s noticeable and I’m uncomfortable” but they weren’t gut wrenching or preventing me from working. I take Align daily. It is not cheap, but for me, it is a small price to pay. My previous symptoms were absolutely not debilitating. It bothered me from time to time and was uncomfortable, but it definitely was not gut-wrenching nor did it prevent me from working. My pants occasionally felt really tight, so I thought I was just gaining weight. I tried keeping track of what I was eating, but I imagine the interactions between foods can be complicated enough that an untrained person like myself would not have detected a pattern. I am also absolutely not overweight and get plenty of exercise. My wife finally got sick of my complaining and told me I needed to try to take care of it. I happened to talk to my sister and we discovered that we had almost identical symptoms. She ended up getting herself checked out and after a thorough analysis, her gastroenterologist did not even find sufficient cause to order a GI. I am certainly in touch with my physician and do not do anything health-related without his feedback. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/25 "2010-05-19T01:23:14Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > While questing for the exact mixture of various probiotics, reduced and zero-lactose products, and various high and low fiber supplements in all their myriad manifestations, please remember to consider checking in with your doctor to rule out conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s), pancreatic insufficiency, peptic ulcer disease, gallstones, esophageal varices, diverticulosis, intestinal strictures, and a number of other entities, all of which have the potential to be deadly and none of which will be adequately treated by the interventions described in the rest of this thread. > > Also keep in mind that the most effective treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, aka IBS ( **NOT** to be confused with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD) tend to combine such modalities as pushing fluids, judiciously using bulking agents, getting exercise, using biofeedback and/or relaxation techniques, avoiding fermentable saccharides, avoiding nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, judiciously using anti-depressants, avoiding opiates, sedatives, and stimulant laxatives, and a few other things that are more symptom-directed. > > Just saying… The worst part about your father being a gastroenterologist is that you have to talk to your dad about your poop _all the time_. :p. It was pretty easy to figure out I was lactose intolerant; my mother is and so is a sibling. I’ve had lots of food allergy tests; nothing bothers me but lactose. Did an elimination diet to confirm. Basically it’s just moderate IBS - and, of course, of the triggers you listed, caffeine and stress are the biggest two. I’m 10 pounds overweight, but slowly chipping away at that as well. I do try very hard to control my stress, but it’s difficult. Just recently the bloating and discomfort became a bigger problem, and he recommended Align, but I was looking to avoid the cost. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Question: do you find that yogurt does bug your lactose intolerance? I know that sounds like a dumb question, but it’s possible you haven’t even tried it given your sensitivity to lactose. Some folks find they _can_ tolerate some yogurt and/or cheese even with lactose intolerance. Not a dumb question at all! My brother and mother (both intolerant) find yogurt just fine, but not me. A single slice of cheese on a sandwich won’t bother me, but sour cream, cheese, ice cream, and especially milk will. Plus I just plain don’t want to down yogurt every day. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/26 "2010-05-19T01:33:27Z")
Missed the edit: **Qadgop** , the 'dope is a good place to get an aggregate of opinions for what works and what doesn’t - provided you’ve sought a doc’s opinion first, of course. No woo woo medicine going on here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/27 "2010-05-19T02:27:29Z")
Try Swanson Health Products, they have a couple pages of various probiotics, at excellent prices. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722/28 "2010-05-19T03:39:28Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > The worst part about your father being a gastroenterologist is that you have to talk to your dad about your poop _all the time_. :p. In some ways I envy you. Unfortunately, I am really the only one all that interested in my ordure. My wife comes from a very prim family; it took her years to get used to the fact that I find my bodily functions so endlessly interesting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-probiotics-and-other-otc-drugs-that-help-with-stomach-issues/539722.md?page=1)