Need Probiotic Suggestions-kind and dosage

[MMWG]

We just finished a strong round of augmentin, and prior to that were on preventative penicillin daily since May. Our son has had chronic constipation since he was a baby, and is now up to 2 capfuls of miralax a day (if we miss even one day, he is backed up). With this last round of augmentin, it was so strong it kept causing him the opposite problem, so we cut out the miralax. Of course, now that he is finished, his stomach is a mess--we finally were able to clear him out yesterday.

 

We have never really used probiotics--I try to give him kefir or good belly but we aren't regular with it. Given his extensive antibiotic use and his chronic tummy problems, I know we need to look into probiotics (and maybe beyond that--just read the ultramind solution book, which is enough to give anybody pause). Anyway, I want to start with probiotics before I go on to explore other supplements or food sensitivity issues.

 

As of today, we are not on any abx, and have just started an anxiety medicine to help him with the severe anxiety that came with his most recent exacerbation (why he was on the augmentin). I feel like our pediatrician is great at working with us on abx and medication, but has no tolerance or patience for any discussion about holistic health approaches. I have asked him several times if we should try probiotics, be concerned about yeast, and what alternatives there might be to this huge amount of miralax, and he is not interested in discussing those things. I believe in traditional medicine, but I also know my little guy is still not doing very well, so I want to look into these "alternative" issues.

 

Could someone suggest a probiotic plan we could use? He weighs 55 lbs and is 6 years old.

 

I am also considering looking into zinc and fish oil, but I think this could get overwhelming quickly, so I am trying to start slowly. Thanks very much.

[MomWithOCDSon]

Hi MMWG --

 

I would start slow with probiotics and see how your son responds. For our DS, there has been an "ideal balance" in terms of types and doses, but it took us a while to figure that out.

 

If your son is prone to constipation, I would stay away from sachrys boulardiis which is especially good for curbing diarrhea. Other than that, most strains or blends are probably a good start; just know that it will probably take a while to sufficiently populate the gut with this new flora and see results.

 

We like lactobillus (Culturelle) and a probiotic from Renew Life that we get at the Vitamin Shoppe. Because of the high count in this particular one, we don't have to give multiple pills throughout the day.

 

Renew Life - 50B

 

There are a number of options with lower unit counts, as well, to start more gradually; Culturelle is a good one because it is 10 billion units in a single capsule and it comes in a kid's formula, also, that can be mixed in applesauce, juice, etc.

 

Kefir and yogurt contain primarily acidolpholus, which is fine if your child isn't currently taking antibiotics; but acidolpholus is readily killed off by antibiotics, so it's not a great choice during times when you're dosing, even if you try and spread those dosages apart. Meanwhile, bifodus and lactobillus, along with sach boulardiis, are more resistant to abx, so there's a better survival rate for those, even when given simultaneously with abx.

 

Hope that helps a little. Good luck!