Has anybody here tried Align (probiotic) for IBS? Experiences?

I suffer from IBS, and while in Florida this weekend, this friend of mine told me about Align, and how it's been a life saver for her. I had never heard about it, but in researching it, a lot of people with IBS swear by it. Both double blind studies were done in IBS patients with very good results too...
It is a probiotic, but with a single strand of a different and new/patented one called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, or short "Bifantis".
Everywhere I look people with IBS seem to rave about it... A lot of people say that their doctors prescribed to them too.
I decided to give it a try, as being a probiotic I feel there is really nothing to lose, and I am simply tired of my symptoms. I think anybody who have IBS can pretty much agree with me that it sucks. I travel quite a bit, and every time I am out of my home I am afraid of eating. Anything can trigger a disaster...
Anyways, has anybody here heard about it? Does anybody take it? If so, how do you like it?

I have no experience with it. But I have heard of people eating that Activia yogurt for bowel distress. Have you tried that.

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

I have no experience with it. But I have heard of people eating that Activia yogurt for bowel distress. Have you tried that.

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Activia works well for constipation and regularity, but what I am talking about are the IBS symptoms- constipation is only one of them... And not the worst one...

I can highly recommend one called Custom Probiotics 1. www.customprobiotics.com . It's actually one I stock/sell via my online store, so if you're interested let me know. I've referred several others to it and they've all liked it and my family uses it as well.

Cally

Originally Posted by Carolina

Activia works well for constipation and regularity, but what I am talking about are the IBS symptoms- constipation is only one of them... And not the worst one...

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I have a mild case of IBS (just pain usually...) so I kind of bear with it. I did try this for a few days before realizing I was allergic to it. As far as the pain.. it did lessen but it was kind of offset by the hives.

Are you allergic to any medications? I'm allergic to practically all antibiotics under the sun and it seems to be extending to probiotics as well.

With my small stint with it did seem to work however. If you aren't allergic to anything I would try it.

Originally Posted by LisaR

I have a mild case of IBS (just pain usually...) so I kind of bear with it. I did try this for a few days before realizing I was allergic to it. As far as the pain.. it did lessen but it was kind of offset by the hives.

Are you allergic to any medications? I'm allergic to practically all antibiotics under the sun and it seems to be extending to probiotics as well.

With my small stint with it did seem to work however. If you aren't allergic to anything I would try it.

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Thanks! not allergic to anything here! I tried other probiotics in the past, and it didn't do much for my IBS... This however seems to have very good results specifically for the disease, so much so that both double bling studies were done only on ibs patients...
I hope it works!!!! so many people are raving about this thing! I wonder if it works for cats too? hummm...........

make sure to add digestive enzymes to the probiotic regime

Originally Posted by sharky

make sure to add digestive enzymes to the probiotic regime

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Ahhhhhh..... I was waiting for you Jen!
For me or the Cats?
Do you have anything in mind? Anything you like? I know you do have IBS too, right? what enzymes do you take/like?

Originally Posted by Carolina

Ahhhhhh..... I was waiting for you Jen!

For me or the Cats?

Do you have anything in mind? Anything you like? I know you do have IBS too, right? what enzymes do you take/like?

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Well after an visit with my inhaler ( ie thanks for the laugh ... )

Both can use them ... What are you eating? do you routinely eat certain foods like red meat or soy?

I have a few that I take in rotation

Originally Posted by sharky

Well after an visit with my inhaler ( ie thanks for the laugh ... )

Both can use them ... What are you eating? do you routinely eat certain foods like red meat or soy?

I have a few that I take in rotation

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It varies with my mood... I do eat red meat, but not routinelly. Frozen foods like lean cousine are more likely as well as turkey, tuna or chicken salad sandwiches, salads, etc.
Soy mainly if it is a hidden ingredient - I don't really do tofu or soy milk... I like it, just don't do it, unless I go to a thai restaurant...
When I eat out I do eat red meat.

Originally Posted by Carolina

I tried other probiotics in the past, and it didn't do much for my IBS...

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Just curious. You were thoroughly checked to make sure absolutely nothing was wrong with your biliary system, correct?

I have a combo of no gallbladder-biliary system messed up and IBS (a simple glass of water can trigger symptoms) and while I haven't tried the Align brand, other probiotics were useless.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Just curious. You were thoroughly checked to make sure absolutely nothing was wrong with your biliary system, correct?

I have a combo of no gallbladder-biliary system messed up and IBS (a simple glass of water can trigger symptoms) and while I haven't tried the Align brand, other probiotics were useless.

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My doctor didn't bring this up, but I hear that it can happen in people with IBS... I am not there yet, and hopefully will not get to that point.

As I read, I see it appears that there is only one particular strain of probiotic that has been proven so far to have an effect on the specific symptoms in IBS patients, and that is in fact the one in Align, Bifidobacterium infantis. Maybe that is the reason why the others didn't work for me in the past, because they really don't? Not sure...

Originally Posted by Carolina

My doctor didn't bring this up, but I hear that it can happen in people with IBS... I am not there yet, and hopefully will not get to that point.

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Odd, that's usually the first thing to rule out. What does fat do to you?

You can certainly try the Align if you want, you'll only be out the cost of it. But if you find it's not helping at all it could be because your gut flora is perfectly fine... it's something else that's messing up. I really hope that's not the case as it makes things complicated.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Odd, that's usually the first thing to rule out. What does fat do to you?

You can certainly try the Align if you want, you'll only be out the cost of it. But if you find it's not helping at all it could be because your gut flora is perfectly fine... it's something else that's messing up. I really hope that's not the case as it makes things complicated.

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All I am saying is that he didn't bring it up... I will though... Now that I am employed and insured again, I will go back to the doctor soon - need to discuss a series of things.
Fat is a Russian roulette for me. It also depends on the fat and on the amount - say the fat in a grilled chicken sandwich versus the fat in a pizza.
Hi fat foods usually (90% of the times) trigger bad cramping and "the big D" as soon as I finish my plate - sometimes I don't even have the time to finish eating.
A few times I am just fine though.
I play it safe whenever I go out.... Eat as healthy as I can to avoid a crisis, but I am always afraid to eat outside of my house.

Originally Posted by Carolina

Hi fat foods usually (90% of the times) trigger bad cramping and "the big D" as soon as I finish my plate - sometimes I don't even have the time to finish eating.
A few times I am just fine though.

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Really?! That's what I went through for years with a bad gallbladder and still go through. Sometimes I can eat pizza, most of the time it's a very bad idea. (yesterday it was a bad idea) There can be serious consequences for your liver and pancreas if there's anything going on in your gallbladder or ducts, so I hope that can be ruled out.

I can handle small amounts of natural fats, such as you gave the example of - meat fat. Anything fake or greasy is asking for trouble. I also have problems if I have too much sugar, even in fruit.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Really?! That's what I went through for years with a bad gallbladder and still go through. Sometimes I can eat pizza, most of the time it's a very bad idea. (yesterday it was a bad idea) There can be serious consequences for your liver and pancreas if there's anything going on in your gallbladder or ducts, so I hope that can be ruled out.

I can handle small amounts of natural fats, such as you gave the example of - meat fat. Anything fake or greasy is asking for trouble. I also have problems if I have too much sugar, even in fruit.

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No trouble with sugars here, unless they are in high fat desserts... I will schedule my Dr.s' appointment for probably this week and will make sure to bring this up with him.

Ok, today is day 8, and I got to say this thing WORKS!
I feel really good, and since day 5 or 6 my digestive tract feels "normal".......... for the first time in a long time. Haven't had an IBS crisis yet, even eating dessert or Ice cream, yey!
It could be coincidence, But I really have been testing it and........ nothing!
If it only worked for my acid reflux.... then I would be in heaven!
I ordered some digestive enzymes, so that should help on that, and will se a doctor soon, but wanted to follow up on this. If anybody here has IBS, I totally recommend this - really awesome stuff!

Originally Posted by Carolina

Ok, today is day 8, and I got to say this thing WORKS!

I feel really good, and since day 5 or 6 my digestive tract feels "normal".......... for the first time in a long time. Haven't had an IBS crisis yet, even eating dessert or Ice cream, yey!
It could be coincidence, But I really have been testing it

and........ nothing!

If it only worked for my acid reflux.... then I would be in heaven!
I ordered some digestive enzymes, so that should help on that, and will se a doctor soon, but wanted to follow up on this. If anybody here has IBS, I totally recommend this - really awesome stuff!

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That's fabulous that you found something that helps with the stress (to relax mentally) and that also stops the intestines from spasming !!!!

I can totally sympathize. The food trigger for me to mild diarrhea, GAS and bloating is eating too much oatmeal too quickly (high soluble fiber/protein remains in the system and is difficult for the body to digest quickly etc). Horrid side effects. And I read that this only happens in people with IBS, but it's confusing because eating in moderation is OK and nothing else seems to set it off...besides a occasional bit of diarrhea after I drink my daily ton of caffeinated drinks (green tea. )

Originally Posted by elayman

That's fabulous that you found something that helps with the stress (to relax mentally) and that also stops the intestines from spasming !!!!

I can totally sympathize. The food trigger for me to mild diarrhea, GAS and bloating is eating too much oatmeal too quickly (high soluble fiber/protein remains in the system and is difficult for the body to digest quickly etc). Horrid side effects.

And I read that this only happens in people with IBS, but it's confusing because eating in moderation is OK and nothing else seems to set it off...besides a occasional bit of diarrhea after I drink my daily ton of caffeinated drinks (green tea.

)

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this doesn't really do anything to help with the stress.... unless you count the stress of being in fear of eating, but it s just an specific probiotic. It does help to prevent the intestines to spasm, prevents cramps, gas, etc. It is fabulous stuff. I just ate Chicken pot pie and a slice of lemon pie, and no reaction.... If I was not taking this, chances are I would be in the bathroom mid pie.