I was wondering since we dont have colons would it still be important for us to take probiotics? If so would they provide any benefit to us.

Hi Alex
Im a very new poucher (havent had takedown yet) and Ive already had a bout of pouchitis. Everyone has recommended taking probiotics to combat this problem. Im quite sure probiotics is not just good for the colon but for the stomach and small intestine too and therefore our pouch. I take inner health plus and eat a yogurt every day now and I must admit I do feel a little better.

It's been a couple years for me with a j-pouch & I would highly reccomend probiotics. I take a packet of VSL3 every day or two & a Aline tablet every day & have very few problems.

Hope this helps.

Jerry

I also take 1 packet of vsl3ds every morning.

Thank goodness i have not dealt with pouchitis. I can say that i ran out of medication for 3 days and was starting to feel a little off. Once i got the probiotic going again, i started feeling considerably better,

Best to you

Derek

When u guys say u all feeling better with probiotics what exactly do u all see improvement in.

The pouch inflamation seems to be under control.

Kinda hard to describe,

When i was off them for 3 says i got achy, had some small pains down low, and just overall did not feel so good.

W/i 1 day of my getting my script refilled, all those feelings went away.

Could be mental, who knows. But if it works, i am not changing it.

I started taking probiotics as a teenager, long before I was dx with UC, and of course continued taking them with UC and now post UC. I don't know if they improve pouch function but I do know when my intestines get grumbly, a probiotic will silence it. It won't hurt to take them and one day research may indicate they are beneficial for us. Who knows?

Sue

My GI treats pouchitis with a probiotic enema