Background:
So after my midwife's recommendation of taking pro-biotics to help lessen the chance of actually testing positive for group B strep, I decided to find out if the current pro-biotics [Jamieson advanced 4 strain] I am taking have positive reviews out there on the Internet or not. I want to avoid group B strep if possible.
For sure I can say the Jamieson 4-strain is helping my skin, which is awesome - but what about my ladyparts?
I came across this informative article about evidence based pro-biotics. Seems like a rather good idea (to be evidence based). Here's another article on the effect of pro-biotics and FERTILITY. Long but good!
There I read about a product called "Fem-Dophilus". I then got really excited. Google it and 'prevent group B strep' and you get loads of hits and comments about how it seems to work. In fact, I came across a clinical study that is currently taking participants (in Santa Cruz) to specifically test whether or not taking fem-dophilus from 28 weeks decreases incidence of group B strep. They don't just decide on a whim to do a study, I am thinking, there must be major anecdotal evidence. I called my local hippie shop, and they do in fact carry it. I have some non-ideality going on "down there", let's see if this changes things.
I am still planning to take the Jamieson 4-strain - can't hurt to fix my skin as well. If some pro-biotics fix my skin, that is telling you I had some serious gut balance issues for many many years. Um...like, forever.
Update:
When I upped the Jamieson to 3/day AND started the fem-dophilus, my lady parts seems to be getting in better shape. Then I moved Jamieson to 1/day, and my lady parts when back to only slightly better than they were.
So I'm moving back up to 3/day. After a few days, I could tell it totally helped. For me, anyway, and my gut, it seems to be the Jamieson doing the heavy lifting. I am still taking the fem-dophilus too - don't want to mess with the system too much.
Further Update:
Well, I think moving down to 1/day of the 4-strain sort of screwed me. I tested GBS positive.
Right now it sort of feels like there is a bacterial war going on, and some days the good guys win, some days the bad guys win. Also, I ran out of fem-dopholus, probably I should go back on. Particularly with antibiotics coming up.
Random things that may have been improved by probiotics:
- This may or may not be due to the probiotics - but DH got sick, and I DIDN'T. This is the first time, ever. (Also I think RRL tea helped)
- Skin MUCH improved, then moved to mostly improved (including starting to improve my rosacea) (see that comment about a war going on above)
- My super painful right lymph node has calmed down considerably
That's really interesting! And it's neat to read the possible other benefits of taking those.
ReplyDeleteAnd darn it for testing positive! I hope you are as good as new very soon!