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Probiotic Recommendation for Mum on Long Term Antibiotics
Hi B. and Daniel,
I have a question I’d appreciate your thoughts on.
Mum has been on two courses of the same antibiotic (Flucloxacillin) recently, first in May then again in July due to an infection in her lower right leg. She’s had this same antibiotic a number of times over the past few years, originally due to recurring fungal infections in the folds of her abdominal area.
This latest course was prescribed for an infection of her front right tibia, which was related to a combination of lymphedema and pitted odema. Please see attached pictures, both from when the leg was oozing and more recent ones showing progress.
The lymphedema nurse has now recommended long term prophylactic antibiotics to prevent further flare ups. Mum’s GP has prescribed doxycycline for three months as a trial (the nurse had suggested six). The idea is to reduce the risk of recurrent infection, as she’s quite vulnerable long-term due to her underlying conditions: heart failure, stage 4 kidney disease, poor circulation, and severe mobility issues due to osteoarthritis.
The nurse also mentioned that mum should be on probiotics. She asked me if she eats yoghurt, which she does occasionally, but only in small amounts, and not enough to be therapeutic. The thing is, mum has never taken probiotics before, despite years of antibiotics for various conditions. She also has a very sensitive stomach, so I’d need to go slowly.
Importantly, she can’t tolerate powders or liquids, capsules or tablets only, ideally small ones.
Please can you recommend a broad based probiotic in capsule form that’s gentle and suitable for someone starting from scratch? I’m looking for something that supports gut health without causing side effects like diarrhoea or bloating.
Thanks so much as always.
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This discussion was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by
naslam1603.
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This discussion was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by
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4 Replies
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Hey @naslam1603 ,
You’re absolutely right to be thinking about probiotics here. Long-term antibiotics like doxycycline can alter the gut microbiome. If you are looking for a supplement, I would probably go for a broad-spectrum probiotic like Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete. Start with a low dose (for example, half a capsule, perhaps even every other day).
Although this formula is gentle, in some cases lactobacillus and bifidobacteria can cause some bloating. Most of the time this disapears over a few days as the body adjusts.
I hope this will help your mum Naveed!
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Good morning, Daniel,
Is this the product?
I was wondering if you could help me find a similar probiotic from the Amrita Nutrition or The Natural Dispensary website as I tend to purchase my supplements from them.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by naslam1603.
naturesfix.co.uk
Ther-Biotic Complete (60 Veg Capsules) | Klaire Labs | Nature's Fix
Ther-Biotic Complete by Klaire Labs offers a comprehensive probiotic blend for digestive and immune support. Promote wellness naturally. Find it at Nature's Fix!
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Hey @naslam1603 ,
The formula from Klaire Labs is one of the few that actually survives the acidity of the stomach, which is something not all probiotics can claim. It strikes a strong balance between efficacy, tolerability, and safety, especially for fragile patients like your mum. It delivers 25 billion CFU (colony-forming units), which gives it a therapeutic edge.
On the websites you’ve shared, there are also some other good options. A few of them are gentler (with a lower CFU count) but still use smart delivery tech to protect the strains through stomach acid. Here are two worth mentioning:
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Proflora 4R (Biocidin Botanicals):
Lower potency (4 billion CFU), but includes soothing herbs like aloe vera and marshmallow to calm the gut lining. A good option if she’s very sensitive, but avoid if she’s intolerant to yeast, as it contains S. boulardii. -
CT‑Biotic (CellCore Biosciences):
Also lower in CFUs (3.5 billion) plus S. boulardii. But it also survives the acidity of the stomach due to the BioActive Carbon® delivery technology.
That said, my preferred choice remains Ther-Biotic from Klaire Labs, for its broad strain diversity, clinical reliability, and strong overall track record, especially in post-antibiotic or immunocompromised settings.
Hope this helps clarify things and makes the decision a little easier.
Daniel
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Hi Daniel,
I’ll go ahead and order your original recommendation – Klaire Labs.
Thank you.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by
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