When you saw the title of this post, I’m sure you thought: Carrie, we do NOT want to hear about your digestive health. Move on, please.
But wait. I’d really like to start a conversation about it, without getting into TMI territory of course.
The thing about it is, I’m sort of an expert on others’ digestive health. Both Noodle and Bee have medium to severe reflux– as you probably know, Noodle’s reflux was (is) so bad she needed to be fed via tube. Although her reflux is better, it took over a year of tube feeding, three years of medication, and years of feeding therapy & GI appointments– including a month-long stint at a feeding clinic. Were are still “in the weeds” so to speak, though it’s getting better. Thank goodness.
So, yeah, digestive health is pretty near and dear to my heart. The funny thing is that I’ve focused so much on both of my kid’s issues on this subject I’ve completely ignored mine.
I’ve been researching probiotics since Noodle was about 6 months old. I’ve asked her GI doctor, pediatrician, nutritionist, Early Intervention therapists, and even friends what they know about them. {If you’ve heard the term but aren’t quite sure what it means, probiotics are “healthy bacteria” that live in our digestive tracts and assist with digestion.} Without dispensing any official claims since I am not a doctor, I’ve gathered from others that increasing this bacteria can help your body function more properly, in various areas.
And, better functioning tummies are definitely at the top of my list.
To that end, I’ve decided to challenge myself to focus on my own health– starting NOW. I started taking Member’s Mark 4X Probiotic last week, and will report back on how I’m feeling soon. Member’s Mark 4X Probiotic is available at Sam’s Club, if you are interested in trying it as well. If you want to learn more about digestive health, visit the DigestiveHealthForMe website to read more about it– there’s a lot to learn over there!
Just yesterday my mom was nagging talking to me about taking better care of myself, and I know it’s something I need to do. One roadblock on my road to general health has been digestion, so I’m proud of myself for taking positive steps in that direction. There’s several more roadblocks to tackle, but I’m working on that, too– and will let you know how it’s going in a few days.
The road to health has to begin somewhere, and I’m thinking my tummy is a great place to start.
I kinda of do want an update after you have been on this awhile. I am lactose intolerant but also have a sensitive stomach. Many people have suggested I also try probiotics. Glad you are willing to be a guinea pig! hehe Good Luck
Ah, probiotics! Can’t wait to hear what happens to your stomach. When I first tried to start taking them about 6 mos. ago I had to stop because apparently they were staging World War III in my intestines with what I guess were all the useless/harmful bacteria lurking in there and the result was…not good. But since then I’ve been easing myself into them over the past few months (every 5 days, every 4 days, every 3 days, and so on) with far less violent side effects.
I am looking forward to seeing how this works for you. Kudos for taking time to take care of YOU!