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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Broken Skin, Bloated Feeling. Cancer Patient. Undergoing Radiation, Chemo. Can I Take Probiotic?

Hi, I am a cancer patient undergoing radiation and chemo, and I have broken skin, thus I have a risk of infection. I was on antibiotics for 4 weeks just prior to the cancer treatments, and I think I may need a probiotic due to a bloated feeling when I eat. The pharmacist at my hospital warned me against taking probiotics due to risk of septic infection. When I search the Internet, I see that septic infection from probiotics was in rare instances: people who had dental surgery, or babies who had injections of the probiotic. Do you think taking a probiotic orally in a capsule would pose a risk for my situation? Thanks very much.
posted on Sun, 27 Oct 2013
Twitter Wed, 30 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi and welcome to HCM,thank you for your query.
I dont think that there is any risk from taking probiotics in your case. Bacterias in probiotics dont cause infections so there is no way that it can lead to sepsis or any other infection in body. It is actually recommendable to take it and improve digestion since bowel may be damaged by chemoth and radioth too. Described cases of some side effects are rarity and there is no scientific evidence of probiotics bad effect on immune system.

Wish you good health. Regards.
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Have Broken Skin, Bloated Feeling. Cancer Patient. Undergoing Radiation, Chemo. Can I Take Probiotic?

Hi and welcome to HCM,thank you for your query. I dont think that there is any risk from taking probiotics in your case. Bacterias in probiotics dont cause infections so there is no way that it can lead to sepsis or any other infection in body. It is actually recommendable to take it and improve digestion since bowel may be damaged by chemoth and radioth too. Described cases of some side effects are rarity and there is no scientific evidence of probiotics bad effect on immune system. Wish you good health. Regards.