Yeah, I'm still on antibiotics, but I'll be done on Wednesday and I'll hit the probiotics then. I'm eating lots of yogurt in the meantime.

I don't have access to the Lacto capsules right now, but I'll pick some up next time I'm out. I am horribly disposed to canker sores (an abrasion on my tongue after the surgery has since developed into a nice festering wound. Hello, liquid diet). Anything I can do to mediate that is great.

Other than that, the rest of the GI tract is back to normal, yay.

Thanks!

I was preparing to suggest hitting the vitamin C twice a day (something I would do), 500 mg at a time, but in researching it, I do not find that recommendation. The thought is to improve your body's wound healing process. If you go too high on the C you will get the runs, but for most folks that would be in the 4-5 grams a day range.

There was a mention of Vitamin B12 as a aid in healing and prevention and lysine supplementation is suggested for prevention.

The sensitivity and pain is a part of the exposed nerve endings and finding things that alleviate the sensitivity (mouth rinses - either OTC or simple warm salt water) does not appear to promote or retard healing - just make the pain more bearable. Aloe vera juice may be found effective for soothing mouth lesions. Anything coating or cooling can be helpful, the ultimate there being a spoonful of vanilla ice cream. Your yogurt should help also - let it sit in your mouth momentarily on your tongue lesion as you eat it, and dose yourself with a spoonful frequently through the day. Providing natural normal bacteria to out compete the ones that are causing the tissue lesion and cell breakdown is part of the thought there.

If you go the Lacto capsule route and not the powder, be sure to open one and take the powder right on your tongue and swish around your mouth as suggested before. Also look for those in the refrigerated or freezer case so you are getting good fresh preserved active bacteria (maybe that will just be the powder form).

Agreed. All the treatments I've found for canker sores are strictly palliative (although I find using an SLS-free toothpaste reduces their occurrences). Plus, anything in the mouth washes right off, which is the problem I have with sore throat sprays ("good for 5 seconds!").

I presume with the aloe juice you're talking about a processed product I can buy in a store? I believe the straight gel induces vomiting if ingested.

But yep, that's basically what I've been doing: eating creamy liquids and soft foods. I'll grab some of those supplements next time I'm out. Thanks!

Good natural food markets will have filtered aloe vera juice available (liquid not gel). Usually provided in a dark or brown glass bottle, it is stable until opened (then needs refrigeration), palatable, and completely drinkable. It can promote healing topically like the gel but can also be used as a mouth rinse and swallowed or drank for systemic gut healing properties. My Mom always treated our sunburns topically with fresh aloe leaf pulp processed in a blender (and it works!).

I have used the liquid topically on parrots that are feather picking (to address possible skin or follicle irritation).