My mother is 90 years old and has had previous bouts of acid reflux as well as diverticulitis and diverticulosis. She was put on a regimen of 150 of ranitidine twice daily, indefinitely. This means she has been taking this ranitidine for years and years and years. 3 years ago my mother was involved in a car accident that, after long term care, still rendered her unable to ever walk again, and with myoclonus. Her diet changed, drastically, as she no longer craved sweets (yes, she is diabetic), and she stopped wanting greasy fried foods and junk foods. She lost weight, and subsequently, reduced her units of insulin, majorly. She also gave up milk, which she determined caused diarrhea (and she loved milk and drank it daily), and the fried foods, she determined, also gave her diarrhea. However, she still has had bouts of diarrhea or loose stool, frequent trips to the potty. She has been taking a capsule form of probiotic for over a year, and that, combined with diet changes, helped immensely. More recently, she began having pains in her side, and seems it was due to constipation from a med she no longer takes, and perhaps not drinking enough fluid. After giving her Purelax for 3 days in a row, the extremely foul odor of her bowel movements returned to normal. At about the same time, I stepped up the number of colonies, ad well as types of probiotic, with a different brand name, started her drinking Kifer (store bought brand from Walmart) as well as Activia, which has probiotic. Although she has no pain in her side, now, the odor has returned, and the color of her stool never returned to normal, instead remains a darkish herbal green color. She has a tendency to have frequent bowel movements, now, but sometimes only a few bits at a time, which are softer than normal, fairly short and not very big around, about the size of a finger. She also has started having gas. For now, I have discontinued all probiotic. However, I have read conflicting advise on these side effects. Some articles indicate that the foul smell and gas means the probiotic is working, so to continue (although perhaps the probiotic capsule yogurt and Kifer, altogether, may be a bit much). Other articles I read have stated that taking too much probiotic and/or Kifer, can cause these side effects, and to cease taking theme, or reduce the amount. I also question my mothers continued need for ranitidine, which I just read can cause diarrhea in the elderly, as well as confusion, etc (she does have dementia). Her doctor isn't of very much help, he has the typical "doesn't really matter/who really cares" attitude that many doctors do, of the elderly. He had no interest in doing anything or checking out anything, beyond giving Purelax and "let her eat anything she wants, she's 90." I am her daughter, and sole caregiver. I do everything I can to keep her head as clear as possible, and keep her bodily functions working as best they can, and with as much balance as I can. Sadly, most of this is figured out on my own, and through the internet. Thank God for the internet. What is your advice on continuing the ranitadine? What is your best advice on the probiotics, and what do you think of her side effects? Is this being caused by the probiotic . Thank you for your help.