Do probiotics make a difference for you?

I am just wondering for those of you taking probiotics, do they work? What was your experience before taking them? Constipation, diarrhea, maybe IBS? My doctor wants me to start taking these since I'm having problems going to the bathroom unless I drink Smooth Move tea. It's a laxative and I have to drink it every night just to go to the bathroom 2-3x weekly. Probiotics are so expensive I just would like to hear some of your experiences. 

Thanks for your time and information.

One a Day brand is $14.00 at Walmart for 30 pills. The keep me on my daily zchedule

My husband swears by them, but I have not had the diarrhea issues he's dealt with. He had horrendous GERD before the surgery and is now off those meds, but has found he feels best when taking a probiotic. Have you tried the liquid Good Belly kind?

I found them really helpful--especially the 20 billion strain capsules. They really help with keeping me regular (in addition to my sennekot, colace and miralax--not all at the same time! LOL). They also helped me kick my recurring yeast infections when used with my anti fungal meds. 

I do still take them, but only a few times a week. 

I've taken probiotics consistently for the past 2 years - they definitely help with less gas & more regularity, have not had any yeast infections since being on them (and with the often-wet-running clothes I wear, is quite a  surprise!), and have found that my system likes certain brands better than others: Allign, Culturelle.When first taking them, expect your guts to have some fits when first getting used to them; I had lots of bloating & gas at first, then my system realized I was doing something good for us!

I have found that they do help keep me from getting bloated and keep things regular. I buy the Vitamin Shoppe brand and take one every day.