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Can anyone taking VSL 3, answer my query?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/13/2010 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have decided to start taking a probiotic, and have just received my first box of VSL 3.

Can anyone tell me if they followed the dose instructions on the box, which is 1 - 2 sachets a day? I always seem to react to anything i take, so would it be sensible to start with maybe half a pack per day?

I am also in a flare right now, on no meds, due to not being able to take anything, would a probiotic help with controlling a flare?

Thanks in advance x
Posted 1/13/2010 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi -
I've been taking VSL for about 9 months now, and I find it helps a lot. Twice I've let myself run out of it to see if I could get by without it (given the cost) and my symptoms have returned - bleeding, etc - so, I think I can say without a doubt it works for me.

Yes, start with 1/2 a packet! Great idea! I found that when I first started it, I had some gas. The smell of the gas changed, and the smell of the poops changed with the introduction of the VSL. So a slow introduction is not a bad thing - and if you have some gas at first, my experience was that it was beneficial to just be patient and live through that, and it did go away.

I found that one packet a day along with morning and night Ultimate Flora Critical Care (50 billion per capsule) was pretty good to keep me without symptoms. But now that I've gotten my doc to write a prescription for VSL#3 DS and my insurance covers a big bite of it, that will be cheaper than buying anything else, probiotic-per-penny.

Good luck, I'd like to know how it goes for you!
Posted 1/13/2010 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
And - PS -
I didn't answer your last question. I have had VSL get me out of flares twice - last summer, and then just the past few days (I'd been sliding into a miniflare since Christmas.) I found bleeding to stop, poops to be more formed and less frequent. I hope you have the same experience!
Posted 1/13/2010 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Songlady - your insurance co. Didn't give you problems because vsl#3 ds is over the counter?
Posted 1/13/2010 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Don't the instructions recommend 2-4 packets per day if you aren't using or aren't responding to conventional meds?
Posted 1/13/2010 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Passer - I had tried twice in the past 8 months to have VSL prescribed. Both times I got messages back from my ins. that they wouldn't cover it because it was OTC. This time I stood over the GI's shoulder and told him how to write the order - DS, packets of 20...... and sure, enough, the mail-order pharmacy covered it! (Or a good portion of it.)

When I had first looked up VSL last spring, DS was listed on the website as a prescription item only.
Now I can't even find it on there. I'm intrigued....What makes you say it's OTC?
Posted 1/13/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)

Levi said...
Don't the instructions recommend 2-4 packets per day if you aren't using or aren't responding to conventional meds?

Yes, the recommended dosage is higher (4-8 packets a day) for active UC. And 1-2 packets a day is recommended for when symptoms are in remission.

But it's a good idea to ease into it starting with 1/2 a pack or so, so that it doesn't jolt the system. Some people find that the lower dosage works fine for them, but I prefer to use the recommended amount.
Posted 1/13/2010 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Bingo to what Rio said.

I think it's always good to start any supplement at a reduced dosage to ease into it at first!
Posted 1/13/2010 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Dont know if you are adventurous but I am thinking of trying to take it the other way by injection to see if it is more efficient.
Posted 1/13/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)

crazytrain411 said...
Dont know if you are adventurous but I am thinking of trying to take it the other way by injection to see if it is more efficient.

I don't think taking it by injection is a good idea, or a risk worth taking. These treatments have been tested based on oral use, so even taking it as an enema is a slight risk -- but an enema could still be worthwhile. However, you have no idea at all how this will work, or react, if injected into the bloodstream.
Posted 1/13/2010 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Or did you mean to use it as an enema, crazytrain? I believe some members on here have used probiotics as enemas....not sure about VSL#3 itself. One potential issue I see is that it won't reach the entire colon, so you'd need to take it orally still to ensure coverage throughout the colon.

But, if you were intending to inject it into the bloodstream, I think that could be highly dangerous.
Posted 1/14/2010 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely not injection in bloodstream, but a rectal injection with an enema. My colitis is pretty much at the end and thats how I took my salofalk 5-ASA for 6 years since it was the most efficient way to get to the problem. Never had any med pills.
Posted 1/14/2010 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Ah, that's what you meant by "injection."
Frankly, I'm doing so well with it orally and I already take 5ASA enemas, so I think I'll leave things are they are. As Fruitgirl pointed out, I like the concept of the good bacteria going all through the digestive system, doing their little "happy bug" thing......
Posted 1/14/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)

crazytrain411 said...
Definitely not injection in bloodstream but a rectal injection with an enema. .

Ok...that clarifies it. A couple of people on here have tried VSL#3 as an enema, but not sure if they noticed any marked benefit from doing that instead of taking it orally. Also, another additional way to use VSL#3 is to make yogurt with it. You may not get the exact blend of strains as not all strains may get through the yogurt-making process, but it's still a good way to boost up on probiotics.
Posted 1/14/2010 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the response. I feel a little worried about starting a probiotic just because everything I ever take seems to react with me. Did anyone experience the die off effect of the bad bacteria when starting vsl 3?

Also can you tell me whether you are meant to take this product before or after food?

And for people who follow an anti inflammatory diet, can you please advise me on what kind of foods you would have for lunch? I want to stop eating so much White bread, and ham so any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks x
Posted 1/14/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Mercury...the first time I took VSL#3 I got a lot of bloating and slight worsening of symptoms because I started off immediately with the max dose. The next time I tried it, I built up the dosage gradually from 1 pack a day, and it all went smoothly.

I take it in between meals. You're not supposed to have it with hot food or close to when you eat because the heat from the food can kill the bacteria.
Posted 1/14/2010 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
I can't answer the question about inflammatory foods, because I've never paid much attention to that.
Funny, though, how we're all different - very few foods bother me, but ham is one of them that has always caused me digestive issues!

I don't believe the VSL specifies when to take it, but I take it between meals, midafternoon. Partly that's because once I mix it with liquid and drink that (or with applesauce and eat it) I'm full!
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