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Remission by VSL3 enema

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/5/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)

I was having a flare-up for the last two weeks. In my case, a massive dose of probiotics worked during the last flare-up about three years ago. But it took 4-5 weeks of 4 VSL3 packs a day. The other thing I did that time was to do a daily enema of Phosphatidylcholine (PC). So I was not sure whether it was VSL3, PC enema, or a combination of both (of course, there is also the possibility that my body was just ready for a remission).

In any case, this time I decided to get the probiotics in my left-side column (my colitis is in rectum and sigmoid parts of the colon) in a more direct and efficient (?) manner. So I emptiied half packet of VSL3 in 1/2 cup of water and shoot it up using an empty fleet enema bottle. I was able to retain it for about 4 hours. Had an explosive BM afterwards with usual mucus and blood. But since then my symptoms have virtually disappeared.

I am still taking 2 packs of VSL3 per day and eating home-made yougurt. I also take turmeric, multivitamin, omega3, and CoQ-10 supplements. I also take 2 Lialda (increased to 4 in last 2 weeks), but it doesn't work for me anymore. Also tried Rowasa for two weeks without any relief. The GI as usual was pushing for steroids which I want to avoid until my life is in danger.

Posted 7/5/2010 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you the best of luck!

Why did you use only half a pack of VSL for the enema?

Anyone else ever try this and have good results?

I know Jini Thompson is big on the probiotic enema, but I haven't seen much here about it-

Thanks,

L

Posted 7/5/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynn4221.

1/2 pack of VSL3 has about 250 billion microbes. It seemed plenty given that they would not be destroyed by the stomach acid as they do when you take them orally. Jini Thompson's recipe recommends Natren probiotics which are pretty weak (about 20 billions or so) compared to VSL3.
Posted 7/5/2010 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
So excited to see someone on here did this. I have a flare that I just can't seem to fully resolve at the moment and refuse to up my prednisone dose again because it just restarts the vicious cycle. I have been thinking about this over the weekend but didn't know if anyone tried it. I have Crohn's but my last scope only showed disease in my lower left colon so was thinking the same as you berkuc that a probiotic enema would be a better way to get things where they needed to be!
Posted 7/5/2010 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I don't see any harm in trying it, but the usual caveat applies (I am not a doctor!). Wish you all the best. Let us know how it worked for you.
Posted 7/5/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
CupCakeGal-
If you try this, please post--
L
Posted 7/6/2010 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I'd love to try this. It seems to make a lot of sense going straight to the problem area and bypassing the stomach acid.


I'm just having trouble seeing how it can go all the way up through the rectum and sigmoid to the left side descending colon without the aid of a powerful propellant.

Unless osmosis plays a big role.
Posted 7/6/2010 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I'll let you know how it goes if I do it. I am thinking I might try it in the next couple days. I started thinking about it while reading all the poop transplant stories, seemed like kind of the same concept. My disease right now is only in the sigmoid colon and the very lower descending colon, so I am hoping if I keep in awhile it might multiply and get a little further up. Seems like a better shot than taking it orally and it has to go through the whole digestive system and only hit the spots I need on its last stop before leaving! Ha ha!

I'll keep ya'll posted if I try it!
Posted 7/6/2010 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Mackster:

If you have just the left-side colitis, the enema route should work ok. I am not sure that it will work so well for the whole colon version of the disease. I follow the routine of 5 minutes with the bottom raised up, 5 minutes on the left side, and then 5 minutes again with bottom raised up.

I am still taking VSL3 orally 2 packets a day, and will continue to do so until I feel super confident. Everyone is different, but for me, the enema got the dose up where it was needed most (proctosigmoid) in the quickest and most concentrated way.
Posted 7/6/2010 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Berkuc--
Are you doing this enema daily?
L
Posted 7/6/2010 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Just a thought, I read or heard somewhere recently but can't remember where that sterile saline water is much better for enema infusions because normal water makes the probiotics explode. Not sure if that is exactly true but I know for sure that Prof Borody who is a pioneer on Human Probiotic Infusion always uses sterile saline water and there has to be a reason.

To those of you who are thinking of trying this then please post with results as I am fascinated.

There is also an extremely long thread on this board (they are now on to part 3) where they are talking about DIY Human Probiotic Infusion otherwise known as Fecal Transplantation.

Lynn421 - don't wish to hijack this thread but your profile does not allow email. I want to ask you what you think of Natrens Probiotics and also the Ageless Nutrition Colorectal Recovery Program?

Post Edited (idkwia) : 7/6/2010 3:27:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/6/2010 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have done it twice so far over a period of four days. So far so good. Saline water--I may try that next time.
Posted 7/6/2010 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Some also use distilled water for enema solutions. Cheap, pure and plentiful from your local market.

Curious about saline water though, isn't 'saline' salt? Would that not STING if there were open ulcerations?
Posted 7/6/2010 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
I did it last night. I used distilled water and 1/2 packet of VSL3. I did it at 10 before I went to bed, slept fine and didn't have to go to the bathroom until 5 am. But when I had to go, I had to go! It definitely helped, I seemed to go more often today than I have been but it was more normal and today is the first time I haven't had any visible blood in awhile.

I think I am going to keep taking the probiotic orally daily like I was before and try and do the enema 2 or 3 times a week until I am in remission for awhile.

It was quite entertaining when I went to bed, my hubby was freaked out I was doing the enema in the bed and going to sleep. He kept saying, shouldn't you do this in the bathtub, how is it going to stay in, should we put plastic down in the bed? He was cracking me up, but besides what experiences he gets from me he is a rookie when it comes to the colon!
Posted 7/6/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Cupcake--
Do you also take rectal meds?
Could this be a possible replacement for rectal meds?
--Does Quincy have any thoughts on this?
Thanks-
L
Posted 7/6/2010 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Lynn4221 - did you see my earlier question to you please?
Posted 7/6/2010 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Idkwia--
I started a new thread specifically for your questions--
Check it out and we can talk Natren and Hydro C--
Thanks,
L
Posted 7/7/2010 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Lynn421 - I do not take any rectal meds, so this was an addition for me.
Posted 7/7/2010 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear about your good experience cupcakespinkgal. Hope you continue to improve.

I am not too concerned about the distilled versus tap versus filtered water thing. My take is that if it is clean enough to drink then it is clean enough for the colon!
Posted 7/7/2010 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
i'm so glad to read about people trying this! i suppose i shouldn't be surprised that we mostly think alike with our very similar situations... but since reading about the fecal transplant thing, i've been wondering why we wouldn't just have super-strong probiotic enemas. why not try it, really? if the fecal transplant from a healthy donor would reintroduce the good bacteria, why not just reintroduce the good bacteria alone via vsl3 or something similar?

i happen to have about a month's worth of vsl3 packets in my fridge and have been considering trying this out, but i'm in the middle of a flare and i read recently that in a fecal transplant situation, it is best to do it with minimal inflammation to increase the likelihood of absorption... i might wait a bit to see if the prednisone and cortifoam help to ease the inflammation, but maybe i should go ahead and mix myself a probiotic cocktail for direct deposit... it couldn't hurt to try, right? but if i do it while i'm on the steroids, i might not know to what i should attribute my success (if i have any). i think i'll ask my doctor tomorrow what he thinks. (and then do it anyway.) ;)

thanks for starting this thread. i hope to read about any and all future success in this endeavor. and i'll keep you updated on my progress, too.

be well.
Posted 7/7/2010 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
Early Bird--
If you talk to your GI about it, please post his thoughts.
Has anyone had a GI weigh in on the probiotic enema?
L
Posted 7/7/2010 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter's GI feels VSL helps and believes HPI makes good scientific sense. I haven't asked about a VSL enema but put two and two together and why not?
Posted 7/7/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Your daughter's GI is a keeper. Mine doesn't even know that VSL3 can be purchased over the counter, and seriously doubt that he knows about HPI. He is pretty clueless even about the more main stream "reserach-based" alternative treatments. Only good thing is that he has learnt not to push anything on me, and so I continue to use him as a consultant and for routine check-ups and perscriptions.

The research eveidence on probiotics and HPI is pretty compelling. I also think that the mucus reinforcement approach of the German group in which the patients are given delayed release phosphatidylcholine (PC) has great potential. Both of these approaches are based on sound theories. Of course, this is just my personal take.
Posted 7/7/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Berkuc - my understanding is that the point about using saline versus tap water has nothing to do with whether either is clean or not, it is to do with how the water reacts with the probiotics and allowing them to do their stuff. I just wish I could find where I read the information again.

Earlybirdspecial - the idea of using a man made probiotic like VSL#3 is certainly compelling and is a darn site easier than using feces. However, fecal infusion has to be the gold standard as it contains billions of a complete set of probiotic strains most of which haven't yet been isolated by medical science whereas VSL#3 only contians a few strains. Of course if man made probiotics work then great but perhaps feces being the real stuff is the gold standard. Nevetheless I think this thread is brilliant. 

Posted 7/7/2010 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
idkwia - Thanks for the clarification. I have done it thrice with no problem in retaining it througout the night. But I will look into saline for my next trial.
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