VSL#3

I just received my first box of VSL#3 capsules and took two this afternoon. I am curious to see if anyone else is taking this particular probiotic and how it has helped or not helped any of you. I am REALLY hoping for some great results as I am still flaring pretty badly. I am still taking 60mg of prednisone, 4 Asacol 3x a day, 2 Digestive Advantage probiotics for Crohn's & Colitis, etc etc etc. I did read that the effectiveness of VSL#3 could be hindered by steroids and I am worried that I am wasting a ton of time, money and hope on this because my insurance doesn't cover the product and I'm stuck paying full price for it. Oh yay! To top it off, my GI didn't say one way or the other if the effectiveness would be hindered by the steroids so I guess I am going to have to give her a call in the morning to see for sure or if anyone else out there has had the same question and knows the answer, please let me know. I also started the SCD Diet and have been adhering to it pretty well but still have no noticeable results. I guess it's going to take time especially since I'm flaring. This flare tapered down a bit since I started the high doses of steroids...I went from about 10 stools a day to about 5 or 6 depending on the day. I seem to notice that I go more in the morning and evening and while I have a high dose of steroids in my system, I tend to be fine for the afternoon but sometimes will only pass bloody mucus. Wow! How great is it that I can actually talk about this to other people who understand?! Sometimes I think I bore my husband to tears and I think he gets tired of me complaining but I guess it's just my way of venting because quite frankly, I DO NOT want to live this way FOREVER. I have already considered doing the ileal pouch if my colonoscopy August 23 comes up clear for Crohn's. I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative pancolitis but the GI wants to be sure it's not more involved because I do seem to have A LOT of belly issues on top of the UC. Oh it just keeps getting better and better, I tell you. I will be sure to post what happens and what the results are. I know she's doing more than 30 biopsies. The first and only colonoscopy I had was in February when I was in the hospital and that was only 6 biopsies. So I guess we will see. My insides and I just aren't getting along tonight at all unfortunately. Looks like I am going to have a long night ahead of me. Also was curious if anyone is on pain medications SPECIFICALLY for UC? I currently have Tylenol with Codeine, Darvocet and Vicodin and if needed my doctor was going to write a script for Perkicet (however you spell it). I am not allowed to take any NSAIDS due to the excessive anemia I suffer when I flare. I just bleed CONSTANTLY....every single bowel movement. So these are the drugs that I am prescribed depending on the intensity of the pain involved. Just REALLY REALLY CURIOUS if there's something else out there that I could be taking for the pain.

The nurse at my GI doc's office always seems to call in VSL#3 450 Billion instead of VSL#3DS 900 Billion and the prescription gets canceled because the insurance says it is not covered (since it is over the counter).Once she calls it in right, everything is copacetic.

From the studies I have seen, only mega dose VSL#3 can induce remission, but I could be wrong.

I was diagnosed with UC thirteen years ago and after changing my diet, I improved drastically. That said, I still never felt totally "back" and to keep things under control, I take a mesalamine suspension enema before bed. My GI said it wasn't a good idea to use them every night, but I'd rather do that than take the mesalamine orally. This past December I came across Dr. David Klein's book/diet for UC, but I just couldn't live that way the rest of my life, and the raw diet caused symptoms to worsen (blood for the first time in years). I tweaked his diet to what I thought I could handle, but have occasional blood in the one stool I have each day. So, about a month ago, I finally tried the SCD diet and although I have good days and bad days, it seems to make a lot of sense. I think the elimination of grains/potatoes, make s a huge difference.

Finally, I heard a lot about the VSL #3 product a few years back, but as afraid to try something new. Well, I decided I had nothing to lose and ordered it--I took my first packet tonight, this after having stomach pains almost the whole day. The pain immediately left and I feel remarkably better--I didnt have any gas or bloating and plan on taking two packets a day for the next week..I will post my results...

The VSL #3 has been great thus far, aside from some occasional abdominal pain during the day--I started at 2 packets a day and moved to three yesterday--even though it's very early, I have no bleeding or mucous

cslewis,
Any updates on your VSL#3 experience? I am ordering some today and am curious if you've seen continued improvement?

Hey!

I started 1 week ago and the emergency bathroom trips has ceased! :)
I got "almost" no blood, before I had loads everyday.

I go for:
VSL#3 Double dose
boswellia
fish oil
liqurice extract
half way SCDiet

So much better really really hope it stayes this way. or improves :)

VSL 3 did not keep me from going into a flare. I could only afford one packet a day though. I switched to Mutaflor and that made me pass too much gas and mucous. Maybe I was flaring, but if so, it wasn't stopping it. So now I switched to Align cause it's much cheaper, but I don't know if it's doing anything.

Thrilled that I got the VSL#3 DS packets. They are in fact covered by my insurance. I currently take 2 packets daily and have significant improvement...ALTHOUGH, I did also start Remicade treatments. I had my first September 3rd and got for my second this Friday, September 17th. I was very impressed that after the first treatment, LITERALLY THE NEXT DAY, I started to have solid bowel movements and went from having multiple movements a day with a ton of blood and mucus to 1-2 movements a day with NO blood or mucus. I am however very concerned about the adverse side effects of Remicade. I thought that after the first treatment I would be a bit more comfortable but instead I find that I am more apprehensive than ever. Nervous Nervous Nervous.

my doc ordered me the VSL#3-DS (20 day supply). it wasn't covered by my insurance but the pharmacy said it'll be $24. i thought it was more expensive. does this sound right to anyone?

Sure they didn't mean $124......? That does sound cheap. When I was buying OTC, a box of the regular was $80.

Just got this from the Manufacturer of VSL#3. Asked them about taking it -- when, with what, if I could take it with Prednisone etc...

"You can take VSL#3 at anytime during the day and when it is convenient for you. Do not take VSL#3 at the same time of your medication.

You can take it with yogurt or apple sauce or any cold non-carbonated drinks.

For ulcerative colitis we suggest 1 or 2 sachets/day"

They are saying go ahead, just not at the same time. You should be taking ALL of your Prednisone in the morning. Take the VSL at or after suppertime.

I mix the VSL sachets with applesauce, or watered-down juice (Orange, cranberry, apple,whatever I can tolerate and am happy drinking at the moment) or.... chocolate milk. I've mixed it with yogurt and have put it on ice cream, also.