SCD, medications, and VSL#3

I just started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet yesterday, and, already, I'm feeling better; mentally, at least. I'm taking Apriso, which has Aspertame in it, so I'm thinking of asking my GI to change me to a different med, but Asacol has "lactose monohydrate" in it. My mother was allergic to aspertame, and while I'm not, I'd rather not be taking it, plus, I'm not sure how well the Apriso is working, because the little "balls" of medicine are coming out in my stool. I've looked up Lialda, and it doesn't seem to have anything in it that is on the illegal list, at least, that I can understand. I have an appointment to see my GI in August, not only to tell him that I've started the diet and want to change my meds, but because I want to ask him about VSL#3. Would it help, in addition to the diet? Or should I hold off for a bit before I try it, to see if the diet will work on its own?

I feel as though I'm rambling, which is odd, as I usually know exactly how I want to word things when I write them out. But this whole thing is a bit confusing, which might be the problem. I honestly am not sure what I want to say, or even if I know what to ask.

I agree that yogurt alone is probably not enough even if you can tolerate dairy (I can't). VSL #3 is a great choice that seems to work for a lot of people but you should experiment with other options as well because some combinations of bacterial strains work better for different people. Note that, technically, VSL #3 is illegal on SCD but then again some people don't do well even with the SCD legal strains (Acidophilus).

I am taking Natren currently but I've taken VSL #3 in the past both alone and in combination with Natren.

agt13girl,

Don't worry about the rambling... there is so much info, and some of it, especially if it's new to you, is difficult to discern - it's like a big puzzle and you have to figure out which pieces fit together nicely and which don't - and that can be overwhelming, especially when you have docs that just throw drugs at you.

IMO, yes, definitely add probiotics, something like VSL #3 - which has 450 billion active cultures, and by the way, is made for UC.

Good luck with the SCD, I know it's pretty rigorous, but I'm sure you'll find it makes a big difference.

If you're going to be ultra strict with the SCD, which it appears you are, then VSL 3 in packet form, flavored or unflavored, is out of the question. It has either maltose or maltodextrin in it. You'll have to go with the pills. 4 pills equal one packet, and thus the pills actually come out more expensive than the packets for the same product.

Best of luck with the SCD. I will say, however, that you need to be careful and make sure your GI is monitoring you.

agt13girl,

Do you mean with the VSL, or the diet?

With it all, IMO. You need to find a GI who you can talk to, who's wiling to discuss all your options with you and who you feel comfortable with asking questions about:

diet, VSL, meds, LDN, and anything else. Someone who isn't just throwing drugs at you. A GI who can monitor your progress and can try and anticipate your needs.

Those doctors are sometimes hard to find, but well worth it.

Good luck to you! Let us know how you make  out.

When I was on the SCD strictly, I took Custom Probiotics six strain powdered blend which I believe is SCD legal. I credit it with bringing me out of my initial severe year+ flare.

agt13girl said...
What is "Brick Cheese"? Is it a type of cheese, like cheddar, or is is just another name for cheese blocks?

Any cheese that comes in solid brick form. This would therefore exclude cream cheeses, mozzarella (the real stuff, which is supposed to come in wet balls), cheese spreads, feta, etc.

The essential idea is that brick cheeses form hard bricks because they've been left to cure for a long time, allowing cultures to digest the lactose, and rendering it SCD legal.

i would try cheddar or swiss cheese or any older cheese.

agt13girl,

Also you may want to look into not cow's cheeses - but rather sheep or goat cheeses. I tolerate those pretty well, whereas I cannot tolerate cow dairy; I think it's a different type of protein.

Manchego is a great sheep cheese - which comes in 6 month aged or 12 month aged and tastes delicious.