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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/9/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

Thinking of buying VSL#3. Is is much better for UC then the other Probiotics out there? Can't seem to find it in a pharmacy here in central Florida. Going to the Big Apple tomorrow to visit my Sister. Seems every Duane Reade in NYC carries it. Don't want to waste  my time or money if there is not a difference. My GI had no clue what it was. He gave me Florastor to try. There was no difference. I now have Primal Defence Ultra by Garden of life.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks Faith

Posted 7/9/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I notice minor improvements when I take Vsl regularly but that is difficult because it is rather pricey. I have been able to get a prescription for the vsl#3DS (double strength) from my doctor and my insurance covers it (but still with a high copay) so maybe that is something worth investigating. A local pharmacy should be able to order it in for you. I live in Florida as well and pick it up at my local pharmacy as a prescription (they don't carry the regular kind).
Posted 7/9/2012 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Could order it. Thought since I'm going tomorrow I could just pick it up.
Posted 7/9/2012 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I think the VSL capsules or the single strength sachets may be OK for maintence and general tuneup of the GI tract. It is my opinion that only the prescription VSL#3DS can make a difference in during an active flare. Both of the clinical trials that showed a benefit, used a protocol of 4 DS sachets a day for 8 weeks. thats 3600 billion. A single capsule is only 225 billion, and a sachet is only 450 billion. (the DS sachet is 900 billion).

I decided t try the 8-week protocol. After the 3rd week, I have adjusted to only 2 DS sachet in the morning with a bit of protein/amino-acid drink. Once or twice a week I will take a 3rd packet at lunch or bedtime. While I initially noticed marked improvement in stool and reduced pain, this benefit tapered down after a week or so, and the dose of 4 DS sachets was making me a little gassy. Anyway, I will try this 1800 billion a day for longer than 8 weeks and see what happens. I have not gotten remission or one nice morning BM, but I did get reduced BM, more semi-formed BM, and virtually no bleeding. I feel a lot better too - so do not discount the energy drain of leaky gut. I think I will maintain on 1 DS sachet because I have coverage.

I am doing this in concert with Lialda 3x daily and some amino-acid supplement. Also cut out excess sugars and up'ed the fish oil and Vit-D. I used rectal meds to combat strong urgency, discomfort, and bleeding, but have now tapered to 1-2 weekly. My real hope is that every little improvement lets the Lialda work in more and more of my left and sigmoid colon. During the 1st 18 months of treatment with only Lialda, it did clear my right and transverse colon and the very top of my left colon. I know the Lialda works if it can just stay in my sigmoid colon long enough.
Posted 7/9/2012 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Give it a shot. For me, it seemed to have made matters worse than better. I stopped after a few failed attempts. Different strokes for different folks - I hope you have better luck!
Posted 7/9/2012 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I see alot of people taking VSL!!!Wonder how it could be worse? On Humira now, not flaring as bad. Still using all meds oral and rectal. Need to get into remission. Since I started on Humira, meds seem to be working better. I guess I'll give VSL3 a try.
Posted 7/9/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I never miss my 2 sachets of VSL #3 DS, my Asacol, Omega and my cup of rice. This combination, though simple,  hs been my savior.
Posted 7/9/2012 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
What is VSL#3?   A probiotic?  I have seen it mentioned here.  Is this a prescription?

Any info would be great.  I went to sprouts and bought a probiotic.  Expensive and not sure if it's working.

Posted 7/10/2012 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yes vsl3 ds is a prescription pro biotic. It is working great for me. My dr. Never heard of it and the pharmacy special ordered it. Try it it can't hurt. No side effects like the nasty drugs have. turn
Posted 7/10/2012 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I would give it a try, why not? I tried it and didn't see any improvement. Now I don't take probiotics and I am thankful because they are very expensive. I do eat a lot of yogurt and fermented foods which contain beneficial bacteria.
Posted 7/10/2012 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
Does it pay to wait and get the VSL DS instead of the over the counter strength? My GI has no idea what it is!
Posted 7/10/2012 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have decent insurance!
Posted 7/10/2012 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
If you use 2 packets of the regular VSL#3 is it the same as one vSL#3DS?
Posted 7/10/2012 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
yes 2x450 billion = 900 billion. make sure the OTC stuff has been shipped refrigerated and no reason to believe probiotics are dead. I know my pharmacy handles like other refrigerated drugs.

Someone was talking about a homemade yogurt culture made with VSL. How does that work? I would not ming growing some of my own to save some $$$.
Posted 7/13/2012 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I saw my doctor yesterday.  I asked about Vsl#3 and he said he has patients taking it but does not write a prescription for it.

Do you need a prescription for it???????????   I was very surprised when he told me that.  He also told me it's very expensive.

Posted 7/13/2012 7:36 PM (GMT 0)

I need help said...
I saw my doctor yesterday.  I asked about Vsl#3 and he said he has patients taking it but does not write a prescription for it.

Do you need a prescription for it???????????   I was very surprised when he told me that.  He also told me it's very expensive.

You need a prescription if you want the DS (Double Strength). 900 billion per sachet

Posted 7/14/2012 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
    I don't know the dose my friend takes but she is doing great on it and Rowasa enemas!  Her GI doctor took her off 6MP which kept her in remission for ten years.  She flared almost immediately after going off the 6MP.  Thank God the VSL#3 and Rowasa are working for her.
Posted 7/14/2012 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
$68.00 for 30 packets. Could have bought VSL#3 at any pharmacy here in NYC. Still thinking about it. It's not a lot of money if it works. Have one more day to make up my mind before returning back to FL.
Posted 12/6/2012 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking vsl for many years, either 1 or 2 packets per day. It was very effective for IBS and other auto-immune issues. At the beginning of this year it was briefly covered by my insurance, so I tried the full dose that is safe, as per the company, 4 DS per day. It was miraculous! The lesions on my face which were attributed to Sarcoidosis, completely disappeared. Unfortunately, my insurance co. has stopped covering it and I went down to 1/2 single sachet per day. Now I have new problems, dehydration causing muscle cramps and heart problems, all related to the IBS.

Does anyone know of a dr in south florida or New York City who is well versed in gut flora to test my gut properly, so hopefully I can switch to another, less expensive product? Also, who here gets it covered and which insurance companies are doing it? For me, it would be worth it to switch. Thanks so much.
Posted 12/6/2012 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Indie: Are you taking any pred? That can cause the symptoms you mentioned. I don't know about docs in Florida or New York but you may want to check out this article:

http://news.yahoo.com/tapping-citizen-scientists-novel-gut-151203821.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CYX7MBQOV0Ai1_QtDMD
Posted 12/6/2012 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
VSL#3 is the ONLY probiotic that has proven to be beneficial to those suffering from UC. Go to their site; you can read all about it.
Posted 12/6/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Having gone to their site, I was wondering what the difference is between the 30 pack at the top or the 60 count at the bottom:

http://shop.vsl3.com/vsl3-c2.aspx

is it just that the first one is powder and the second is capsules?
Posted 12/7/2012 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
anyone??

I'm going to buy them, I just want to know which is the best deal or the most important to take
Posted 12/7/2012 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
If you have insurance VSL#3DS might me covered. It was cheaper to take that one. Sometimes I only take half of a packet which is equivalent to the reg VSL#3.
Double strength works well for me.
Posted 12/7/2012 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Ok. I just looked it up. At the top, each packet contains 450 billion cultures times 30 packets and costs $86. The capsules each contain 112.5 billion times 60 and costs $52. The packets would contain twice as many cultures for a little less than twice the cost, the better overall deal. However, it kind of depends on how you plan on taking the stuff. It is a real pain in the butt to have partial satchets laying around and then you have to go through the trouble of mixing the stuff with something before ingesting whereas the capsules you can better control how much you take by deciding how many caplets you want to take. Many complain about the taste so it is easier just to chuck down capsules and be done with it. I prefer the capsules for those reasons. When ordering you get discounts for multiple purchases. Just check that you are ordering one two pack or one three pack and you get the discounts.
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