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Any advice for new VSL#3 DS taker?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/26/2013 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
My GI recommended I try out a prescription of VSL #3 DS. It comes in packets, and I am prescribed two per day. I figured I'd give it a shot and see if it helps.

I just mixed my first packet into a glass of water and it tasted okay (not terrible and not good). How do you take it any recommendations?

I figured I'd take one per day for the first week just to make sure it doesn't hit me too hard. After that I'd go to the two packets per day. Do you do them both at once or split them up?
Posted 6/26/2013 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
I mix it in with some coconut are twice a day. Once when I wake up and once right before bed. The taste is not too bad. It helps to refresh the pallet after the aloe Vera liquid which tastes like mushy grass..
Posted 6/26/2013 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Well I am also taking VSL #3DS twice a day with Zeco Coconut water. before that I was taking VSL #3 at least 3x a day along with Non-dairy Saccharromyces Bolardii+Mos pro-biotic, Theralac (bio-Replenshing pro-biotic), these are the expensive but I guess helping me a lot since I am newly diagnosed guy in my four weeks. also following SCD diet so feeling much better and it surprises the doctor as well since i am taking control of this unwanted disease and managing it while learning from folks on this board and others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diagnosed in May 31st, 2013 - 42 Yr old male with severe Pancolitis.

Current Med and other Remedies
Currently Taking medicine as listed below.
1. Prednisone 60mg (tapering now on 30mg)
2. Asacol 800HD 2tab 3x a day
3. Canasa 1000mg (bed time)
4. Omeperazol 40mg 2x a day
5. Lopermide 5mg (2-3 tab 3x a day or as needed
6. VSL#3 DS-(20 Pack) – Prescription Only pro-biotic
7. Non-dairy Saccharromyces Bolardii+Mos pro-biotic,
8. Theralac (bio-Replenshing pro-biotic),
9. Vitamin D,
10. Omega 3 fish oil, and
12 Vitamin B12
13. lorazepam ( for sleep)

Past Med.....
Anucort
Lialda
Rowasa ( couldn;t hold after injecting even for a second)
Posted 6/26/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have done very well with VSL#3 DS. I currently take two packets in the morning either with applesauce or kefir. They help to hide the taste. I was lucky that my insurance company covered the DS and since my prescription is written for 4 packets a day, it lasts me two months.

Also, stick with it for at least a month or two before deciding whether it is helping you are not. I believe that some come off it too early or do not use enough to make a difference. Without getting a prescription for it, it is almost too costly to take the retail version in enough quantity for a potential therapeutic dose.

I agree with you that you should start small and work your way up to the four packets per day. When I took four packets, I split it up into two doses but I think it would be fine to take all four at once too.
Posted 6/26/2013 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I had a problem with VSL#3. It contains maltose and the maltose was giving me diarrhea. I do believe it was helping the UC, but at the same time it was causing D.
Posted 6/26/2013 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I use any kind of juice. Oj is good. Cranberry is really good. I do smoothies. Also v8 fusions are good. I take two packets at once.
Posted 6/26/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the suggestions. Mixing it with either apple sauce or fruit juice sound like the most appealing options to me. Several of you mentioned coconut water, which I've never had before might be worth trying sometime..
Posted 6/26/2013 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Coconut water has uncountable benefits, whilst also being a tasty treat.
Posted 6/26/2013 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
When I took it I mixed it with yogurt. Mmmmm
Posted 6/26/2013 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
vsl tastes delicious!! it's my favorite probiotic. I just mix it with plain water so I can get that pure taste.
Posted 6/28/2013 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
Joanna, I had no idea it tasted good.

And all this time I've been making myself a "cocktail" of VSL + s. boulaardi + slippery elm, yum.

Posted 6/28/2013 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
bananagirl, we must have very different ideas of what tastes good. :-) I have to mix mine in something that masks the taste.
Posted 6/28/2013 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Haha i guess i just like that fresh bacteria taste. The best, hands up, is renew life's packets that come in a five day or seven day amount.
Posted 6/28/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I mix mine with apple sauce.  I first tried mixing with water and it was disgusting.
Posted 6/28/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Regular strength VSL capsules are never covered by insurance but if that is an option if insurance is not an issue. You just down a capsule and taste is not an issue. It's also easier to control portion size instead of taking partial packets.
Posted 6/28/2013 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am one of those people that think VSL powder tastes just horrible!  I think it smells horrible too (reminds of throw-up smell, bleh).  I take 1/2 packet, twice a day - so in total 1 packet a day. I feel its really helped me.

I mix one of my doses with a protein shake (banana, a little milk, chocolate protein powder, a tiny bit of peanut butter) and I can't taste it at all.  I mix the 2nd dose with Gatorade (G2), grape or fruit punch. I can taste it in there but its far better than having it in water, at least for me anyway.  And I'm able to tollerate G2 Gatorade really well so it works for me.

Posted 6/28/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
To my tastebuds, straight VSL #3 DS in a glass of water tastes something like spoiled milk. Like the container of milk is just a couple days past it's expiration date, yet you really hate to pour it down the drain, so you take a sip anyways just to see how bad it is, and man it just tastes awful lol. So, I don't know how anybody can say it tastes good.

My insurance company covered the VSL #3 ds (with some real pissing, moaning, and delaying tactics employed by them). It had a $45 copay charge when I picked up a month's supply (3 boxes of 20 packets) from the pharmacy which seemed pretty expensive to me. As my other prescriptions are all $10 a piece to pick up, and this is the most pricey of the bunch by far. I guess that's better than paying for the whole thing out of pocket though, so I can't complain too much though.

So far, things are going well. I haven't felt any adverse effects from the VSL (no bloating or anything), and I haven"t seen any improvements either. Although, I am quite sure it is way to early to pass judgement on it, give it a month at least.
Posted 6/28/2013 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
iPoop, you might want to see if your doctor will write you a prescription for 4 packets a day instead of the 2 packets a day next time. You could still take only two packets but your supply would last two months and save you money. My co-pay is $50 but since it lasts two months it works out to only $25 per month which is not bad.

Of course, my doctor had never heard of VSL before so he had to ask me how to write the prescription. It is funny that we seem to know almost as much as our doctors in terms of our options since we put so much time into research, asking questions of other people with UC, etc.
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