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VSL3 - how long to help?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/9/2013 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
Just splashed out on 3 boxes of vsl3 sachets. Taken them for 2 days so far - 2 per day. My son's 21, had severe UC. He is well but going to the loo with urgency and D around 8 times per day. So if the vsl is going to help how long should we give it? Thanks for replies as usual.
Posted 8/9/2013 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
When I got them for my son, the forum advised to go easy and increase the dose gradualy over a few days, as the new army arriving in the bowel can cause a fair bit of action.
After a week he was up to 2 x sachets a day and he had firm stools by this time and going about 3 times a day.
Posted 8/9/2013 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks - I've given him 2 straightaway - I waited from morning till evening before giving him the second to check there were no problems and he seems fine. Do you think I should drop back then increase? How bad was your son Antiflare?
Posted 8/9/2013 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I think the main reason to go slowly in the beginning is that the VSL can increase gas and bloating severly if taking too much too soon. You often need to work up to the higher doses. If you don't seem to be having that problem at all then it may not be necesary to go slow.
Posted 8/9/2013 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Is it the capsules or the sachets you are giving him? And if it is the sachets are they DS (double strength)?
But as gary said, if he is not in any discomfort then you are fine.
My boy gets up to 4 normal strength sachets per day, that's 18,000 billion. But that dose was at the start and after things had been good we dropped down to 2 normal strength sachets per day (9,000 billion), he goes back up to 4 per day at the first sign of any changes in his movements.

Steve
Posted 8/9/2013 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Franny, forgot to say my son has pan colitis, at its worst times he was going to the toilet every 10 minutes and that was mainly gas and blood.
Solid now and averaging 3 times daily.
Posted 8/10/2013 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Antiflare - we just have the normal vsl3 sachets not the prescription ones. So you give 4 per day when in a flare? So you double the dose suggested on the pack? I suppose that brings it up to the prescription dose - expensive though! Thanks for your advice you've been really helpful.
Posted 8/10/2013 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
We built up to 4 sachets per day and continued with that until he was doing good, then we dropped to 2 per day as a maintenance. First sign of any looseness we go up to 4 per day until the threat passes.
I choose to go up to 4 per day as that was the dose that the positive tests were done at (18,000 billion)
We only get a prescription for 2 per day, we buy the rest.
For us they seem to be a god send. Good luck!
Posted 8/10/2013 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
Antiflare are you in the UK? We are. We are going to ask our gp for a prescription but don't know if we will get one. Probably not! Just wondered if you are how you managed to persuade him/ her?
Posted 8/10/2013 10:10 AM (GMT 0)
Yes sure am, we are in Scotland, and our GI offered it to us. Hopefully it's not one of those post code lottery things and you get them ok.
Posted 8/10/2013 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks for that - will let you know. GI says yes but says gp has to prescribe as GI in London at ST Marks and we live in Eastbourne. So we'll see. You've been a real help x
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