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VSL#3DS Probiotics

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/18/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi folks, On this forum I've seen mentioned the prescription probiotic called VSL#3DS. Anyone try it? I currently take a high quality probiotic; HMF Superpowder by Genestra. Going thru quite a flare right now - can't believe how weak I was today - totally bedridden and it was a gorgeous day. :(
Posted 8/18/2010 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken VSL#3DS for several years. I can't say for sure that it has helped limit my symptoms, but I think it has. Colitis is unpredictable and it is hard to correlate the effects of different things on it.

"Primal defense" (another probiotic) had a much more clear-cut impact than VSL#3DS.
Posted 8/18/2010 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for mentioning the Primal Defense. I looked it up - solid!
Posted 8/18/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello UNiG,  You might want to look into Renew Life-Ultimate Flora Critical Care Probiotic .  Many of us here are using this one and for me it has worked great.  I take 2 a day morning and evening on an empty stomach.  When flaring I have taken up to 4 per day.  Each capsule has 50billion live cutures and if you are in the US they make one with 80billion live cultures per capsule.
Posted 8/18/2010 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I've taken VSL for about 16 months and the DS strength since January - I just upped that to two packets per day, along with cortenemas, and averted a flare.....(so I don't know which helped more, the VSL or the enemas...)
In the first few months I'd started VSL, I was chasing a minor but persistant flare, and I stopped the VSL twice to see if I could get by without it - within 2 days the bleeding resumed, and stopped again within a few days when I restarted the VSL, so I guess I have to say it works for me.
Posted 8/19/2010 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I use VSL#3DS. I am very fortunate in that it is covered by my health care insurance. I have used it in conjunction with a rather strict diet that is pretty consistent with the SCD diet, with a few modifications. I noticed with the initial dosage of VSL#3 that I did have some increased gas and an increase/change of odor of the stool. After a week, this really settled and I have enjoyed a wonderful remission. I use the VSL#3 twice to three times daily and mix it with plain homemade yogurt. Good luck.

34 yo male physician
Diagnosed Severe Pancolitis 10/07.
Currently in remission with SCD, VSL#3DS, Curcumin
Posted 8/19/2010 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
It worked like a miracle over and over for me.

Then their supplier ran out so I switched pharmacies.

It failed to help twice which struck me as odd. So everyone is out of it but this one chain and theirs seems inneffective, I switched back yesterday.

I got thru my 4 hour interview and lunch with a good company today no problemo.

Primal defense did nothing for me, but I have been seeing endorsements of it here lately.

Intestimine wrecked me. The yogurt with Bifodus Regularis is bad news as well and have seen IBS/IBD people saying they lost all control of their bowels from taking it.

Post Edited (aguywithuc) : 8/18/2010 10:19:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2010 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I usually have gas out the wazoo. I often wonder if the VSL#3 makes it worse. My wife is really getting sick of it, and of course having constant gas is really uncomfortable, especially with an inflammed rectum! Sometimes when I first wake up in the morning, I have to pass a huge about of wind, enough to wake my kids up if they are sleeping with us. It's hard to differentiate whether it is just from the colitis or if the probiotics are mostly the cause, or at least making it worse. Anyone else have this problem while taking probiotics?
Posted 8/19/2010 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've not had any gas from probiotics.... I've been on PB8, Digestive Advantage, ULtimate Flora CC, VSL and VSLDS.... I do get gas from flaring and also from Rowasa.....
We're all different.
And we react to the different probiotics in different ways, too. Frustrating, no "one remedy fits all...."
Posted 8/19/2010 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotics have never helped my UC, but they have helped my IBS. One VSL DS packet usually lasts me 2-3 days. (I hate the flavor!)
Posted 8/19/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I used to get terrible, painful gas which I finally figured out was from my probiotic.  I now take it at night, two hours after eating anything, right before bed.  I no longer have the problem.  ______________________ Female, 44, Vancouver BC   DX: UC (Pancolitis) as of Jan2009.  Symptoms first began June2008.  Currently in remission. Current Meds:   None Previous Meds:   - Asacol 800 mg (1 pill x 4 daily), Jan-Mar2009  -Ferrous sulfate, Jan2009-Apr2010  Supplements: Probiotic, cod liver oil, Multi-vitamins, Calcium-Magnesium, L-glutamine   
Posted 8/19/2010 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with taking them at night on an empty stomach. I would get lots of gas if I took them during the day, regardless of what kind.

The worst offender is yogurt, however...I've now stopped eating it again...nice snack after supper, but wow. Owie.

q
Posted 9/17/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I absolutely love VSL# DS.  It's the one thing that finally put me into remission and I was able to stop using all my prescription drugs while on it.  I was in remission for 22 days, ran out, starting using a 100 million probiotic and am starting to have symptoms again.  My doc just called in another prescription for me and I'm so excited to pick it up again because of how great it made me feel!
Posted 9/17/2013 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Tried VSL #3 and Ultimate Flora (no DS in Canada). I don't really know if any of them helped or not, so wasn't worth the money to keep on going.
Posted 12/9/2013 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
I had UC for 15 years before it got so bad I had to have a colectomy/illeostomy. Went through many same meds. thought I would be off pred for my life, but 2 years later started having other autoimmune related conditions occur. Currently on humira and imuran and small pred for some form of +ana related conditions. More to the point on this thread; my 20 year old son came down with severe UC, ITP (look it up), Evan's syndrome, and pre-lupus all at once 2 years ago. Was in hospital 4 times. last time for 20 days; lost 40 pounds in one month and came an inch short of having his colon removed. Had his spleen removed instead to control bleeding and raise platelets. He started humira and VSL#3 6 months ago and has been feeling great, except for some flare weeks that seem to coincide with final exams. Tried remicade, rituximab, many IVIGs, huge IV doses of prednisone.
If you have not tried the VSL, DO. he swears by it. Yes, it is not cheap, but neither is living miserably. If you have not tried humira either, DO.
We never suspected UC could be passed on, but it was, along with other medical conditions he is suffering from. They didn't have approval for humira for UC 20 years ago when I had UC. Or many other things back then. I don't regret the collectomy. Not a big deal. Feel great, can eat anything. If I knew it would stop the misery of UC I would have done it much sooner.
Try the VSL!
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