Starting VSL3 today!

Just found out my insurance company is going to cover the DS rx for VSL3. YAY! One more step in between my guts and infusions (pre-auth for remicade is in though...)

Any suggestions on what to take it with? I'm tempted to try water, as I'll be consuming some extra calories for the day.

I'm on 40mg of pred now and starting a 5mg/wk taper to 25 mgs this coming Friday. Too soon? I can't get off them quick enough (first time working through pred brain)

I read that 3 days the guts will start to receive the benefits of the VSL but it does take up to 20 days for the full effect. I'm assuming I'll have some massive bloating. Anything else to expect?

Thanks to everyone who shares their experiences!

VSL #3 tastes kinda gross in just plain water. When I took it, I chugged it down pretty quickly that way. Others here have mentioned mixing it with juices or other things with more flavor. VSL didn't work for me.

Why do you suggest starting small and going big? I'm doing 2 ds packets in the am and then 2 ds in the pm. She wanted me to start high and then move backwards.

The capsules are cheaper though my insurance company too, but the copay is the same regardless and my provider wanted me to do the packets as she was more familiar. It is the same thing though??

Yay for gross mixes!

Hi there-

I started VSL #3 packets a few months and I have had great success! I started taking 1 packet per day (1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night) and I noticed a positive difference the very next day and I have not had any bloating or other side effects. After experimenting with water, apple juice and applesauce, I have found that mixing half a packet into about 4 to 6 oz of Kefir drink works best for me. I whisk it around with a fork and I barely notice that it's there. I have recently switched to the pills because they were cheaper, and I have started to see a little bit of blood and mucus creeping back in, so I think I will be headed back to the packets. Good luck to you!

In Canada Ferring has a pharmacist on staff - you can call (416 642 0075) for advice on how/when to take it (very nice lady). Other than water you can also take it with almond milk or juices or even with apple sauce (did not try this last option) - it all depends how well you tolerate the different liquids. And yes, start it slowly with 1/2 sachet.

Had mixed results with VSL#3 - ended up very sensitive and intolerant to almost everything during my last flare, had to stop it and slowly re-introduce it after a break, taking now 1 sachet per day plus one more other probiotic (Nova x2).

I mix mine with apple sauce.