IBD Newbie,
VSL3 is something I tried before without good results, though others really have done well on it. There is an over the counter version, and a prescript
ion version.
After a ton of trial and error I found the probiotic that I personally felt was best for me was one called benebiotic, now called nexabiotic. Here is a link to the website http://nexabiotic.com/ I bought mine on amazon when I was taking it. I'm now on Remicade and things are in remission so I'm supplementing with less things right now.
If you are at a point of wanting ideas on supplements that could aid in his symptoms you could make a new post about
that, or ask in this thread. I personally found that turmeric root powder and L-glutamine powder both helped me. However, the turmeric was more for inflammation, and it sounds like your son doesn't have that... which is unusual.
I wish I had more answers as to if it's IBD or not... but I try not to comment too much on things I'm not pretty confident in knowing.
I hope this site gives you information that is useful. Always remember that there is a search area that you can search all previous posts on the site as a whole to find information from the past posts. I usually add in the words "Ulcerative Colitis" or "Colitis" along with the subject I'm researching since the site also has forums for 10 or 15 other diseases that seem to come up if you aren't more specific. In your case there is also a Crohn's forum, so that could also be input there.
I guess I'd also say that depending on where you are, if you aren't happy with the answers you're receiving that it's always a good option to head somewhere that has more in depth specific knowledge on IBD. My GI doctor told me that if I want a second opinion he'd rather have me go to a certain Chicago hospital or Mayo than just try other regular places around where I live.
Hope this helps.
Post Edited (Thoreau) : 8/30/2014 8:44:10 AM (GMT-6)