Adding Probiotic While Flaring: Gas on Fire or Good Idea?

I'm currently taking Colazal, 3 pills x 3 times per day, for about 11 days now, plus tapering prednisone, currently at 30mg. We've previously tried two rounds of Rowasa and both times a very bad reaction to it (worsening of UC symptoms) so we have stopped Rowasa as of 3 days ago.

My UC symptoms are improving - the past two days I've seen no blood, plus mucus is almost gone, frequency is reduced, and urgency is gone, though I am still having some painful straining when "going." But I'm keeping a careful food and symptom diary and starting to see consistent improvement overall.

I'd like to add VSL#3 to help regulate me (I've always, always been on the constipated side, even before UC, all my life) and also to help push me into remission if that's possible. My GI is aware that I may be starting them, and I think probiotics are a good idea in general.

However, I'm not 100% yet and very scared to rock the boat - I was still seeing blood as of a few days ago. Is starting VSL while flaring a bad idea? Should I wait until I'm in remission to add it? Or has anyone tried while flaring and seen an improvement?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and advice!

I second adding a probiotic. I have tried VSL in the past during a flare and it seems to help regulate the gut bacteria balance. I started with the pills at first then once I got used to it, I switched to the powder and I feel it has helped. I am currently in a mild to moderate flare and on flagyl so I want to get as much good bacteria in there as possible. I would add it when you are also not adding alot of different things so you can gauge if its the VSL or something else. Good luck

There are clinical studies on VSL 3 + meds (balsalaside which is the generic of what you are taking) which showed that combined treatment led to higher remission rates, reduced symptoms and faster response than meds alone. You can google the studies.

I would start slow since folks used mega doses of VSL 3 in research studies. By the way, in research studies there were no adverse events aside from bloating I believe.

Hi...this won't be your only flare, so setting up things that can help you now and in the future will be worth trying.

There are many probiotics....vsl is a good start.

Keep us posted on how you do on it.

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