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VLS#3 stimulates D?

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Posted 3/31/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I just took one pack of VSL#3 after drinking Ensure. In less than an hour I ran to the bathroom...didn't make it on time:( and it all came out in liquid D.  Having a bad flare right now and trying to switch over to an Esure diet for a few days.  I do notice on a normal day that I have increased cramping when taking VSL#3.  It states on the package that it can cause gas and I think it's the increase in gas that simulates my urgent movements.

Has anyone else had this problem with VSL#3?  I'm thinking I need to stopprobiotics all-together or downgrade to a less potenant one.

Any suggestions?

Posted 3/31/2011 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have not had that problem with VSL#3 but perhaps it is such a strong probiotic that it can cause problems if you are not used to it. I like mixing it with soluble fiber like psyllium and kefir, with blueberries or apple sauce. Soluble psyllium fiber does not encourage diarrhea.

Another possibility might be the Ensure. Several of its ingredients listed here like carrageenan, corn syrup, etc. would definitely give me gastro symptoms

WATER, CORN MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR (SUCROSE), CORN SYRUP, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, COCOA POWDER (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SOY OIL, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CANOLA OIL;LESS THAN 0.5% OF: CORN OIL, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SOY LECITHIN, MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SALT (SODIUM CHLORIDE), SODIUM CITRATE, CARRAGEENAN, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, ASCORBIC ACID, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, DL-ALPHA-TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ZINC SULFATE, NIACINAMIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, COPPER SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, FD&C RED #3, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, THIAMINE CHLORIDE HYDROCHLORIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID, BIOTIN, SODIUM SELENATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, SODIUM MOLYBDATE, PHYLLOQUINONE, CYANOCOBALAMIN, AND VITAMIN D3.
Posted 3/31/2011 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
I never had that reaction to VSL#3 but you have to pay attention to your gut. Perhaps a different probiotic would be better for you. I've had plenty of bad reactions to other supplements that people here take daily and say help them. Everyone's gut seems different.

Frankly I wish I could find a less expensive probiotic than VSL#3. I tried others in the past and they didn't seem to do much whereas VSL#3 "seems" to be positive for me, and I don't like to change what's working.
Posted 3/31/2011 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
I suspect your problem lies with the ensure, but it could also be the VSL.  I can't drink ensure because I know it will cause diarrhea.  Also the maltose in the VSL can be causing diarrhea. 
Posted 3/31/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
CORN MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR (SUCROSE), CORN SYRUP,

The top three ingredients in Ensure would cause D in me. 

Posted 4/1/2011 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I too noticed an increase in BMs and urgency when using VSL #3 (though stool was not diarrhoea). This especially happened when I attempted to increase my dosage from 1 sachet to 2. I also experienced more gas too. This didn't happen when I was on 1 sachet per day or when I was taking a less potent probiotic. I have since stopped probiotics altogether.
Posted 4/1/2011 3:39 AM (GMT 0)

blueclassring said...
CORN MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR (SUCROSE), CORN SYRUP,
The top three ingredients in Ensure would cause D in me.

Bingo. Neighbors gave me ensure when I got out of the hospital. Yeach I never drank it after I saw the ingredients list.
Posted 4/1/2011 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I started making my yogurt out of VSL#3 just over a month ago and within one half an hour of having my first serving I had diarrhea. I hadn't had diarrhea in a very long time and I had changed no other aspects of my diet. Another half an hour later I had diarrhea again and then in another hour I had diarrhea yet again. Since then I have not had diarrhea. It was really strange to experience diarrhea so swiftly after eating the yogurt since it obviously could not have traveled to my far end that quickly.
Posted 4/1/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)

I'm up to drinking 6 Ensures per day and the only problem I had wit it was after taking the VSL#3.  I always felt a bit bloated after taking the VSP#3 on a normal diet too.  I've stopped using the VSL#3 for now.

Tap....just a thoguht you may be sensitve to yogart. I just had some test done and found out I have moderate sensitivty to bananas, egg whites, and yougart.  I was told to avoid these items for 90 days then get retested.  Yea...and I have increased my bananas and yogart (Kiefer) intake due to my UC.  Intersting how these things are working against me! Hopefully it will just be a temporary thing! I also have low tolerance to gluten and wheat, so I'm on a strict gluten free diet fro now too.

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