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VSL #3 DS ordering question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/14/2012 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi-
Checked my insurance coverage to get price for VSL#3 and was asked the following question:

How many INDIVIDUAL USES of VSL #3 DS 20'S 900B CELL PACKET do you receive each time you fill this prescription?
Don't know what to answer.

I find the "20's 900B cell packet" wording confusing.
What do you actually get in a prescription order?

Before I ask my GP to prescribe, I would like to sound knowledgeable about how much I need.
I can get a 90-day supply from Express-scripts (mail order).
Thanks for any help you can offer.
:-)
Posted 1/14/2012 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
900B I think means 900 Billion organisms? I believe DS is double strength. Maybe regular is 450B?

I wish I could offer more advice. I know some folks here use VSL#3 DS, hopefully they will be around to help.

If you call your GI, he may be familiar with prescribing VSL#3 DS and will know a good starting dose.
Posted 1/14/2012 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I just got my VSL DS in the mail. 3 months worth through medco pharmacy.

I asked my doc to perscribe me 4 packets per day, so I got 4x 90 days = 360 packets in the mail. I'll probably level off at 2 a day so it will save me money on copay in the end as it will last longer than 90 days.

If you have any other questions or need clarifications on anything else, let me know!
Posted 1/14/2012 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
The therapeutic dose for VSL#3 DS is 2 sachets per day which would be 60/month. A GI familiar with VSL studies would be familiar with this but many GI's are not. My GI wrote out an Rx for the non-DS version which is pointless since an Rx is not necessary for anything except the DS version. I have high deductible so it doesn't matter and I order the standard VSL#3.

Good luck. If you find that 2 sachets per day give you too much gas at first you might want to start with a lower amount and build up to it. Insurers will probably not cover it unless you order the therapeutic amount anyway.
Posted 1/14/2012 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and the DS variety come in little boxes with 20 packets in each and each packet has 900B beneficial bacteria, hence the wording you quoted "20's 900B packets".
Posted 1/14/2012 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your comments,

Called my drug insurance provider and it's not covered under my plan.
Buying it will not even count toward my deductible!

So I guess I'll buy the VSL #3 that requires no prescription.
Saw something about a reasonable price at Costco. Will check it out.

Thanks again...........:-)
Posted 1/15/2012 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I found it at VSL3.com and it was 30 packets of regular strength for 86.00, shipping included.
My local pharmacy, even with a prescription, wanted to charge me 100$ for 20 packets?? whatever, I ordered it from vsl3.com
and it came direct from the distributor and in cold packs!!
I will look into the options from above to see what other deals I can find.
I'm on my first week of this and am hoping for good results.
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