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VSL 3

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/16/2012 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
For those of you using VSL #3 what is the dosage (one a day?) and do you work up to it or just start taking it?  Also, is there a recommended place to buy?  One last question.  I am having a moderate flare after a remission of at least two years.  Should I wait until it is better controlled to start the probiotic or just go ahead and try it now?

Thanks.

 

Posted 5/16/2012 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
There are different dosages depending on your symptoms and your wallet size :-). If your insurance covers it the least expensive way to take it is by Rx from your doctor as VSL DS. The DS stands for Double Strength. This is the "therapeutic" dose and I'm sorry that I don't know how often you take it a day (I never took that dose). You can do a search on the VSL site or Google to find out.

I order VSL#3 (not DS) directly from the company online and it is delivered directly to me in ice packs in 2 days. I take 1 (unflavored) sachet in water every night. The sachet packets have a lot more probiotics in them than the pills do. I also make SCD yogurt with VSL#3 just because it's what I have in the house to use. Would be cheaper to use another probiotic for yogurt-making.

I didn't work up to taking it and don't remember any bad symptoms when I started it years ago but whenever I try something new I like to do it on a day nothing important is planned, just in case. Some people report gassiness in the beginning.

Should you wait? No, I wouldn't.
BTW are you using rectal meds like mesalamine enema or Canasa? Add those to your "to do" list if not, good results expected.
Posted 5/16/2012 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I got the DS. I had previously used the OTC capsules, where 1 OTC packet = approx 3.6 OTC capsules. I spent a month taking two capsules a day, and several months prior taking Align probiotic. I do not think any of the capsules made a lot of difference.

I started with 1 DS packet (they recommend 1/2 to 1 for maintenance, and 2 to 4 packets for active colitis). I have to pay $55 for 20 packets, so I am holding off on taking 3 or 4 a day. I did 1 packet for about a week and noticed some die-off (felt bad and had more smell to bowel movements) then some semi-solid stool formation. I went to several days at 2 packets a day and noticed a slight improvement in stool formation, but not a lot. I resumed 1 packet a day and have been there for about 50 days.

The initial benefit seems to have waned a bit. The initially encouraging semi-solid stools declined to somewhat gassy paste. I am thinking about trying a few days at 2 or 3 packets a day, but need to refill my prescription 1st. Maybe this weekend.

I did not get the remission that some folks describe, but it has seemed to help a lot. The rectal meds had previously reduced urgency, but now the VSL DS is letting me drop down to just a few nights a week on rectal meds. I also tapered down (over past 12 weeks from 15mg Pred to 10mg.) Some of the decline in stool quality could be due to the Pred taper and not my body getting used to VSL.

Anyway, I continue daily with the medical study my life has become.
Posted 5/16/2012 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.  I'm not currently taking any rectal meds but am going to call my GI and have a prescription called in.  I have used them in the past.  Right now I am taking Asacol, Prednisone, and Imuran.  The frequency right now is about 12 or so a day with blood each time.  I have been through this drill before but I guess after a couple of years of remission I forgot how painful it is.  I'm going to try the probiotics.

 

Posted 5/16/2012 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
I started by ordering directly from the company at $86 for a 1 month supply. I was taking 1 sachet a day...450 billion. Not much of a change in my symptoms after a month or two. Then, I found out through my insurance company I would only have to pay $25 for a 3 month supply of the DS. My Dr. ordered 2 VSL DS a day for me....1800 billion. The improvement in my symptoms has been incredible. Do I still see blood...from time to time, but my BM's are much better formed, and I don't have the bloody mucus diarrhea and the urgency I was having before.
Posted 5/17/2012 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
I started to increase to 3 capsules a day, but its really expensive to pay $47 a month or so, i'm back down to 2 capsules a day. My new doc says VSL is a great probiotic just to add.
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