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how much vsl3? and quick update..

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/29/2012 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I started VSL3 a few weeks ago.  How much do you take?  I started with one capsule and now take 2 in the morning on an empty stomach.  HOw and when do you take it?  Also anyone try VSL # and then switch to VSL DS?  More improvement with one or the other?

Week 3 of 6mp and on 15mg of Prednisone.  Bleeding is much less, sometimes I don't see any.  However today was odd.  More urgency and had way more bathroom trips than usual. Sore now :(  I think it was because I ate coconut milk ice cream (not a good idea)  I think it made my ibs sxs get all worked up and because I'm not fully healed I had a bad day.  Yestderday was all formed stool, barely any B and only 2x all day.

 

Posted 5/29/2012 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
If you are taking two tablets a day, you are taking 225 billion. The recommended amount for UC is between 450 and 900 billion a day. I started taking 1 sachet of VSL#3 a day (450 billion). I noticed a slight improvement. Then, I got a script from my GI for VSL #3 DS 2 sachets a day (1800 billion). The improvement was remarkable after a few weeks! I continue to take this amount.  For a while, I still had urgency in the morning. Now, I eat 1 cup of cooked rice (white, brown, whatever) a night, and I no longer have any urgency in the morning. I still have an "off" day now and then, but really am feeling and functioning much better.

Post Edited (hineycase) : 5/30/2012 9:08:08 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/29/2012 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi seasons, I only take 2 capsules a day, every morning before or after breakfast with other supplements/vitamins. I noticed when I started a few months ago, that it took care of gas for a while, now its back, I think I need to up 1 capsule or 2... honestly I would take 6 capsules a day if I could but its $47 a bottle of 60caps! :/
Posted 5/30/2012 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
My GI suggested one sachet of DS every second day.

BTW, DS is not on prescription anymore. I just got it from Costco for $107 without Rx.
Posted 5/30/2012 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks deltaforce I didn't know that. Are you seeing any positive changes on it?
Posted 5/30/2012 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
deltaforce,

I am afraid you are mistaken.

DSL#3 is available without perscription (450 billion per sachet).

DSL#3 DS is NOT available without perscription. (900 billion per sachet).

I was so surprised when I read your post I called the Medical Information Department at Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1-866-GET-VSL3 (438-8753), the makers of DSL.

They told me DSL#3 DS is not available over the counter; you still need a prescription for the DS.

They told me if anything labeled DSL#3 DS is being sold without a prescription, it is not authentic.

Posted 5/31/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
@hineycase,

The pack does say Rx only but I got it without prescription. I talked to the pharmacist as well and he did mention that it was Rx only but now its not. Give a try yourself.

I doubt CostCo would sell me not-authentic stuff but I will print this out and show the pharmacist at my local CostCo.
Posted 5/31/2012 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I just switched from VSL#3 tabs, probably around 6 a day to 2 sachets of VSL#3 DS a day and I would have had some major painful bloating, so much so I backtracked and just did 2 sachet for a week and then upped it to 2 a day. Can't tell yet if it is doing anything, but I have never been on the recommended dose for those with active UC(I haven't have a solid remission for a year and a half, so that's what I consider myself) so we will see.

Regarding the price, I can't remember exactly how much 2 boxes or 40 sachets cost at my pharmacy, but it definitely was way less than $107.
Posted 5/31/2012 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
I started taking 1 capsule and saw no change. Upped it to 2 and then 3 per day. Started to see more form. Then I switched to the sachets, taking 1/day. Saw more improvement. I upped it to 2 sachets and saw more improvement (more consistently formed BM's). Tried the DS strength. I now take one sachet (450B) in the morning and 1 DS sachet (900B) at night. I take it with SCD yogurt which adds another 700B bacteria. Overall it helped me get more consistent formed BM's. Bacteria breaks down the undigested food in you colon and helps to form the stool. Most people with UC have dysbiosis (an imbalance) in their colonic bacteria. The probiotic works best if there's prebiotic material (fiber) in your colon for it to digest. I usually take my VSL 1-2 hrs after a meal.
Posted 5/31/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone see a change in bleeding usiing VSL?
Posted 5/31/2012 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
deltaforce,

I don't have a Cosco near by me. I did call a few local pharmacies this morning, a few small and a few "big box". When I told them I wanted VSL#3 DS...could they order it for me...they all responded that they could get regular strength for me without a prescription, but if I wanted the DS, I would  need a prescription from my DR. I wonder if the Cosco Pharmacist made a mistake?

seasons 21,

Like italo, I have seen much better formed BM's. While sometimes I still see some blood on the BM or get a drop or two of dark dried blood, I am no loger seeing any red blood, pink toilet water or red mucos...very little gas and less urgency (not sure if the less urgency is due to VSL or rice).

Posted 5/31/2012 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
i honestly don't think i saw much of a difference using VSL. i was on 2 packets a day of regular VSL #3. my insurance didn't cover the DS and it would've cost me $187 for a 20 day supply. i just couldn't afford that so i found it for $70 for 30 packets at target. i took it in the morning before breakfast every day. i started taking it while i was in remission and then i took more when i was not in remission. it didn't help my flare at all so i concluded that it must not have been keeping me in remission either.
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