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VSL#3 - Please share thoughts and experiences

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/22/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I know a lot of us have tried a lot of different probiotics.  I also know lots of people here have used VSL 3.

Just recently I read someone's post that they were using the non-prescription version, so I just looked it up online and was (kind of) surprised to see that they say it's for sale at your local pharmacy and they list a whole bunch of US businesses with pharmacies that sell it?

Has anyone just walked into WalMart of CVS or some other pharmacy and bought VSL#3?

Thoughts or experiences on the prescription vs. non-prescription strengths?

Is it worth all the money?  I have already spent a bundle trying out a variety of probiotics.  What's special about this one?  Is it just a super duper stronger strength, or do they have some strain/s of bacteria that the others don't have?

I hadn't really thought about VSL 3 before because I thought you could only get it through a prescription, so now that I see I can just order it online (or maybe visit my local drugstore?), I might give it a try.

Thanks for input!

Posted 10/22/2012 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I ordered it though the VSL#3 website and I actually think it's better that way because they ship it cold, in a cooler with cold packs. Unfortunately, it did absolutely nothing positive for me and I didn't continue taking it.

Since that time, I had a major flare up, started 6mp and stopped taking all supplements (except vitamin d). I have been doing great and I love that I don't have to spend money on supplements. None of them are FDA approved, not that I think FDA approved means necessarily better, but sometimes I wonder if half of these supplements do anything. I was taking ginger, slippery elm, holy basil, LOADS of stuff, what a waste of money.

I admit, I think I should have tried taking a higher dose f the VSL#3 but it was so darn expensive, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I really don't think it would have helped regardless. If I had something bacterial going on, perhaps, but I've been tested for all of that and nothing showed up.
Posted 10/22/2012 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
VSL regular strength definetly helps me. I order mine from Amazon and it comes refrigerated. I might have to look into buying it locally as the shipping is not cheap. It does have very high dose cultures in it. Seems like every probiotic has different strains in it. The VSL actually has legitimate medical studies behind it, specifically for UC. As far as I know it is the only probiotic that has legitimate studies behind it concerning UC, except for E.Coli Nissel, which is not available in the US. Where do you find the list of stores that VSL is available? I thought only the double strength version was available in local stores through a prescription.
Posted 10/22/2012 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Looking at the VSL website, the double strength version requires a prescription, but the regular strength capsules and packets can be found at some pharmacies. There's a link where you can search for VSL at a pharmacy near you from the VSL website, and it looks like there's 2 places near me that sell it. Interesting! But you have to actually go to the pharmacist to ask for it, it's behind their counter in the pharmacy fridge. I just may give it a try. Seems like I"ve tried all sorts of other things, might as well add this to the list. :)

And of course I'm interested to hear if it helped or didn't help anyone else.
Posted 10/22/2012 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
i always get mine at the drugstore, but definitely shop around for the cheapest price. target has it for the lowest, then costco. i went to the main grocery store in my town once (giant eagle) and they were selling it for $94 a package (more than the online price). you just have to call ahead of time to make sure they have it in stock- they NEVER do because it's not a popular probiotic. they will always order it for you no problem.
Posted 10/22/2012 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
the "advantage", other than some scientific studies of the double-strength, is the idea that there are more live bacteria because of refrigeration (and a high count to begin with).

It helps me have less symptoms and feel better. There was occasional gas and discomfort initially as the gut bacteria rebalanced. I am not clear why the new balance does not last - possibly because the UC keeps tipping the balance.

I use DS because with my health coverage, it works out a little cheaper for DS than for the regular strength.
Posted 10/22/2012 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
One packet of DS a day works great for me.
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