Probiotic Recommendations?

I really need a good probiotic after this Candidiasis episode!

Is there anything on the market which comes close to VSL#3 in performance but doesn't carry the same price tag?

VSL always gets slammed on the price. Most people just don't realize that VSL is actually cheaper than probably every other probiotic. There is a reason that VSL has proven statistics for helping those with UC and one of those reasons is the fact that it has so many CFU's. If you divide the price by how many CFU's it contains, it is by far the cheapest probiotic available. Just using the capsules for a comparison, a VSL capsule contains 112.5 billion CFU's and costs approximately $60 per bottle of 60 (delivered) and Phillips (just for an example) contains 1.5 billion CFU's and costs about $30 for a package of 60. This means that if you spent $60 for Phillips you would be taking 3 billion CFU's compared to the 112.5 billion CFU's in the VSL, which means you would have to spend over $2000 on Phillips to get the same number of CFU's you get with VSL. On top of that, some insurances will cover VSL DS. There are extremely few probiotics where insurance will cover them at all.

To the best of my knowledge Candida is not contagious at all, although you should take normal precautions.

In response to jc_ferrero, VSL#3DS has double the cfu's and requires a prescription, however, I was able to get it thru a patient assist program where I qualified for low income. It's worth the effort to check it out. Go to NORD which is National Organization of Rare Diseases which has the NORD VSL#3DS Medication Assistance Program. Contact them to find out how you apply. You can call 1-877-279-2459.

I get a 3 month supply and take 1 packet every morning in cold water. GOOD LUCK!

Diagnosed in 2009, have been in remission since March. Taking 4 Lialda daily, Humira 40mg 2x/month, being weaned off of prednisone-down to 2.5 mg every other day; Vitamin D3, 2000 mg daily; carvidilol for the heart