hi can anyone tell me how they take vsl..i called site and three different people gave me different answers..last one said 4 capsules equal i packette...i order the caPSULES PRIOR TO THAT BECAUSE THE PERSON SAID TWO CAPSULES IS EQUAL TO ONE PACKETTE ..AND FOR MAINTANING REMISSION AFTER POUCHITIS 4 PACKETTES ARE NEEDED...HOW MANY OF ANYTHING HAS WORKED FOR ANYONE???

I'm afraid its another one of those individual things. My GI ordered 3 packets VSL#3 daily for remission. But I found my body didn't tolerate that too well. Gas, frequency, etc. So I backed it off and am working up to it...started with one packet daily and slowly increase as tolerated.I don't know how the capsules translate to packets. I asked the doc to order capsules but he didn't, oh well, as long as he orderes it, the insurance will pay for it. So packets it is. I think some other folks around here have done better with different probiotics.Trial and error I'm afraid.Sometimes I wish something about this disease was 'set in stone'. I hope you find the right combo.
LoriP

I take 4 packets VSL daily with no side effects. My GI says the packets work better than the pills. I don't care for the taste but have swallowed VSL for a year. I have no gas from this dose. However, if I even skip it for a day, the pain is back and two days of skipping means diarrhea for me. Good luck in seeing what works for you

VSL packages their products in a variety of ways:

1. Packets vs. Pills
2. Single strength (450 billion bacteria) vs. Double strength (900 billion bacteria)
3. Boxes of 10 vs. 20 vs. 30 packets

So, I would assume there are probably 225 billion little guys in a pill, making both people on the phone correct in the equivalents (if one was talking about a comparison with Single strength and the other was talking about Double strength).

I believe the double-blind study was conducted using 3 Single strength packets / day if you look at the study and results for UC and pouchitis remission.

I wouldn't know why the pills wouldn't work as well as the packets - probably because people don't usually take the equivalent (my guess).

I take two of the Double strength packets / day (900 billion x 2) and that would mean 8 pills / day.

Given that, I would prefer the packets.

You might also check on what your insurance covers, if anything. Mine only covers (minus my $75 copay) the Double strength packets in boxes of 20. Don't ask me why.

well folks i tried just the equivalent of a one half a pack of vsl3 with one capsule devided in half in one day..fyi 2 capsules equal 225billion bacteria..one pack equals 450billion..and my frequency went crazy and my soreness irritation was horrible..had to take a vicodin..so painful or stingging after awhile..also sat on sith bath at 4 in morning..

can`t even take the silly probiotic!!!sigh...rebecca