I take 1000 mg of Cipro a day for chronic pouchitis. I would like to try taking VSL3 but I am not sure if it will be effective. When should I take it?? I read on other posts that you should have 6-8 hrs between the cipro dose and the VSL3. Since I am taking the cipro 2x/day that is a bit hard to do. Is it necessary to have the two separated by that many hours?? I would really like to be able to decrease the cipro to a lower dose and I am hoping the probiotics will help. Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LynnZee,

Hi Lynne,

I'm sorry to hear that you are still having issues with pouchitis. As for the probiotics, well I heard 4 hours either side of taking an antibiotic so I would try that. I had such good success with the VSL#3 when I was taking it. It really helped to keep me in remission and if I got behind on it and the pouchitis symptoms came back I could get back on track without the need for more antibiotics as long as I didn't let it get too severe.

It certainly can't hurt to try it and who know? You may even get the results you hoped for.

Good luck.

Luv & Hugs

Shell

Shell~ Thanks for the help. I will try that. I am starting with 1/2 packet of double strength and hope to work up to the recommended 1-2 pouches a day. I am trying to take it around lunch time....that way I can get the most hours between the VSL and the Cipro.

Here's an observation: I was on Cipro, same dosage as you Lynn from August through November for Pouchitis. When I'd take my meds (which included VSL3) I'd throw them all down at once, first thing in the morning (6:30); some relief from the Pouchitis but not great. After calling my GI, I was advised to discontinue Cipro which I did. Stuff hit the fan so to speak but I stayed off Cypro. Couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch a cold from my wife and b/4 it turned into a full blown respatory infection (which I am prone to) I began taking Cipro again to ward off the infection. Big difference was that I took it some four hours after taking my probiotic (which I've changed to a generic OTC one ... easier to get).
Anyway, I've noticed an improvement in the nbr. of times I "go". I think there is much to be said for Shell Worrall's observaton. I wish my GI had advised me of this. Any thoughts? Lou