I am thinking about purchasing VSL 3. I currently take Metamucil (powder form) 2 times a day and immodium 2 times a day. Should I stop using these when I start this?

Lately....if I take Metamucil, it makes me go to the bathroom a lot. If I don't take it---I didn't take it or immodium this morning and now tonight, my butt burns so bad from the bowel movements that I had to take a bath to help the pain.

Does this happen to anyone else? Anyone else doing anything different to thicken their stool?

Thanks!!!!

Although it's a difficult, life altering change, the Paleo Diet has dramatically changed my health for the better. I've gone from having 26 BM's a day that were all loose and liquid to about 8 that are formed and solid and make me feel like a "normal" person. I also take VSL 3 and Pepto Bismal but the diet is what really slowed things down and thickened them up for me.
It was difficult in the beginning but I've been doing it for 11 months now and don't plan on ever stopping.
I don't always check in on the forum so if you have questions for me specifically just PM.

also vsl3DS is covered under insurance. Without the DS (double strength) it is not.

Cristol,

I take vsl3ds and nothing else. No immodium, metamucil, etc.... I am of the group however that is very happy with a non thick stool. It passes easier, no straining, and its very obvious when i am done or need to go.

As far as the burning goes, if i am going to eat something of high heat. i usually will take digestive enzymes. They kill the butt burn as well as most of the gas. If these interest you, i will get you info.

Best to you

Derek

I take VSL#3D and 4 pepto bismol chewables daily. I take digestive enzimes with any food that's spicy or likely to produce gas - around once a day. I take metamucil capsules depending on what food I'm eating once or twice a day 3-5 at a time. If I'm eating a bagel I don't need it and less with pasta.

It's just a system I've ended up with after a lot of trial and error. The VSL is a probiotic and I don't think taking it should affect anything else you are taking.

Isn't this fun?

I also would be interested in the digestive enzymes. Please tell me more

The ones i have used and have the best results with are called "enhanced super digestive enzymes" by Life extension. they are all natural and can be used for people who are vegetarians.

I take them before spicy foods or any other food that i know gives me gas. These seem to eliminate both of these issues.

I found them on Amazon at the best price point. Approx 12$-13$ per bottle. In stores they seem to run much higher. Up to 17-20 per bottle.


Hope this helps


Derek

I had bad gas with VSL with the J pouch , it helped me a lot with no gas when I had UC, go figure.

Make sure you take the Metamucil with no more then 1/2 the water they suggest (I use less than half) I dont think either Immodium or Metamucil will effect the VSL. Lomotil worked well for me until it didnt. I still use it once in a while. I use tincture of opium now but usually only when I am going to out for an extended period of time otherwise nothing. I found that Immodium and lomotil didn't really help much if I used them all the time so I transitioned to using the bowl "slowers" on an "as needed" basis.

I use the same digestive enzimes as dtmack and find them better than any others I've tried.

Does anyone here know of any other probiotics that does the same job?

Thank you to all of you!

The enzymes---you take that right before the meal? Do you take these in place of anything?

I did get insurance to cover the VSL DS and have been taking it for about 2 weeks. I need to work on my diet as well....to see if the VSL is working for me.

Happy New Year!

You take them before your meals that might be gas producers, spicy, etc. In the beginning that was about everything for me. I got these from my nutritionist and then dtmack on here found them cheaper on amazon.com.

LifeExtension Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes, 100 vegetarian capsules which is 50 doses at 2 caps each.

If I forget to take them before I take them during or after, just need to take them around the time you are eating the food. You don't need them for thins like oatmeal.

You can also try beano or others OTC this one is cheaper and has more helpful ingredients.

Insurance doesn't cover them but they are fairly inexpensive.

Happy New Year to You Too!

What Insurance company agreed to cover the VSL#3DS My carrier said no !

Oxford

Caremark did...my dr. wrote a presecription for VSL#3 DS and it was not a problem

I will say that I have been taking it for about 2 weeks now and have not seen a difference. I will continue to take it to see what happens after a month.

Anyone else have frequency issues when working out. My dr. said that I have runner's pouchitis...once I start working out for any period of time, my frequency goes up to about 15-20 bm/day and consistency goes to liquid.

I thought VSL might help this, but it isn't. Any ideas?