I am jumping the gun here a little bit, but I am planning on taking a good probiotic after my take down, which will most likely be in October (1st step on August 20).

I was just looking into my options of any probiotics being covered by my insurance, and to my surprise they DO cover VSL#3, but only the RX strength. This product is not available OTC and it contains double the strains over the regular. That would be 900 billion strains! Holy smokes

I just talked to a VSL#3 rep, and she said they are out of stock at this moment, but it will be back in stock in September.

Does any one of you have any experience with this RX strength? I was thinking about stocking up before the year is over, since I have fulflled my deductible and RXs are free... This stuff is REALLY expensive otherwise, at $900 for a 3 month supply! But free is FREE, so...

SweFlo,

I currently take VSL#3 DS 20s (20 packets/box) - which my insurance also covers minus a $75 copay. And yes, the DS does mean Double Strength - but is nothing to be afraid of

I looked at the VSL site and noted they recommended 3 packets/day for remission of pouchitis in j-pouchers. But that was single strength packets, I believe.

Additionally, it has been discussed on this board that 3 packets may be overdoing it. Some people tried 3 SS packets/day and it created too much gas and upset for some of them. Someone even called the VSL folks, and they said the only reason they recommend 3 packets/day is because that is what they had their study subjects take - meaning that's what they have to recommend if they say it will keep pouchitis in remission. But the rep conceded that less than 3 packets might work perfectly well too.

Anyway, I started out taking 1 DS packet/day and found that I did well during the day but did worse at night. So, I started taking 1 DS packet in the morning and one at night and have had very good success with that. When I started taking the second packet, I will say that I had a bit more gas for a week or so until my body got used to the increase.

As for filling the Rx with your insurance, I'm not sure how yours does it, but mine (United Healthcare) left things open to interpretation. I had to:
1. Fax my surgeon the order form from the insurance's online pharmacy
2. Tell my surgeon's nurse a recommended "dosage." I went with the 3 packets/day - thinking worst case scenario. I ordered a 3 month supply @ 3 packets/day (or 270 packets total)
3. Get my surgeon's office to fax the order in

After ordering, I got my supply in a matter of days - in a styrofoam cooler packed with ice packs. The bottom of the refrigerator is filled on one side with boxes after I get it

By the way, if you didn't read it: VSL#3 will stay good at room temp for a week, and will stay good in the frig for a year.

Great! Thanks so much!

I have United Healthcare too. I never used their Medco for the 90 day supplies before, since most my meds have changed constantly over the last years. But I am considering doing it with this!

My plan has no co pays, just a hefty $2,850 deductible each year, which I so far have fulfilled by February/March, an dthen all care/RX are completly free.

This is the Open Choice PPO.

Yep - Medco is the simplest way to do it. And they didn't seem to have any supply problems, but I'm glad you mentioned it. My supply will be up in a few weeks, so I will have to remember to refill sooner than later.