I have had my JPouch for almost 8 years now and I am doing pretty good. Once in a while I get what seems to be a small blockage where the reconnection was but it isn't much of a problem. What I do get more often is a backup of foods at the reconnection site which seems to sit around the area and begins to cause an infection of bacteria build up which in turn causes me to have increased bowel movements and much looser movements as well. When I get these infections I usually take a week of Cipro and Flagyl and I am back to ok...

My gastro is now suggesting I try VSL#3 to deter the bacteria growth.

Can anyone give me any feedback on their experience with VSL?? Has it worked?? Good or bad?? I want to take the pill form... is it as good as the powder??

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I was fortunate enough to have been able to take part in trials that my GI was studying on VSL#3 and it's effectiveness at keeping pouchitis in remission once it was attained with antobiotics. I had problems emptying my j-pouch so suffered constantly from the bacterial overgrowth that you describe. VSL kept me in remission for as long as I was taking it. If I stopped for any reason then the pouchitis would come back with a vengence within a week.

I would start with one sachet per day and build up to two until my system got used to them. I could then lower the dose back down again to one sachet to maintain remission.

Anyway, I definately think it's worth trying. It certainly worked well for me.

Good luck.

Shell

Thanks Shell...

I wanted to take the pills if possible. Is there much of a difference between the pills and the powder??

Thanks,

Jeff

I have had pouchitis and had it return after a five days on antibiotics (Cipro then Xifaxin). Right now I am on Xifaxin. I have been taking on sachet a day between doses of Xifaxin. I am doing better and I really think it is the VSL#3DS that is making the difference. I finish my three weeks of Xifaxin in three days and I hope if I keep using the VSL that I won't need antibiotics so often. The powder is easy to mix with juice and has very little flavor. I just hope enough of the good guys are surviving the antibiotic to really be helping.

Jeff, it's over 4 years since I was last on VSL. I have a perminent ileostomy now so don't qualify for VSL any more. The pills weren't available here the last time I was on VSL so I'm sorry but I can't help you with that one.

I do take an OTC brand of high strength probiotics though which I swear keeps my Fibromyalgia and yeast infections at bay.

Hopefully someone will be along soon who has better experience with the pills and can advise you. Good luck.

Shell