Hi,
I have had a jpouch for almost 2 years now.
Yesterday I received my first bottle of VSL3 capsules and took one to start. I read in a newspaper articles that is was good for UC and bowel inflammation. I have tried other probiotics but they did nothing.
Last night, after taking the VSL 3 capsule, I had a ton of gas, output and major BB during the night.
My question is, if this is from the VSL 3, is it something I should stick with and my body will adjust to it or do you think this means that this probiotic is not for me? I'm willing to go through an adjustment phase if necessary but only if there is a pot o gold at the end of the rainbow. Don't want to suffer if it's not going to help.
Just looking for other thoughts/experiences with this product.
Thank you very much!

Hi Annejo,
My 2 cents would be that there is definitely an adjustment period with any probiotics. I would keep a low dose for a few days until you get used to it and the gas decreases, then slowly increase every few days or once a week until you get to the right dose for you. Everyone is different, you will know when you are feeling great that you are on the right dose for you.
Best of luck!

Hi Annejo,
I would like to echo what NLM34 said. My daughter takes VSL 3 faithfully everyday and there was definately an adjustment period. Although she did not experience the BB, her stomach rumbled alot for about two weeks. But now, she eats whatever she wants and her frequencey is 4-6x a day. From what I've read on this forum, the vsl also acts as a thickener which would seem to reduce the number of trips to the bathroom. Best of luck and good health to you!

How powerful is VSL3... I just had my jpouch done and May 8th, and want to do anything to avoid pouchitis. Should invest in VSL 3?

thanks

Blowe,

A good probiotic is definitely worth the cost. There are others out there that people have had success with (search on probiotics and you'll find a ton of entries - or just post the question). They have helped me more than anything. My insurance covers - they paid $800+ for 3 mos. supply and I paid $75. Not too bad.

Thanks... is VSL3 that expensive? i don't know if my insurance will pay for the cost.

Thanks for the input and advice. I'll stick with one capsule a day or everyother day and see how it goes. I will also check to see if my insurance will cover some of it . Wouldn't that be awesome!
Probably the BB was from the frequent trips to the bathroom. If I could get down to 4-6 X's a day, I would be thrilled. I am going to hang in there and see how I adjust.
I had tried another probiotic by Gan Eden for Inflammatory Bowel Disease but it did nothing. I was on it for 2 months and noticed no changes. I am just in search of one that helps. It seems that so many people have luck with probiotics and they are so good for our system.
Thanks so much!

Blowe,
The VSL 3 is by Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals and you can google it to find out costs and quantities. Just check with your doctor if it is okay at the beginning stages of surgery. Sometimes, it is best to wait to see how your body adjusts/reacts with out adding supplements.
I am almost 2 years out of surgery and didn't start a probiotic until almost 9 months ago.
Good luck.

Hi there,
I started probiotics about a month or so after TD I think (can't quite remember) but I do know they helped immediately for me. Reduced gas, which had been very painful up till then, and reduced BB. The VSL is too expensive for me to get shipped to Norway, so I take Bio Life's Bio-Dophilus. Costs a fraction of the price and works very well for me. I take 2 capsules a day.