I only know of two ways to get the price down significantly. One is if your insurance company covers the DS (prescription only) strength - this varies from one insurance to the other. The other way is to go through through an assistance program (essentially financial aid) that requires income documentation.

Lots of folks here use VSL #3. It seems to work best at preventing pouchitis, which can make it tricky to judge if it's working.

I take 4 packets per day of the DS (double strength). Two before breakfast and two before dinner.