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Hi All,

I know VSL #3 is recommended by many doctors for those with J-pouch to help prevent pouchitis. I used to be able to take VSL #3 multiple times a day and have no problems. After multiple rounds of antibiotics, I no longer seem to be able to tolerate it. If I take it at night, I have incontinence, which I usually do not have, and my stomach feels very cramped the next day. Is anyone else unable to tolerate strong probiotics  such as this? Should I keep trying to take it to see if my body adjusts, like maybe once a week, or should I stick to other sources like yogurt and Align? Thanks!

Kevin

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They sell it in pill and powder form. I drink the powder with water, without food. I've been told you can take it with our without food. I've felt sick all day after taking it last night, so I'm wondering if I'm doing more harm then good by trying to take it, or if this is something I will get over after my body adjusts. I'm wondering if possibly my body does not need this level of bacteria and am wondering if I should take a probiotic at all.

Some folks don't tolerate VSL. For some the intolerance is temporary, passing in a week or two. You could try reducing the dose, or just switching to a different probiotic. I take a maximum dose (4 DS sachets daily). I mix it in Greek yogurt, and it basically disappears. As Kevin says, the capsules just get swallowed with water.

For the third time I tried to take VSL #3 at night and woke up feeling horrible. My stomach is painful and very cramped. At first, I thought I just needed to get used to it but I guess my body is telling me I shouldn't take it. Maybe I'll try another probiotic that isn't so strong, like Align, or just eat more yogurt. Or maybe, like others have suggested, some of us just do not need probiotics. I know my last few visits with Dr. Shen he basically said to take them if I want to, but he was not really advocating for them. It seems like his opinion on them has changed.

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