vsl#3 DS

Very expensive and most insurance companies do not cover the cost. Also, ask your doctor for samples. I did and found out I don't like the taste. I also asked my doctor about the research on VSL and he agreed that the results are inconclusive, but I should take some kind of probiotic. Therefore, I take OTC Align for the past year and have been doing well overall. Align cost about 75 cents to $1 per day.

I have no idea what the "VSL" stands for. I assume it has meaning for the manufacturer, but I have never heard a reason for that particular name. The "DS" part refers to double strength and is the prescription only version.

I have the impression that coverage for VSL DS is limited to those diagnosed with, or likely candidates for, pouchitis. There has been some research indicating that it may be helpful in preventing pouchitis or its recurrence (but it is not considered a viable treatment for pouchitis itself).

But as Lesandiego suggests, some insurers may not cover VSL or any other probiotic. If you are fortunate enough to be covered (as I am), your out of pocket expense will be much reduced and VSL DS will be more cost effective than many other popular brands.

As TinCan wrote, the DS (Double Strength) form requires a doctor's prescription. It's the same stuff as the regular strength, but lots more per packet. It seems like the insurance coverage question may have less to do with "medical necessity" in many cases than whether the insurance company is willing to cover a "medical food" at all, or whether they are willing to cover a prescription strength of a drug available without a prescription at a lower strength.

I mailed off an appeal to my state's Insurance Administration yesterday. My Blue Cross plan is digging in their heels.

So if I just ask my Dr about VSL#3 DS she will know what I am referring to? Thanks everyone for the info, I appreciate it.

There's a chance your doctor will be clueless, unless she's used VSL #3 before. There is prescriber information at vsl3.com.

I checked with my insurance company before asking for a prescription and they cover VSL#3DS. I checked with my drug store, Walgreens, and they could get it in. Not all drug stores carry it. It requires refrigeration and I need to give them several days notice to get it in for me.

After doing this research I gave the necessary information to my Internist and she wrote the prescription for it. I didn't want to bother my surgeon as he wasn't going to see me all the time and my Internist sees me 4 times a year. Plus she believes in taking probiotics, especially after taking antibiotics. BTW she suggests Align to people with colons after antibiotic use.

I went to a 2014 local IBD update conference this spring and both the surgeon and the GI presenting at the conference specifically recommended VSL#3 use for anyone with an Ileoanal pouch. There are papers on-line written by Dr. Shen at Cleveland Clinic about it's use that suggest it is beneficial. The problem is there are too few of us to do proper large scale studies with control subjects etc.

A patient of Dr. Shen's recently posted that he said to go ahead a use probiotics while taking antibiotics but to make sure there are 3-4 hours separating the probiotic use from taking the antibiotic.

I also take s.boulardii to prevent c.diff infections. I have had several of these infections since having my j-pouch as well as before having my colon out.

I still have recurrent bouts of pouchitis but I don't need to take antibiotics all the time. I also eat Greek yogurt daily. I like it and I mix my VSL#3 in it. I hardly taste any flavor in it. You need it mix VSL#3DS into something that tastes good and it will taste good. It has to be something cold, like yogurt, applesauce or ice cream (sugar = bad but the instructions suggest ice cream ) BTW - it tastes gross with cottage cheese.

thank you everyone for the input on VSL#3. I will discuss this with my Dr. I wonder why she didn't recommend taking one. I spoke to my GI about this and he says I don't need one. I'm also curious about the one mentioned for C-diff wonder why that was never mentioned either. I had C-diff 3 times within 4 months. Frustrating to know that I could have taken something to prevent it.

The level of scientific evidence for some probiotics is often not very strong. VSL does seem to prevent *some* pouchitis recurrences in reasonable studies. I haven't seen *any* real studies documenting the efficacy of S. Boulardi in preventing C. diff, so I wouldn't expect my doctor to necessarily recommend it, but I take it anyway. When you want to venture beyond solid medical science your doctor may not be enthusiastic or knowledgable. I don't think it's their job.

If you've never had pouchitis, for example, VSL is likely to be an expensive, useless nuisance. You would have a very good chance of being fine without it.

Too add on to what Scott said I'd like to emphasize what I said about the medical studies. There are so few of us that what medical studies that have been done have not had the normal "control" group etc., as in "real studies" - they are closer to anecdotal ones.

VSL#3DS is not the end all be all and without insurance I would look into alternatives - but not for long if they didn't help me maintain the current health that I currently have. I currently have to treat for pouchitis off and on with antibiotics.

I have not had any c-diff infections since I started taking s.boulardii but I don't know this prevented another cases. I do know that after having to take 3 or 4 rounds of flagyl to get over it that it's a cheap deterrent.

BTW - This one is inexpensive. I refrigerate it, as the bottle says it will prolong shelf life. If interested I get Jarrow Formula - Saccharamyces Boulardii +MOS.