Favorite Probiotic?

[Cupkatemom]

What is your child's favorite probiotic? Our GI recommended any from the refrigerated section of Whole Foods. Reese will only take one that can be swallowed...she dislikes any chewable stuff.

The GI thinks she may have IBS and IBD. Weird!?!

 

[my little penguin]

DS takes vsl#3 double strength ( prescription)
But you can get weaker versions otc at the pharmacy in a pill form.

 

[izzi'smom]

Our gi recommended vsl 3 or florastor. We used vsl 3.

 

[Mehita]

We use Melaleuca brand.

Oddly, our GI isn't a fan of probiotics and recommends kefir instead, but DS isn't a fan of kefir.

 

[Sascot]

I was just wondering what the "next best" one other than VSL#3. Our prescription requirements are very specific and the GP can't prescribe it.

 

[izzi'smom]

We didn't need a script for vsl#3. We had to special order it from the pharmacy though.

 

[Farmwife]

I tried to get vsl #3 by prescription but they wouldn't cover it.
Does anyone else get covered?

 

[CarolinAlaska]

We use Culturelle or PB Assist from DoTerra. I like both, but didn't get either this month because I am short on money and not sure if they are doing anything.

 

[Sascot]

Unfortunately VSL#3 is only allowed on prescription here, and only for pouchitis and one other thing. Because we get all meds on prescription free, the controls are extremely tight and GPs have all sorts of regulations to follow. Plus they always have to try prescribe the cheapest option first

 

[DanceMom]

Our GI isn't big on probiotics either, but he did have us try Florastor once. It was expensive and it didn't ease her symptoms so we stopped using it.

 

[my little penguin]

There are three versions of vsl#3
Junior for little kids -no prescription needed but the pharmacy does need to order it for you
Regular vsl#3 ( capsules or packets ) again pharmacy has to order it
Prescription only - double strength VSL #3( packet) again your Gi and your phamacy have to order it.
None of them are covered by insurance due to being a medical food .
Add in all the studies only show effiacy for UC and pouchitus for vsl#3 probiotics

That said we pay out of pocket since DS has more UC symptoms in his rectum ( even though he has Crohn's) that respond well to the vsl#3

 

[Maya142]

We tried vsl#3 and it didn't really seem to help so we stopped it. We now use Culturelle, which is over the counter. Not sure if it helps either, but it makes me feel better!

 

[Mehita]

I guess my take on probiotics and why we still do them even though our GI doesn't support it is because I think they provide benefits, though not necessarily gastro benefits. We rarely get sick compared to a lot of families in our schools, so I do think there is something to them. That being said, the type and brand you use can be pretty individual. I can't use Florastor because it kept giving me yeast infections. For DS, we use one with both the bifi and the lacto in it. For DS #2, we use kids Culturelle because it's the "only one that tastes good" according to him.

It might take some experimenting.

 

[Cupkatemom]

Thanks all..I bought Florastor b/c is was cheaper than the VSL#3. I'd rather work from the less expensive up. Next week is the second round of state testing, I should know by the end of next week if it is helping or not.