Has anyone taken the probiotic VSL#3?

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I never tried but I know its expensive. I found a similar one, but only 50 billion, at GNC...Ultimate Flora.
 
Hi David, if you are going to take it for laughs, don't .... it is costly. I have been on it up til a couple of weeks ago, for almost a year. I think it did alot of help. 450billion probiotics is good, a few of those swimmers gotta make it ;). I mix it in my yogurt or non acid juice. Some people in the states get it covered if they can get a script for double doses. Here in Canada it is a medicinal food but will not be covered. A new study with Rifixamin is supposed to help post surgery and I was thinking it would work before surgery too. WE dont have have Rifixamin here either. I hope you try it, and it goes by how many bm you have in a day and taper to 2 packages a day, but it takes 3 weeks for it to work initially. Let us know what you decide and try it! It runs me about $205.00 a month for a 30 day supply. Good luck with it.
 
David, I have heard alot about VSL on the JPouch.org site. THey are people who had their colon removed, and replaced with a jpouch. Many people there have benefited from VSL or a probiotic. Some haven't. I try to add either a probiotic drink or pill to my diet daily. Not sure if it works or not. Sue
 
I tried Primal Defense, but I could not tell any difference. I was flared at the time I used it.

I have seen enough people that have had some benefit from probiotics that I think it is worth trying. There also is some science that indicates gut flora is influencing our health in very specific ways. The immune system is very closely tied to the intestinal tract also.

This is one study I just found. It is not directly related to Crohn's, but it is not totally unrelated either. I have seen others also, but I did not save them.

http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/march2010/03152010bacteria.htm

Dan
 
My doc says probiotics have shown (in studies he's done) to be very helpful in IBS and ulcerative colitis, but unfortunately no help in Crohn's. I asked if I should take them and he said they won't hurt but most likely won't help the course of the disease... HOWEVER he did say they would aid with bloating and gas.
 
I have taken probiotics (florastor, align) for over a year and they have helped. The VSL is just too expensive for my budget unfortunately.
 
Jill - I did take them for about a month, following about a month of the antibiotic Rifaximin. Neither gave me an improvement, but I'm not diagnosed at this point, and I don't think I have IBD. I think you should give the VSL3 a try, if your doctor suggests it.
 
My GI gave me a bunch of samples of this today (to take for Crohn's). I would like to know what organisms are in it. I looked on the packet and on the website and all it says is "lactic acid bacteria," which is disappointingly vague.

Edit - I found a list at this website, not sure how accurate it would be:

* Bifidobacterium breve
* Bifidobacterium longum
* Bifidobacterium infantis
* Lactobacillus acidophilus
* Lactobacillus plantarum
* Lactobacillus casei
* Lactobacillus bulgaricus
* Streptococcus thermophilus

I will have to compare these to the probiotic I was already taking... Pretty sure at least a couple overlap.
 
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Jill,my daughters GI said the most recent study shows that probiotics have helped in crohns patients....waiting for the script for my daughter,hope this works
 
I just started taking them this week they're apparently one of the best types of pro biotics available on the market. it's only been a few days so i cant tell if there's any real benefits yet. but i do feel a bit more energetic, maybe it's helping my intestines absorb more of my nutrients im taking somehow. well i hope so at least :) - Tim
 
Jastarret and Tim - Please keep us posted! I still haven't tried them yet. I would be eager to hear if they help.
 
My daughter takes two of the VSL#3 capsules a day, down from 3 (although she's flaring...maybe I'll up it again).
She was steroid dependent until I restricted her diet (no dairy, low fat/fiber) and put her on these...her symptoms were significantly decreased the NEXT day. I'm not sure if this was diet, probiotics, a combination of the two, or a fluke, but for now we'll pay $2 a day for it!
 
Probiotic supplements are a great way to improve digestion and thereby resulting in an improved immune system. So, if you would like to opt for probiotic diet supplements then look for the deals on these products available for you online to help you get the best.
 

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