Anyone try vsl#3?
#348484 - 07/27/09 02:46 PM
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mrae
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 481
Loc: California
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My pharmacist said they could order it for me but I wanted to get some feedback first. Has anyone tried this probiotic? I have tried Align, Kyo-Dophilus and my pharmacist said to try Acidophilus. So which would anyone suggest I try first the vsl#3 or the acidophilus? Any advice or comments? I take Librium 25mg a day and Lomotil as needed and just started Konsyl fiber 1tsp at night. So far I feel more stable but would like to add a probiotic to that.
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I would go with VSL over acidophilus. It might cost more though. VSL was the one my GI doc recommended.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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Did it help you at all?
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I only said he recommended it. I chose to take Align instead and it didn't help. I took it for three months.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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I thought this contained the same ingredient as Align... if you tried Align, you'd think they would work the same.... 
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So did you try it and it not work for you? Align didn't seem to do much for me at all.
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VSL#3 contains a variety of probiotics while Align only contains one. I have not seen any postings on the board from anyone who has taken VSL#3.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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What is VSL#3? I take it it is some strain of pro-biotic?
I have been taking numerous pro-biotics for an entire year and haven't felt much benefit. I currently take Align, Culturel, Garden of Life's "Primal Defense", Perma clear and Kyodopholus. I take all of these daily (usually).
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You take all those every day? I would think you would feel some relief but maybe they are just not going to work for you. I have tried Align, I have kyo-dophilus now so on to the next one but ready to give up on probiotics all together. Right now I take Librium and lomotil every day and I can actually go out and live normally so I think I will stick to that until it doesn't work anymore.
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VSL#3 is one of the few probiotics like Align that has been clinically tested on IBSers and found to be effective. VSL#3 contains a number of probiotics while Align only contains one. Unfortunately, Culturel, Primal Defense, Permaclear and Kyodopholus have not been clinically tested for IBS and may be of little benefit for managing IBS.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I take Align, but I read somewhere that it is better to take a probiotic which contains more than one strain. I wonder if that is true. VSL#3 contains more than one, so maybe that would better?
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Definitly stick to what is working for you. Lomitil made my mouth really dry and would only work for a little while so i stopped. Im sure i would feel better if i took the Lomitil and Immodium every day but i really want to find a better solution.
The one thing i can say about all the pro-biotics i take is that i haven't gotten a cold (not even sore throught) in a year. I always would get atleast one cold a year. The other thing is that i usually get acne (especially in the summer) and that has pretty much vanished alltogether. Unfortunetly it hasn't done anything for my IBS, haha.
Im going to try this VSL#3, what the heck, i already take 4 probiotics a day. Whats another one?
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It seems you can order it right off there website. Should i get the powder or pill form?
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It is a myth that many strains are better than one strain. There is some evidence beginning to emerge that some strains of probiotics may exacerbate certain disorders such as IBS. VSL#3 is a multistrain probiotic that has clinically tested on IBS. My understanding of the research findings is that Align is generally more effective than VSL#3 for IBS. Here is a link to a message I posted some time ago that give abstracts to various studies done on probiotics and IBS.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Ok thanks, glad you cleared that up. I will stick with the Align.
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I didnt't realize it came in pill or poweder form. What one are you going to try? I am going to also order some but not sure which would be better.
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No, I thought it was the same as Align. I read Syl's answer below and will try now that I know it contains the same plus additional. Align worked a little, I am now trying acidolphilus to see if can tell a difference. I think I do with the urgency, but can's say for sure, because I'm horrible with the diet thing and always eat something that is a trigger and then regret afterwards!
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See my pharmacist suggested I try acidolphilus also and I have some just haven't started them yet. I guess I could try it before buying anything else.
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I just purchased the pill form of VSL#3.
I also just bought something call Intestaid which contains nucleotides that help you gut reproduce the good healthy DNA cells in your intestines? Heres the site if anyone's interested... http://www.naturalhealingnow.com/intestaid.php
Some guy on another forum in the UK has been taking it (similar product) for the past few months and is 80% better. So i figured what the hell.
Im going to get to the bottom of whats causing my IBS and im going to get my life back one of these days, hopefully!
With all the things im taking, Vitamin D3, Super B, Omega 3, Pro-biotics, etc. I feel really healthy in general, probably the most healthy i have ever been. I even cured my acne. I just can't seem to get rid of this IBS!!!!
Edited by Borrelli (08/04/09 12:56 PM)
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