VSL#3

WHAT'S VSL#3 USED FOR?

http://www.vsl3.com/

According to the labeling, VSL#3 should be consumed for the dietary management of medically diagnosed ulcerative colitis (UC), an ileal pouch (J pouch) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

NOT YOUR AVERAGE PROBIOTIC

I've taken numerous probiotics in my life, but VSL#3 is super special stuff! Each capsule contains approximately 112 billion beneficial bacteria. Not thousands, not millions, but BILLIONS! The powder packets contain 450 billion bacteria per packet. Oh yes, VSL#3 is WAY more potent than the average probiotics that people use. The manufacturer brags that it was carefully designed to offer "an unusual degree of potency". This isn't just a probiotic folks; its technically a medical food! For those with allergy concerns: VSL#3 capsules are gluten free and vegetable based.  

RECOLONIZATION!

VSL#3 helps restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria. It has an extraordinary combination of bacteria that will inhabit and secure the GI tract with lots and lots of good stuff. Essentially its task is to help tip the scale of gut flora back in the proper direction. 

Ideally there should be more good bacteria than bad in the intestines... otherwise we become prone to bacterial overgrowth, which can lead to all sorts of unpleasant issues! VSL#3 works to protect the GI tract from harmful material that try to sabotage the intestinal lining. VSL#3 will take a minimum of at least 1 week to begin taking occupancy in the gut. However, it can take these friendly bacteria about 1 month to truly recolonize the gut.  

A RADICAL CHANGE
As I've mentioned previously, I was assumed to have chronic "Pouchitis" after my final gastrointestinal surgery. (Pouchitis is inflammation in the J pouch). I could/should write an entire page about Pouchitis sometime, but for now I'll just say that it was literally a huge pain in the butt for 2 years of my life. Once I started taking VSL#3, that pain disappeared! This probiotic has been a life changer for me! I swear by this stuff, and I don't swear, so that's a big deal!

PRESCRIPTION?
Although the manufacturers state that VSL#3 "must be used under medical supervision", no prescription is necessary for the packets or the regular capsules.  The regular strength capsules that I take are technically OTC (over the counter). However, doctors can write a prescription for it, so that patients can submit to insurance and also be able to claim the medical expenses on taxes. VSL#3 isn't common enough to be found on drugstore shelves yet, so the pharmacy places a special order for it. Note: The manufacturer also offers a double strength version (VSL#3 DS) which does require a script from a doctor.

CONSUMPTION

The powder version can be mixed into food or a beverage, as long as it's not taken with hot food or drink. Heat can inactivate the live bacteria...Thou shall not mix VSL#3 into hot cocoa!! It also shouldn't be mixed into any carbonated drink. I mixed the powder into water or juice before I switched to taking the capsules. The powder form has a lemon cream flavor, which to me tasted like orange. Sprinkling the powder into applesauce is a great idea as well.

STORAGE:

The label on the box states that it should be refrigerated and specifically kept between 36°-46°F. Manufacturers warn that, "If it is left at room temperature for long periods of time or exposed to excessive heat, the number of beneficial bacteria in VSL#3 can become greatly reduced". Duh - if you prefer to get the most benefit from VSL#3, keep those bacteria alive in the fridge!

TRAVELING WITH REFRIGERATED MEDS

When I travel, VSL#3 takes transit in this adorable/ridiculous pouch along with a cold ice pack. I searched everywhere looking for a small sized soft cooler before I stumbled upon this guy!

Yes, I'm a total nerd, and No, I'm not ashamed to
sport this dude on my backpack in an airport.

I recently took a few flights across the U.S. and I was concerned about getting my precious capsules and an ice pack through airport security. However, after some research (Thanks, Jim!), I found out that keeping medications with me could be an easy task... 

Step 1: 
Ice pack must be frozen solid. According to the FAA's website regulations, "Accessories required to keep medically necessary items cool are treated as liquids unless they are frozen solid at the check point." In other words, keep the ice pack in the freezer until the last possible moment before leaving for the airport. Clearly the guidelines have allowance for it.

Step 2: 
Declare to the screening officer that you possess a "medically necessary refrigerated medication" in your carry on, before they screen your belongings. The honesty policy makes sure you don't seem like you're trying to hide anything from them.

I know that sometimes the TSA has a reputation of being unreasonable with travelers. In which case, I invented:
Step 3 (optional):

Have in your possession a doctor's note stating the need to keep said refrigerated medication with you at all times. For example, "To whom it may concern, Due to a chronic medical condition, Kelsie must keep her refrigerated medications with her at all times. Thanks for your understanding. Signed, her doctor".  BAM. The idea behind the letter was a fail-safe, just in case my precious pills were treated unfairly or with any suspicion. 

I've flown 3 round trip flights with my refrigerated medication and haven't experienced any issues. Yay!

SIDE EFFECT:

The only unpleasant side effect (initially) is bloating. I couldn't believe how gassy it made me at first! It caused SO much discomfort at the beginning that I wanted to stop taking it altogether! I waited it out for a couple weeks and my body eventually adjusted to it. Supposedly this reaction is due to a drastic change in gut flora.

WILL IT WORK ALONGSIDE ANTIBIOTICS?

This question lacks a clear answer since theoretically antibiotics kill off the majority of both the bad and good bacteria. Its difficult to know how much good bacteria survive the annihilation. The suggested response is that as long as VSL is consumed in between antibiotic doses, it will have the best chance of working. For example, if antibiotics are taken every 12 hours, VSL should be taken 6 hours between doses. While I recently was on antibiotics I continued taking my probiotics. I'd decided to take my chances investing in something good, as opposed to solely injesting destructive antibiotics. Most doctors generally suggest taking PRObiotics while on ANTIbiotics anyhow.

I'd recommend VSL#3 to those who suffer with IBD, which is about 1.5 million people just in the U.S.A. (definitely ask your doc about it). My "chronic pouchitis" problems were helped immensely by VSL#3. I wish someone had told me about this stuff while I still had my large intestines!