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!

The In's and Out's

Over the past 8 years there have been many things that I've longed to diverge in. There were some opportunities that I had to watch pass me by while I sat on the sidelines. On the occasions that I felt decent enough to partake in activities, those times often felt few and far between. Yet my God knew just what I needed, and at the times when I needed it the most, He breathed a breath of fresh life into me.

BOARDIN'

One activity that I missed out on for a couple years was snowboarding. I'm not a professional by any means, but I've been boarding for over 12 years and I must say: nothing else makes me feel quite so free as when I'm carving down the mountains. During the year of my surgeries, my sliced up abs didn't permit any snowboarding. Another year I was forbidden to snowboard when I was taking Coumaden (blood thinner medication). Doctors cautioned me that if I got a concussion, my brain might bleed to death. I suppose that's fair reasoning.

Every winter season now that I get to roll in the snow while strapped to a piece of wood is pure, white JOY.

ROCKIN'
Another thing I missed out on at times was going to punk rock shows. Music has always been a huge part me. There's something genuine about rocking out with a favorite band when they're 2 feet away, singing lyrics I relate to. 

Oh yes, in my life I've attended a lot of concerts where I nearly pooped my pants...cuz when you have IBD, Colitis, or Crohns, there comes a point where you say, "Body, you're falling apart, but that's not going to stop me!". 

For at least 1 full year after my final surgery, I got THE worst side ache if I jumped up and down or even simply jogged! I felt so pathetic! Even after my stitches were all healed up, my abs were total weak sauce! Nowadays, its such a privilege being able to bounce around and even mosh again.

ALAS NOT ALL THINGS LAST...
Oh yes, there are a number of things that I'm thrilled to be able to enjoy again. Yet at the same time, life is oh so different since everything transpired. While I've regained some activities that were put temporarily on hold, I've also lost other things, possibly indefinitely. For example: HIKING...

It would probably be a realistic assumption to say that I might never go hiking again. Why, you may ask? Ever since my proctectomy (removal of my rectum), my external butt skin is way more irritable and I don't enjoy long distance walking! To say the least, there's an annoying chaffing that takes place, which drives me absolutely crazy! Partially to blame is the fact that without a colon, food is more acidic, which causes burning issues when food exits. Maybe things will improve in a few years, but if not, then I guess I'm cool with being a lazy bum cuz of my dumb bum.

Favorite boy and I hiking up to L&C caverns

I did however, visit Lewis and Clark Caverns 1 year after my >Takedown surgery<. I conquered the steep climb up the mountain trail that lead to the entrance. I overcame the multiple mile hike inside the underground caverns. With that proof under my belt, I'm not saying that I won't ever hike. Let's just say that it has moved down to the bottom of my "to-do" list (along with running a marathon). 

Well hello, I'm underground!

P.S. -->If you're ever near Butte, MT: Lewis and Clark Caverns is probably the most magical place you'll ever encounter.  
P.S.S.-->If you're claustrophobic, don't bother because you won't be able to handle the awesomeness.
BYE BYE, JOB

Another thing I have chosen to say "goodbye" to is, err was, my occupation.

I waited tables for 10 years and truly enjoyed it. And I'm not saying that just because I made bank on tips! I really enjoyed serving people and getting to interact with the customers. So why did I give up the gig? To be vague about it, it just wasn't as easy after my surgeries. No, I'm not referring to carrying heavy trays or anything like that. I could perform the job just fine, but overall, the demands just took a toll on my body. In case you didn't know, waiting tables on a busy afternoon can be quite a work out, which requires staying hydrated. Now remember that without large intestines, its not as easy to stay hydrated (since one of the colon's main jobs was absorbing water). Without my colon, I can't just chug a gallon of water and magically be hydrated anymore! J-pouches don't work like that. Keeping my job was taking me an entire day to re-hydrate after a shift. In the end, I resolved that doing what I loved wasn't worth it anymore. Sigh*

MXPX - Stay On Your Feet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHfFGSBlO3c

Clearly life will be full of changes. It will contain both struggles and disappointments, victories and rejoicing. It will be full of up's and down's, as well as in's and out's. For me there will likely be flare up's with disease in the coming years. Just 4 days ago my pain level was 11/10 due to a recurrent infection in my guts. I also have lame-o Crohn's disease, and that's not going to change (unless some genius figures out a cure). But in spite of this knowledge, I've determined to live my life out as best I can. God willing I will ride more snow, rock more shows and keep pressing on.