Please tell me about VSL #3 and other high-quality probiotics

Hi cd3764!-

I am so sorry to hear about your mom dealing with c-diff. and other health issues.

I am currently taking : Ultimate Flora critical care 50 billion.

It has Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum. Total Bifido Probiotic Culture 30 billion.

It also has Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Total Lacto Probiotic Cultures 20 billion.

I don't know if Bifido is the same as Bifidum/Bifidus?

I have been taking this probiotic ever since I started my oral antibiotics. I am also taking another one, but the Ultimate Flora has more strains. I have very rarely had any issues with diarrhea.

Best Wishes!

I've used vsl3 capsules, (112billion in ONE cap) for two years. You need to shop around for a good price. I found a local pharma that has a suppliments sale once per month, its $60 for 60 caps, and they get it and keep it in the fridge.

Its best to keep this one in the fridge.

Here's whats in it: www.vsl3.com/discover/

I have no issues with it, other brands I have though (no details given!). Its whatever agrees with you.

okay - I looked it up:

www.powerofprobiotics.com/VSL3.html

The ones that start with B. are bifidobacterium -same as bifidus?

B. breve Y8
B. longum Y10 (recently reclassified as B. lactis)
B. infantis Y1

Thanks for all the input and support!!! I knew I could count on you guys!

I was jamming with probiotic internet research/ checking pharmacy availability while my sister was at the doctor's office with my mother so we could come up with a probiotic my sister could buy in a pharmacy near Mom and the doctor could write out the prescription for it. The latter part of the afternoon/early evening have been insane today lol

I just didn't have the time to pursue the bifidobacterium and bifidum angle then and just did so now:

www.powerofprobiotics.com/Bifidobacterium-bifidum.html

They are obviously not the same and the bifidum/us isn't in many probiotic brands as far as I can see....and I don't understand why.

The stuff Girlie took and the other her LLND recommends contains it....why not other brands?

I'm aware of the fact that some probiotics contain unproven strains but I really don't know what those strains are.....and I don't know how to tell if any particular brand has the "right stuff". I've just been going on recommendations.

The GP went with something similar to Little Bear's: Extra Care Ultimate Flora because it has 50 billion organisms but he only wrote the prescription for one cap dail.....and the package label says two so Mom will only be getting 25 billion daily - ugh!

Thanks so much for typing out the strains, Little Bear - I'm going to compare your version to Mom's...tomorrow :) Too many similar-looking words at too late and hour after too crazy a day for me to even consider doing now. lol

I figured the VSL3 was pricey and I, too, found it on Amazon. (great minds think alike, Mister Mike and I thank you for checking:)

Believe it or not, it's not as expensive as I thought it would be (I was thinking in excess of $100). When I think about my earlier days of treatment, I was taking 4 different brands of probiotics each day and I spent more than what VSL3 costs. Happy for you, astroman, that it's helping.

Umm....astroman - if you think the VSL DS has a lot of bacteria, have a small bowl of home-made kefir - up to 5 trillion ;) I consume the stuff daily now and am saving a LOT of money on probiotics.

Again, VSL3 doesn't have bifidus....and neither does the stuff the GP has my mother taking now.

He has me paranoid about pushing for the VSL3.....the only adverse reactions I'm finding are bloating and flatulence. Small price to pay IMHO for a chance at better immune health.

I use to take the VSL#3 capsules, which I agree was pricey at $50 per bottle back 3 to 4 years ago. I then switched to the prescription strength DS which has like 900 billion live culture per package. The script copay cost me $40 per month, and when GI issues are mild, I can take 1/2 a pack per day to further stretch my budget.

Check with your Rx plan... some providers will not cover VSL#3 DS.

tickbite666 said...
I use to take the VSL#3 capsules, which I agree was pricey at $50 per bottle back 3 to 4 years ago. I then switched to the prescription strength DS which has like 900 billion live culture per package. The script copay cost me $40 per month, and when GI issues are mild, I can take 1/2 a pack per day to further stretch my budget.

Check with your Rx plan... some providers will not cover VSL#3 DS.

Thanks so much tickbite!!!

You are right about the cost of VSL #3 DS - Mom's GP said her insurance would never cover it.

I'm so very sorry to hear this. Many positive thoughts for you and her, Cd!!

But you should still get her on a probiotic to prevent another occurrence of the C-diff. Saccharomyces boulardii is the most recommended on this forum by those that have had C-diff.

Traveler said...
I'm so very sorry to hear this. Many positive thoughts for you and her, Cd!!

But you should still get her on a probiotic to prevent another occurrence of the C-diff. Saccharomyces boulardii is the most recommended on this forum by those that have had C-diff.

Thanks so much, Trav!

Oh, I agree about the Saccharomyces boulardii - that was one of the strains I told my sister about. At this point, I don't know what's going to happen.

If they decide as much, the hospital might continue with the Ultimate Flora stuff Mom was supposed to start last night.

I fear things will be snowballing.

Maybe a little late but I've been on VSL #3 DS for a few months. I only take half a sachel (450 billion organisms). I don't think the amount is that big a deal as there are something like 100 trillion of these things floating around our gut I thought I heard somewhere. I went with the prescription DS because it was covered by insurance and ended up being cheaper than OTC which is half the organisms. Has worked well for me thus far.

I do Ultimate Flora but I am not 88 yet.

Just as an FYI from a former delivery person. Do not order anything that needs refrigeration in the summer if you live in a warm climate. Delivery trucks can get super hot.

Cd-

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She has been through so much already.

Sending you many (((hugs!)))

Thanks so much everyone!!! You guys are awesome!

Mom is dealing with some internal bleeding and the hospital took her off her Coumadin. (scary because she has atherosclerosis and had 2 strokes in 2012 which is why she finally agreed to go on it). Blood work indicates that the bleeding has slowed somewhat.

They have her on IV morphine so she's comfortable. We'll know more tomorrow.

The prayers and good thoughts are very much appreciated.

And, I have many g-r-e-a-t probiotic suggestions to run by her doctor - thanks!!!!