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VSL#3

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/23/2009 2:05 PM (GMT -5)
I found an old post on here saying that VSL#3 might be available as a prescription.  However, I can't find any mention of it on my insurance company's website.  Can anyone share any info on this?


For those of you who have tried it, did it help?

For those of you who currently take it, how much do you take, where do you buy it, and how much does it cost? 

I am currently using Culturelle, which is Lactobacillus GG.  I think it might be what put me into a short-term remission in December.  Why it's not working now, though, I can't say...maybe my condition wasn't so severe at first.  Anyway, I'm considering giving the VSL#3 a try. 

Posted 2/23/2009 2:21 PM (GMT -5)
i got a script from my doc and took it to costco...saved me on the tax and they gave me a tiny discount but it was still expensive.
it was also very hard on my stomach...i had to stop taking it.
Posted 2/23/2009 4:36 PM (GMT -5)
The only VSL#3 that I've found was at a health food store. It was about a tablespoon of powder in the refrigerator for $3.99 a package. I mix it in with juice and it tastes pretty good. I only use a tiny bit. The owner said to try a tiny pinch at first. He said he's in good health and he tried the whole package and said he spent 2 days in the bathroom.

I've been taking the probiotic that's in my signature for the past year however.
Posted 2/23/2009 4:50 PM (GMT -5)
I've been taking the capsules for around 6 months. At first, when I found the right amount for me (8 caps a day) it was working great. When I tried to reduce the amount I was taking, VSL#3 just doesn't seem to work as well. I have never been able to find any info about the prescription strength either, except what I read about here at HW. Since it really does exist, check with your insurance about maybe adding it, or even just okaying it for you. I heard one woman here say she told her insurance her doctor was recommending either VSL#3 or starting her on Remicade...the VSL#3 was okayed very soon after that. lol
Posted 2/23/2009 5:03 PM (GMT -5)
My insurance companies website has a search so I can look up what precsriptions it covers. They don't cover the prescription vsl3 ds so I bought the regular one. It worked great at first. I felt back to pre UC normal. The effects only lasted a few days though so I tried taking more but it didn't help. I've been trying other probiotics since then with no real improvement.
Posted 2/23/2009 6:35 PM (GMT -5)
I got an Rx for it and it doesn't seem to be covered. Apparently there is some slight coverage for the powder, but I do not do well on the powder whereas I tolerate the capsules well- the powder has some significant fillers in it as best as I can tell. I am buying some regularly but also relying on others for diversity. But the VSL3 with the uncovered Rx at least can be deducted from my flexible spending account, so I save on income tax for that portion.
Posted 2/23/2009 6:40 PM (GMT -5)
if you take the script to costco it won't save much, BUT they will not charge you sales tax with the script and they gave me a discount for 4 bottles of capsules...i think it was still about $160 though...
Posted 2/23/2009 7:44 PM (GMT -5)
You should call your insurance and ask. My co-pay for VSL#3 DS ended up being around $30.

Before, I was taking one capsule per day; getting it through prescription is cheaper for me and I get more of the bacteria cultures.

Can you put the VSL powder in any drink?

 

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