http://www.ei-resource.org/ 2161-450 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-%11-nutritional-supplements/probiotics-&-prebiotics/vsl%233-(vsl-pharmaceuticals,-inc)/ I have had ulcerative colitis for many years and try not to take medication. I have used VSL3 for 6 months now and I have found a good improvement to the symptoms. However, I want to know if VSL3 can make you constipated? My diet is good and I try to drink a lot of water but I don't know if it is coincidental but since taking one sachet a day, the symptoms have definitely improved but the stools are harder and that makes me nervous about going to the toilet. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I cut down to half a sachet every other day but the symptoms started to reappear..so I am going to try half a sachet every day! I am trying to get the balance right!! I do feel very positive about VSL3 though!!! ]]> Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:20:15 +0000 2161-210 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-%11-nutritional-supplements/probiotics-&-prebiotics/vsl%233-(vsl-pharmaceuticals,-inc)/ I have suffered from both fungal (Candida) and bacterial intestinal overgrowth to a severe degree for many years as a result of antibiotic use and the immune dysfunction caused by chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Over the years I have tried a number of probiotic products that have certainly altered the composition of my gut flora to some degree as I have experienced tell-tale die-off reactions while taking them. However, none of these probiotic products significantly reduced my gut symptoms of bloating, gas, and alternating constipation and diarrhoea. VSL#3 is different. After taking two packets a day for around a month I really did notice a difference. This is no doubt down to the fact that VSL#3 contains far more probiotic bacteria than other products (450 billion per packet) and has been proven effective for a number of gastrointestinal disorders in clinical trials. There are however, a few downsides. First off VSL#3 is expensive. For me at the present it is prohibitively expensive, especially using two packets per day. Also, it is a dairy-based probiotic which is a problem for me as both dairy and gluten affect my concentration and cause of symptoms associated with cognitive dysfunction. Despite these reservations, I would certainly recommend that anyone with gastrointestinal issues give this product a trial. ]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:59:20 +0000