Does anyone know if the probiotic VSL#3 is available on prescription and has anyone had it prescribed by their GP specifically for IBS?

[whiteladder42]

I would be interested to hear answers too, since I would like to know exactly the same thing! My dietician had never heard of it...

[Cimmy]

I to would be interested to know the answer to this, I take symprove at the moment, which is absolutely fantastic, but on the downside very expensive

[Hidden in reply to Cimmy]

Hi Cimmy,

Glad to hear you have success with Symprove. I tried it over several months (same with many other brands) but it did nothing for me unfortunately.

Pagan

[MarkBrennan]

They are something that I am interested in too but I doubt GPs in the UK would prescribe them - if someone does get them from the do, I will ask my GP about them but not holding my breath. I see they include Bifidobacterium Infantis which I read has been helping some people with IBS.

There are some other cheaper products that contain it (often as products for kids) but in much lower quantities, Mightidophilus, iFlora, Bio-Kult,

I previously tried Mightidophilus-12 but there is a new nigh-strength one out that I might try ebay.co.uk/itm/Solaray-Supe...

The same company also make a powder called Babylife which is purely Bifidobacterium Infantis.

It is a while since I read up on it but one theory was that babies are born with plenty in their gut but the amount reduces as we age which can cause gut problems.

[whiteladder42]

Can I ask why you think a GP wouldn't prescribe them? They are listed in the BNF under dietary supplements for intolerances I think? They aren't much more expensive per month than the contraceptive pill I stopped taking, and if they work for even one of us would be more than worth it for the savings to the NHS and missed days of work.

[Hidden in reply to whiteladder42]

Hi whiteladder42,

I didn't know about the BNF, but looked it up and found that you're absolutely right in that VSL is prescribed for intolerances. If you look at the posts from cassie17 and Boogie on this thread though, you'll see that medics aren't very willing to hand it out. Madness, when doing so could save so much money in several ways as you say.

Pagan

[cassie17]

Hi,

I took this for awhile and it did help but cost almost £50 per month I ask my GP and he said NHS don't prescribe for IBS I also asked consultant at hospital and he said NHS only prescribe it for something called illium pouch (dont think thats correct spelling).I have also tried Symprove but this didn't help me at all.

[Hidden in reply to cassie17]

Thanks for your reply cassie17.

I've yet to find a probiotic that works, Symprove did nothing for me either. I was asking about the VSL hoping I could try it on prescription instead of shelling-out another load of cash only to find I've wasted it - I'm sure you know the story!

Pagan

[Boogie]

Hi,

I asked my GP months ago and was told the NHS does not prescribe them. However I know people with IBD's can get them on prescription! Guessing there is an evidence base and a cost saving giving them with IBD's but us IBS'ers for the moment loose out. Guessing its because they don't class it as a life shortening condition, just life limiting, and as so many people report feeling better taking anti depressants (alas so far I am not one of them) I think they will continue to class it as a functional disorder and therefore not worth costing the NHS money if 'its all in the head anyway'. Oh dear I'm sounding cynical – sorry, bad day.

[Hidden in reply to Boogie]

Hi Boogie,

Thanks very much for your reply. I wonder if this could be a postcode lottery-type decision and some health authorities prescribe whilst others don't. Think I'll see my GP next week and ask anyway, it's got to be worth a go and she's well used to me fighting my corner.

I've never tried anti-depressants (never been offered them either) and as I know full well none of this is 'in my head', I just don't want to start down that road.

... and IBS makes cynics of us all!

Pagan

[Boogie in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like you have a great GP Pagan. I figured try them as NICE guidelines recommends and as my sleep is affected too I figured why not try and if they had worked I would not be faulting them. There might be one out there that works for me but decreasing confidence with each one I try. I understand why you don't want to start on "that road" I didn't either but as all GP could offer I figured give it a go. You are inspiring me to think about stopping trying them. I'll give this latest one a full and fair trial but after that I think I'll give my body a rest from them. Thanks Pagan.

[Hidden in reply to Boogie]

I too have problems sleeping so my GP recently prescribed Temazepam, but they only work if I take 1.5 pills instead of the 1 I'm supposed to take! They give me about 5 hours unbroken sleep and then I usually manage to get a further hour on top of that. Before the pills, I was only managing 1 - 2 hours before waking, going for a pee and continuing like that through the night. I thought I'd had a really good night if I got 4 hours total sleep!

Pagan

[Boogie in reply to Hidden]

Ah, I know that feeling sooo well. I'm lucky and average the grand total of 4hrs broken sleep a night, experiencing between 9-12 awakenings. I tried Temazepam and 1 pill gave me an outstanding 8hrs sleep however I was like a "drunken sailor" the following morning - very happy, wobbly legs and a somewhat disordered gait pattern. Having tried it, I can see why people get addicted to them. For me a great pill, but the side effects mean I’m not safe to drive, or do anything that day really. Tried anti-histamines and other types of sleeping pills which did not improve my sleep either, hence tried the antidepressants. I appreciate the gut brain link and how they can influence each other so as they don't seam to be able to do a right lot for the source of the problem - gut - figure try calming the brain might at least help the sleep and might in turn slow down and calm the gut. Nice idea but not quite worked as planned so far.

My personal theory is its nothing more serious than a bacterial imbalance but as the little critters outnumber my cells 9 to 1 their ‘little imbalance’ has a big effect on my homeostasis and as the host to their little bacteria house party apart from taking probiotics there is little I can do to stop them trashing the house - my body. Yes contemplated nuking them with antibiotics but I understand that can lead to even more problems so its conservative management till I get a consultant with the guts to take em on...LOL!

[Hidden in reply to Boogie]

Amazing how drugs affect each of us so differently, took Temaz at 2am and got up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 7am, no daytime 'hangovers' whatsoever. My gastro discovered that, despite only weighing 53kg, I needed enough sedation for someone twice that size in order for her to get a camera down my throat!

Had some private stool tests done recently, each of which showed that my pH level was too alkaline thereby allowing bad bacteria to proliferate. I told the microbiologist that probiotics didn't make me feel any better and she said that the root cause of the baddies is low pancreatic function which should be treated with digestive enzymes as probiotics would have no effect on their own. Started on the enzymes a week ago (haven't got the dose quite right yet - spent a lot of yesterday in the bathroom - despite religiously fodmapping) and am just about to back them up with VSL#3, hence my original question. I keep trying!

Pagan

[Boogie in reply to Hidden]

I think I'd want/need double sedation to get a camera down my throat - I'm not looking forward to the day a gastro suggests that test.

Digestive Enzymes...I'll have to look into them as probiotic effects appear to have plateaued.

Good Look Pagan, I'll look out for your posts

[flanimals123 in reply to Boogie]

Well said it really does annoy me when many Doctors still see this chronic illness as mainly psychological .

[MarkBrennan]

I made the mistake of insisting on NO sedation for my gastroscopy. Although, not really painful, it was very scary and uncomfortable.

I am going to try some of the enzmes mentioned on another thread as it seems most are destroyed by stomach acid and need to be gastro resistant (which most aren't) apparently the same goes for probiotics.

[MarkBrennan]

PS - Shame we can't edit posts, as one thing I would recommend to anyone having gastroscopy/colonoscopy is to pick a private hospital on choose & book if you can. I have my Colonoscopies done at the Chaucer Hospital in Canterbury, although still not pleasant, at least you get a private room and even a sandwich menu! - the main benefit being the private bathroom, which is great if the Movicol is still working

Another bonus for me was due to having a genetic clotting disorder, rather than sitting in a ward full of people in a pir of tights and an ill fitting gown, they put a machine on my bed that moves my legs (how the other half live )

[jimb0123]

RE VSL3 If you do buy it I would recommend initially taking half sachay's for a couple of days. As I found VSL3 was too potent to begin with.

I guess there is a chance of the remaining half spoiling - if you buy directly from the VSL website they make a big deal of sending the package in a styrofoam box with a cooling gel bag to ensure that the bacteria don't get activated. I just fold the packet and stick a peg on it and put it back in the fridge.

I found that after a short run of VSL the effect lasts for 10-14 days without top up but drops off dramatically.

I also asked about prescription possibilities but was advised it's not a backed by the trust and evidence is mixed for IBS sufferers with some of the positive research being part funded by VSL3.

[Hidden in reply to jimb0123]

Yes, I'd read about the dose of VSL being too much for some people initially, so have been taking 1 sachet every other day which isn't giving me any problems.

In the thread above, members are saying that it is available on prescription, but not for IBS. As it's listed in the BNF for 'intolerances', I can't imagine why we can't get it.

[easy10062]

My gastroenterologist requested my GP to prescribe VSL#3 last June and it was given immediately. Unfortunately the local body that oversees what doctors can and cannot prescribe have just told my surgery that they can no longer give this on prescription. I am waiting for the reason for this decision but am assuming that it is cost. Any further treatment that I may need as a result of this is going to cost so much more. I cannot understand how these desk bound people think.

[philstarkie1966]

I have just been prescribed vsl3 by my doctor. I had c diff after addenbrookes gave me a double dose of augmentin after renal surgery. I have suffered for four years. finally they are doing something positive. I had my first sachet this morning. 1a day for 7 days and will steadily increase. to maximum of 4 a day. I hope it works. I dont feel to good right now

[Crispy468]

VSL#3 is not available on prescription for IBS, but the formulation has now changed and it is not the same as the original. The original formulation is now in another probiotic known as Vivomixx. This is available to buy in the UK but not officially available on prescrition for IBS

[Hidden]

Hi yes probiotic VSL#3 is available on prescription i been on it for 10 yrs