Probiotics .. Do they actually help with uc ??

I guess I should have said that there is only very weak data to support VSL#3 use for treatment of UC, not that there is no data at all.

That's a small study, too small by far, and too short in duration. It was also paid for by the manufacturer. What's more, as your summary says, "physician's rate of disease activity... and endoscopic scores...did not show statistical differences." But it did appear to help symptoms.

I have no problem with people trying it - I tried it myself many years ago.

No doubt you can find some small, underpowered studies that show benefit.

You just can't find large, multi-center studies that show statistically strong benefit.

Because if you *could* find such studies, you'd also find the manufacturer asking the FDA for approval of VSL#3 as a first-line treatment for UC. It's telling that that isn't the case.

Interesting point, beave. Is it even possible for the FDA to approve a "medical food" as a first line treatment? Or any probiotic for that matter? I know nothing about it.

My experience with probiotics, either strong ones like VSL3 or any other probiotic, is that it's compensating for the incredibly poor environment of our gut, yet doesn't address the underlying problem. It's the equivalent of putting brand new goldfish in a tank with toxic water. They'll live for a while, but will die off because the environment is so hostile and doesn't allow them to breed on their own, so we keep having to dump more live fish in.

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Diagnosed UC 2009 - Moderate Pancolitis since 2015.
April 2017 stopped Lialda after 5 years, in remission after 6 months Qing Dai (3grams daily) + 60mg sulforaphane (140g brocolli sprouts, juiced) + good multivitamin, fish oil, CBD oil, cardio and other odds and ends.

You can only lead a horse to water...

Mixing with something thick like yogurt or applesauce is best. I am used to it so I just stir it in with juice. Grape juice or orange juice works well because they are very sweet. Start with a very small amount. Maybe 1/4 packet. Work your way up to the recommended dose from there. There is usually a guide included.

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Diagnosed Proctosigmoiditis (UC) 2015
Hiatial Hernia w/ GERD
Current Meds: Lialda 1.2gm 2x daily, duloxetine, rowasa as needed, VSL3 occasionally, One a Day Multi-Vitamin, Curcumin occasionally
Did SCD for about 2 years but lost willpower

Im a bit confused , have i brought a load of crap then ??? Do i not take this ,and get the other one ??? I dont want to be taking Jekyll gear !!

Im confused now i have not got a scooby what to do now ??

I missed the delivery of my vsl on weds and never got to pick it up until friday and it went straight into the fridge so its been out of the fridge for 56 hrs , is it still use able ???

Bacillus soil bacteria, and soil based organisms help me a lot.
There is some research about it, from 2014, I believe. It says that this type of bacteria stays in gut and colonize much better. Also, has healing properties. If I find it, I will share. Anyway, I do use probiotics, only at the night time before going to bed; I have found it very helpful.

Probiotics have been a godsend for me. I am intolerant of imuran (uncontrollable vomiting to the point I have to be hospitalized) which rules out that class of drug and prednisone gives me the most terrible bladder pain (I have interstitial cystitis). So that has left me with VSL#3 to manage my flares and for the most part it does. But my UC has always been responsive to probiotics and responded well to fecal transplant.

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Mild-Mod UC - diagnosed 1995; antiphospholipid syndrome - diagnosed 2014; painful bladder - diagnosed 2003
Meds: Mezavant ; enoxaparin

Check out Pro 50 by Vitamin Bounty I believe it is. They are actually very beneficial: they help with digestion and stool and bloating. Probiotics can either work or not. It really depend on the person. But in the end, all of us need better gut bacteria. Just depends on how much and which ones.

Merry Christmas and hopefor the best: I’m on Entyvio and 50gm of azothioprine (weaning off). I am in very good condition. Best I have ever been.

Ideally your uc symptoms improve that'd be a good sign. Increased gas and bloating are the only bad side effects I've heard of. Like most things uc, give it a fair chance of about 1-month and assess your progress or lack thereof. Should be at least some signs of progress by then.

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Moderator Ulcerative Colitis
John, 40, UC Proctosigmoiditis
Rx: Remicade @5mgs/kg/6wks; daily 75mgs 6MP, 4.8g generic-Lialda, and rowasa
If you fart really loudly in public, just yell "jet-power" and walk faster

I have no symptoms anymore at all just sick when i take aza.... I was hopind by taking probiotics it would just help making remission stay longer and stronger ?? Or should i not take them full stop as there is no flares or symptoms as i might risk messing my tract up ??