UPDATING the SIBO post.

[Spiky Bugger]

Yes, I have SIBO, but IBS-D is about the same thing and has an IDC Code. So THAT'S whatI have!

The "end" (?) result is that I have changed my diet to REALLY cut down on fiber in my diet (jonesing for a salad here)...I take a 15mg (it used to be 30mg) PPI in the morning and an H2 blocker at night. AND, I now take 2 VSL#3 probiotics daily. They are expensive but somewhat magical.

Although the DS is/could be a contributing factor, I also "deliver" on three other factors...I'm old, I take PPIs and, most relevant, I take opioids...lots of them. (Because a lot of shit hurts and I can't take NSAIDs.)

The gut microbiome is a fascinating area...

 

[hilary1617]

Hope you are feeling okay. How's the healing going?

 

[bearmom]

The difference between the vsl3 and vsl3-ds, is that the ds is double strength and prescription. Because it's prescription, my insurance covers the more potent one. I'm assuming your is as well since you mention the coding? The vsl probiotics also make amazing yogurt with half&half, if you like yogurt, and give you more bang for your buck with them. I hope the probiotics help you get past the SIBO.

 

[JackieOnLine]

2 VSL#3 probiotics

this is the first I've heard of VSLs (or any specific probiotics) but if they work - let alone are magical - I'm sure they are worth it.

I want to get my PPI intake down but I can't. SIBO is scary!

 

[JackieOnLine]

as long as we are on the subject of gut microbiome

Mouse Study Finds Stress Can Take Physical Toll as Badly as Junk Food

“Stress can be harmful in a lot of ways, but this research is novel in that it ties stress to female-specific changes in the gut microbiota,” Bridgewater said."

 

[Spiky Bugger]

The difference between the vsl3 and vsl3-ds, is that the ds is double strength and prescription. Because it's prescription, my insurance covers the more potent one. I'm assuming your is as well since you mention the coding? The vsl probiotics also make amazing yogurt with half&half, if you like yogurt, and give you more bang for your buck with them. I hope the probiotics help you get past the SIBO.

My insurance company says it's not on the Medicare Rx formulary...and...it is available otc from what I can tell.

Some online support groups discussed it and one member said that she was turned down for the powder written as 30 packets, but rewritten for 20 packets, it went through.

So weird. Flonase is available otc now. But my insurance still covers it. Go figure.

 

[Jbandmmomma]

My insurance company says it's not on the Medicare Rx formulary...and...it is available otc from what I can tell.

Some online support groups discussed it and one member said that she was turned down for the powder written as 30 packets, but rewritten for 20 packets, it went through.

So weird. Flonase is available otc now. But my insurance still covers it. Go figure.

I've ordered it online from retailers on Amazon. There are 3 versions. I don't get the packets anymore (I did the first time). I get VSL 3. It's sort of the in-the-middle-of-the-road version. I used it specifically when I had a few months of multiple rounds of very very strong antibiotics and a chronic anal fistula. It helped keep me out of antibiotic associated diarrhea. I have a rotation now of a group of 3 or 4 products that have been keeping my guts happy. I will write more later. This stuff I firmly believe has kept me from c diff.

 

[bearmom]

My insurance company says it's not on the Medicare Rx formulary...and...it is available otc from what I can tell.

Some online support groups discussed it and one member said that she was turned down for the powder written as 30 packets, but rewritten for 20 packets, it went through.

So weird. Flonase is available otc now. But my insurance still covers it. Go figure.

I convinced my Dr that I'm a special flower that could only get by with the strong stuff, so prescription only. My co-pay for that is less than paying for the OTC stuff outright, and well, I'm cheap. I just whine till my Dr doesn't want to hear me anymore and gets what I want - I'm getting really good at that.

After a recent trip abroad, I caught what may have started as a cold, but progressed to secondary BS in inner ears, tonsils and lungs. It's the worst bout of crud I've had in probably a decade, and had to take antibiotics to get over it. When I went off of those, I only had one cheapo type probiotic with me, and thought I'd wait till I got home to mix the others back into rotation. I have never had such bloating, and relentless discomfort. How my abdomen didn't explode on one of those flights is beyond me. Getting back on my rotating trio immediately cleared things up. I can usually go for a while without them when I've been on them a while, but not with antibiotics, and I'll never leave the US without VSL3 ds ever again.

I'm hoping you update and are feeling better.

 

[revisionDS]

Sigma-tau requires a RX for VSL#3DS due to the strength. Amazon is not a vendor for VSL#3DS and Sigma-tau does not stand by products purchased there. Sigma-tau has a 800# for medical management. I have been taking VSL#3DS for years, at CVS for $5 a month. It requires pre-authorization from my PCP which is good for a year at a time, anthem BCBS. I have posted many times about VSL#3DS on this site, to me it is a miracle.

 

[Jbandmmomma]

wow. copay jealousy here.

 

[DSRIGGS]

I have honestly never tried to see if my insurance will pay for VSL or not. I haven't tried that stuff because it is expensive and I take 3 PDU daily & seems to be fine.