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Reply to "Pouch Scope went well; have questions"

Pouchitis is the same thing as Pouch inflammation. There are multiple causes of pouchitis, and that is where it gets tricky. If she only ordered probiotics (VSL#3), then the inflammation is not very serious. VSL#3 has been shown to help sustain remission or treat mild pouchitis, but not severe or very active pouchitis. Cuffitis usually involves some rectal bleeding, but not always.

If your doctor prescribed VSL#3DS, that is the double strength, and is available by prescription only. If you use the cheaper stuff, you will have to double the dose, or more, depending on which type you buy. You may have to contact your insurance directly to see if the DS type is covered.

That said, doctors don't fret about cost, insurance, etc. So, you will need to tell her about the cost and ask what the alternatives are. Generally, probiotics are for the long term, not just a short course, so you need something realistic that you can stick with and can afford. A treatment is no good if you cannot be compliant with it. There are ALWAYS alternatives, so don't accept it if she says that is all she can suggest.

The fact that your symptoms improved quickly with Imodium and Gas-X really does not rule out or in any particular diagnosis. It just means it was not severe. When I have full blown pouchitis, no amount of Imodium makes any difference.

Hope you find out soon what is going on, but I am sure you are happy things are improving with your self treatment!

Jan Smiler
Last edited by Jan Dollar
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