Dear Dr. Jeff,

I am starting the McCombs plan anew. I am currently repeating week 8 of the plan.

Since I have a prescription for VSL#3 DS, I have been taking my prescription 3 times per day during the 1st part of the plan as well. I just want to be sure that this form of probiotic is not going to set me back on the plan, even if I take it during the beginning. The ingredients in it are:
Primary Ingredients: VSL#3-DS contains 1 strain of Streptococcus, 3 strains of bifidobacterium, and 4 strains of lactobacillus.
Inactive Ingredients: Maltose, silicon dioxide.

http://www.vsl3.com/discover/

Hopefully I have not set myself back with that maltose ingredient. I took it 3-4 times per day for the 1st 3 weeks of the plan, and now again repeating week 8.

My questions are:

1. Is it okay for me to take the VSL#3 DS during the 1st part of the plan as well, or have I set myself back? If I have set myself back, how much please? I took a break from it between end of week 3 and beginning week 8.

2. This is probably the 5th or 6th time I am doing the plan within the last 5 years. I found that I have a bad metal problem, which may be the cause of the constant annihilation of my good flora. I have some occasions that I really would like to be able to have some alcoholic beverages. Wine, or spirits with club soda. Since I seem to have to be so often on the plan, it is really hampering my social life, and I would like to plan a nice birthday trip to Las Vegas.

There was one evening during week 4 that I had 4 glasses of wine. The next day I was back on plan like normal. Additionally, I have been taking Nystatin since I have a prescription for some months.

Also, I ran out of Candida Force during week 7. I reordered, and well, I got it 4 days later. So I missed candida Force then, and missed my probiotics as well for about 7 days during week 7.

How much have I set myself back please. I'm still taking Nystatatin concurrently, and want to plan the week of my birthday trip, when I will be able to drink alcohol.

I am willing to give up the additional food add ins after week 9 if it will help me get to a sooner alcohol intake so I can take my trip closer to my actual Birthday.
So, what this means is I can live on week 1-8 food, add in raisins and peanuts and vinegar and juices on week 9, and maintain that all the way to my Birthday, which would fall during week xyz? Would this speed things up for me?.

Remember, I am also willing to add Diflucam if it will help me get there faster .

Is this going to be possible for me? Pretty please?

Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it.

Kind Regards,
Starlet