CDiff?

I just spent the summer battling CDiff. I have not heard of that procedure but I’m very interested. This has been one of the hardest illnesses I have ever had. I hope you are feeling better.

Hi @larmstrong463. It is great to see you comment on Mayo Clinic Connect. I notice this discussion was created by @fr33dom7 some time ago. I tagged both of you so you have better chances of seeing updates here.

I searched the Connect homepage for Fecal Microbiota Transplant, where related discussions are happening. You may want to scroll through and learn more from other members.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/comments/
Here is a summary of ways to treat CDiff you mention battling in case there are other options you could consider.
-C. difficile recurrence: Treatments that help https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthygut/c-difficile-recurrence-treatments-that-help/
I notice in this article from June, 2025, “fecal microbiota transplantation is still considered experimental and only allowed by the FDA under certain circumstances known as enforcement discretion.

To receive a transplant, you need to identify someone willing to serve as a stool donor. The person undergoes a strict screening process. Some medical centers may have stool banks or access to donor stool. Once the donor is approved, the donor’s stool is collected, mixed with saline water and filtered. Then the stool mixture is transferred into your colon, most commonly through a thin, flexible tube with a small camera at the tip called a colonoscope.”

I also found that Mayo Clinic has nine related research studies listed with varying participation criteria. I would think they, or someplace with similar work happening would be good places for you to pursue fecal transplantation, as they would know how to work within current restrictions/guidelines.

You mention this is one of the hardest illnesses you have ever had. What is making it so difficult for you? What treatments have to tried? Would Mayo Clinic be an option for you?

Look up Dr Ari Grinspan at Mt Sinai, New York. This is his specialty. Watch some of his videos- he is a great doctor.

Newly diagnosed w C Diff due to “preventative antibiotics “ for a derm procedure 5 wks ago. I never heard of this infection before now but Dr Google educates! Long list of med professionals saw no urgency in my earlier symptoms of high fever/diarrhea/fatigue until I insisted on fecal testing 13 days later. Vanco worked but gave me a horrific debilitating stiff neck and shoulders after six days. Maybe anxiety and getting no medical direction didn’t help. Wondering if now I have a reoccurrence after 1wk off Vanco, or did I expand the diet too much too soon? Back to BRAT diet but that’s not yet working. Will see dietitian and GI specialist soon but I miss real food and feeling like myself, which was athletic and very healthy as a retiree. Is this now the new normal, constant hyper-thinking on this? No more fun socializing midst great food ? Is it like C Diff is “in remission “ until someday it shows up? This is all so unbelievable and honestly scary. Walking on eggshells yet can’t eat the yummy omelet.

Hello,

I just joined the group and saw your post. I had CDiff about 3 or 4 times back around 2010 or so. My wife had it a bunch of times. We were both treated at Mass General Hospital in Boston with what they call a stool transplant. It sounds gross. But it worked for both my wife and I . They take a small stool sample from a donor stool and they send it to a lab at the hospital to be procced. (I'm not sure how). They place the sample in a pill capsule that you swallow while at the hospital under supervision. The sample is frozen inside the pill capsule. It has no taste at all. You just swallow it quickly. Within a week or 10 days you stool is reset I guess you call it to all new good gut bacteria. I haven't had CDiff since then. My wife use to go to another hospital in Boston. But they wouldn't use the CDiff Stool transplant for whatever reason. So my wife transfered her care to Mass Geneal Hospital. I hope this helps.