Anyone had Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for C Difficile?

Saw my Gastroenterologist on April 7. He has done FMTs, but he said he hasn't done an FMT since before Covid started.

I have had c.diff ten times over the last five years. I’ve taken Vancomycin, Dificid, two rounds of tapering Vancomycin, and a Zinplava infusion. Both my gastroenterologist and infectious disease doctors have recommended a fecal transplant. I have a redundant colon which prevents a complete colonoscopy. Can a fecal transplant be done in a redundant colon? If so, does it affect the success rate of the fecal transplant?

FMT is introduced in numerous ways. It seems that done as a colonoscopy is ideal. But it’s done by enema and oral capsule forms where expert GI is unavailable. From what I have read and the type of C Diff and antibiotic therapy you’ve needed, an FMT done as well as possible regardless of colon anatomy in your case is going to be your best step. And it might need to be done more than once. I’m not an expert, but read a bit about C Diff and therapies to treat it. FMT may help you.

Hi @jdh, good questions. In addition to @david2022's response, I thought I'd move your post to this related and very relevant discussion:
- Anyone had Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) for C Difficile?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fecal-transplant-1/

I did this so you can read the previous posts and connect easily with other members who have had FMT like @pines @sandyabbey @chatticathi @ngorman25 @kaylasills and others.

You might also find the information in this related discussion helpful:
- Cleaning before Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Cdiff.: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/248618/

I recommend asking the gastroenterologist about the success rate of FMT in people with redundant colon. That's a very valid question.

I hope it’s not clindamycin since that drug is notorious for causing severe C. Diff which can be life threatening.

The FDA has a black box warning in the prescribing information for clindamycin (Cleocin). That represents the highest alert for physicians and patients about this antibiotic. It says in part:

“Because clindamycin hydrochloride therapy has been associated with severe colitis which may end fatally, it should be reserved for serious infections where less toxic antimicrobial agents are inappropriate…”

I had an FMT about 3 months ago and am doing very well. All cdiff symptoms gone. It is a free study being done by the Metropolitan Infectious Disease Center in Burr Ridge, IL, and they pay me...I am so grateful I found them, my life was going downhill... Good luck....

@beckyt I, too, had an fmt 3 1/2 years ago after dealing with 4 bouts of cdiff for 6 months. I believe it saved my life! I still worry that if I get sick, I'll have to have antibiotics. What I don't understand is why they make you keep taking vancomycin over and over again before they offer the fmt. I believe it's the drug companies that control the situation. If they let you have the fmt after the first bout of cdiff, no one would be taking vancomycin! Just my opinion.

I was hospitalized for 16 Days in 2020 for severe Cdiff, Toxic Megacolon, Lymphocytic Colitis. Dr's were considering Surgery .
I was started on Flagyl IV, Vancomycin IV for several days. Neither seemed to be making a difference. Then my Infectious Disease Doctor started Dificid. Within 2-3 days I was significantly better. I was released having lost approximately 20 lbs. I was instructed to finish my Dificid at Home and come to the ID Dr for an IV on Zinplava (a very expensive Monoclonal Antibody Medicine-(Had to be approved by Medicare before they would pay for it). I then went for my First FMT ON 1-28-21. I did fairly well until January 2022, when I had another episode of Cdiff. Took another round of Dificid at home per my Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor. He said since my Stools were fairly normal, no FMT this time.
Again In April 2022 I had another Cdiff episode. Was put on Dificid again. Also had Second FMT , an attempted to take 2nd round of Zinplava and had a bad reaction after IV first started so the ID Doc stopped.

Fast forward to August 24th 2022 another Cdiff episode. Back on Dificid for 10 days. No Zinplava this time . Went for 3rd FMT on September 9th, 2022. So far so good. But really beginning to wonder if there is ever an ending point to this awful Disease.
FYI, my Gastroenterologist was in agreement to all this Treatment the whole way through. Sorry so long, but it's been a long road just to this point. Anyone else experienced this seemingly never-ending saga with their Cdiff?
I have tried all sorts of Dietary ideas. It really doesn't seem to make any difference what I eat the end result is always the same. Cdiff again.

Hello Pixie1960,
Have they put you on any probiotics?