Fecal transplants/probiotic enemas

I just completed 5 faecal transplants (1 via colonoscope and 4 via enema), but mine were done in a clinic not at home. In my case, I had a supposed c.diff infection and FTs have shown 100% cure rate for c.diff.

My symptoms were very mild to begin with so it's hard to judge whether FTs helped me. I think I did too few to see any benefit to my UC, but I probably killed off the c.diff.

I already had formed stools with no blood or mucus before starting FMTs. During the week of infusions, my stools more or less turned into diarrhea. I also had increased abdominal pain and frequency. However after the infusions my symptoms have been subsiding. I've been going to the bathroom 2 - 3 times per day, with stools that vary a lot. My abdominal pains have mostly subsided.

I hear it takes a while to start seeing the benefits of FMTs so perhaps I have to wait a little longer.

I am lucky and live in Melbourne, so I stayed for a week in Sydney to attend the CDD (Centre for Digestive Diseases). Including my domestic flight, hotel, taxi fares and the procedure itself, it cost me around $4200 AUD for 5 infusions. If I were to do 10, it'd cost an additional $1800 AUD.

I had to do an antibiotic preparation for a few days, plus a bowel cleanse for the colonoscopy. I also had to commit to a low fibre diet for 2 weeks to prepare for the procedure.

Now that the procedure is done, I am on a high fibre diet to feed the new bacteria. I am also currently off all the 5ASA medications because I was told to stop them (as they have an anti microbial effect and can kill the good bacteria). So far I've been 8 days med free but I can feel symptoms returning so I am going to at least start my rectal suppositories again. I doubt my ability to be 8 days med free has anything to do with the FTs (my UC is mild compared to others on here so I know that I would have been able to stop my meds for a few days regardless of FTs).

I wish I had been told this before, but if you do go ahead with the FTs, be prepared for your symptoms to fluctuate for a while (I am currently having D and perfectly formed stools concurrently). Also, your stools will likely change to the donor's stool for a while (my farts and stools started smelling like my donor's).

Bare in mind that the evidence of FTs helping UC is still rather limited (but slowly showing promise). I would not have done FTs if it weren't for my c.diff (which in itself appeared to be inactive anyway) but I understand your situation is different to mine. If I were facing biologics, I'd probably do FTs in the hope of helping my UC. Though for the time being, I seem quite ok with using 5ASAs alone.

Thanks BananaGirl. I'm sorry it didnt help you. I just tried a vsl#3 and curcumin/turmeric enema this evening. I've been taking vsl for 6 months and find it helps but am not in remission yet. I'm much better than I was (from 20 bloody and watery bm's to 2-3 bloody bm's, occasionally somewhat formed). Last spring a colonoscopy showed the last 30cm being very inflamed but I am doing better since then, although still bleeding, so I am hoping an enema will reach the areas. I don't want to go through with the fecal transplant unless it has at least some chance of helping though.

laughingduck, yeah, i noticed you can do an enema with pretty much anything. i've added l-glutamine and vit e before. still didn't notice improvement- enemas are like placebos for me no matter what kind i do. definitely keep trying the turmeric enemas. i've taken turmeric in capsule form but never up the butt.

I tried it and unfortunately it didn't work for me. I've read that it is less likely to work if you are in a flare - which I never really go out of since diagnosis.

I still think it is worth a try. You can likely find the home version online.