Michael Harrop
Active member
https://web.archive.org/web/20170201034115/https://thepowerofpoop.com/fecal-transplant-success-stories/
Jennifer’s Story (2015)
Josh’s Story (2015)
Yasmin’s story (2015)
Kate's story (2016)
Louise’s Story (2015)
Genevieve’s Story (2013)
Crohnology’s FMT Users (2013)
Sunshine’s story (2015)
Brandi’s Story (2015)
Caitlin’s Story (2014)
Bob’s Story (2013)
Tracy S’s Story (2015)
Linda’s Story (2015)
Danny’s Story (2014)
Sam’s Story (2015)
Robby’s Story (2014)
Tracy Mac’s Story (2015)
Carlos’s Story (2015)
The Power of Poop defines a ‘success story’ as 50% or more improvement from FMT sustained for at least 6 months. Not all FMT ends with a success story. What works for some does not work for everyone and more research needs to be done to discover why.
If you have benefited from FMT and have a success story to share, please consider telling it. Your story will give hope to others. It will also help collate anecdotal evidence to place pressure on the medical and scientific community to do more research so that FMT is available for all people with digestive illness.
Ulcerative colitis:
Jennifer’s Story (2015)
I am 40 years old and find myself between 95% and 99% improved in health as a result of FMT treatments and the necessary parallel behaviours that are recommended to accompany these treatments.
I did daily FMTs for those 3 months straight. The first 1.5 months I did fresh enemas – driving 1.5 hours round trip to pick up a fresh stool every day and implanting it within 3 hours of having been produced. My days were controlled by the stool schedule of my donor. After about 1.5 months I started doing some frozen treatments and they seemed to be just as effective.
I had two healthy, tested donors at my disposal I followed some of the anecdotal reports on ‘the group’ and decided to use only donations from the male (non related) donor (99% of previous donations had been from my female donor, a blood relative). Since changing to the male donor things have continued to improve. Definitely something to consider if you try FMTs with limited success; can you source a different donor?
I was really blessed to have an easy time finding 2 willing donors. I am even more blessed that they have stuck with me in this journey for 14 months! I will never be able to fully express my gratitude or even begin to repay them!
I also was really lucky to have a supportive GP. Although she can’t endorse FMTs, she was very supportive in testing my donors.
Josh’s Story (2015)
I am 27 years old. I would say I am 95% better. It took me a total of around 40 to 50 transplants.
The doctors told me there was no cure and I would have to continually take Asacol (9 pills per day) for the rest of my life.
I didn’t tell my doctor I was doing it until after I was 2 months into the FMTs. When I did tell him, I was kinda of shocked because he said “Good, that should work.” I couldn’t understand why this information wasn’t being shared to everybody with a digestive issue.
I had known the donor for most of my life. When I approached him I told him that people were recovering from UC by performing the procedure and explained the details. Then asked if he would be willing to donate to the cause. He was more then happy.
Yasmin’s story (2015)
Recovered to 85-90% Most days. Occasionally this will slip down to 50-60% for a few days when in a mini flare but this is getting less and less frequent.
The hospital had told me to start thinking about having my colon removed as I wasn’t responding to treatment and so I knew that FMT was my only option left.
My first FMT was September 8th 2014 and my last was 2 weeks ago today. I now have FMTs every two-three weeks at the Taymount and this works very well for me.
FMT wasn’t a miracle cure for me. I had to combine diet and supplements with FMT to see the best results. It took about 6 weeks to start seeing great results.
What did your doctors say?
They were actually excited and happy for me but they advised me not to pay out for the treatment and suggested they would do it for me. The Registrar at the hospital then led me down a garden path, through no fault of his own, where he tried to get the permission of the hospital board to do the FMT himself but after a few months of pushing, they said no!
Kate's story (2016)
Our daughter Kate (8th grade) had sudden and violent onset of stomach pain, bloating, gas, urgency and of course, bloody diarrhea. Up to this point in her 14 years, she had never had any major complaints regarding digestion.
I had made many trips to the school that fall to take Kate clean underwear and jeans, and was in a bit of a downward spiral.
Kate was basically allergic to everything except a few fruits and vegetables
The donor: We have another daughter who was 14 at the time.
When we told our GI that Kate had done FMT, she was very kind, but looked a little shocked. She agreed that the steroid was in order and prescribed it for her, along with blood tests to measure inflammation, which showed her inflammatory markers had decreased significantly since the Mayo visit. She looked at us and said “you know I can’t really condone or help with FMT therapy…” but she had a smile on her face as if to say that she wished she could.
Now, Kate’s junior year is in full-swing and she is symptom-free! We have been able to add back so many fruits and vegetables that were strictly off limits to her diet.
Crohn's Disease:
Louise’s Story (2015)
57 years old. I have Crohn’s Disease and had C Diff.
One FMT via colonoscopy followed up by a diy FMT a week later at home.
My doctors initially refused to give me FMT, but I eventually was able to convince them.
The donor: My daughter offered, but was unsuitable as she tested positive for blastocystis and dientamoeba. I asked a close friend who fitted my criteria, she was honoured to be able to help me.
Genevieve’s Story (2013)
FMT pretty much saved my life. I have Crohn’s disease (diagnosed in 2007) and have been through ALL the meds and FAILED them all.
My GI wanted to cut out my colon, as he thought that was my only option left. I stumbled upon FMT through a nutritionist I had been working with. He introduced me to the concept of gut dysbiosis and FMT. I decided I had nothing to lose and immediately did a transplant.
I used the “at home” protocol. My husband was my donor, and I did not have him tested for anything
I did a round of 4 transplants in a row, then took a week break and did 3 more. A few weeks later I did 2 more transplants with my husband as a donor and then 2 more with my twin sister as a donor a few months later. I cannot tell you how they changed my life. Within 10 days of the first round of transplants I had formed stools. I couldn’t believe it…it had been years since that happened! I am now off all meds and have recovered significantly since March.
I am still not completely “cured” of Crohns, I still have symptoms, but I am so significantly better it is amazing.
Crohnology’s FMT Users (2013)
Four people have rated FMT. Three rated it with 5 stars and one gave it 4 stars. There’s also a place for users to write a review. Here’s what four FMT treatment users say:
“First Transplant is March 14th – have had 2 weeks of success. System seems to stay fairly balanced – dr says I just need to heal now.”
“Totally normal after 3 infusions, but got a virus in the middle of treatments. Still helped a lot. Did a second round Feb 2013. Now totally normal.”
“I did a transplant in 2012 which worked like a charm after 3 transplants. I did not follow up and was symptom free for 14 month. After this I had a bad flare and tried the FT again. First time – no effect, 2nd time it made my flare worse. So I had mixed results. I would try it again during my next flare!”
“I got worse! But I would try again in the future. I was doing pretty horribly when I tried it. I think it was too much to handle.”
All 6 respondents have had FMT in the past year. Four were self administered and 2 were overseen by a physician. All 6 were also responsible for finding the donor material: 3 used a spouse, 2 used Mom poop, and 1 used an unrelated donor. All used fresh as opposed to frozen. In all cases the fecal slurry was prepared using a blender, saline solution, and between 200 and 300 grams of feces. All 6 had the FMT by way of enema but one had it administered by colonoscope in addition to enema. All reported that they found a donor right away.
The ages of the donors: 61, 59, 47, 42, 40, and 35 years old. Everyone reported knowing information about the diet of the donor.
None of the donors had been on antibiotics in the previous 6 months.
When asked if their medications changed after FMT, 2 said yes and 4 said no. Half of the respondents used antibiotics in preparation for FMT.
Five of the six reported that FMT helped resolve IBD symptoms. In their own words:
MR: “Yes. After 3 infusions, my bowel was completely normal, and my energy levels were high. Symptoms came and went after that, but with diligent follow up infusions, I went from a health percentage of 75% to 95% by my estimation.”
AB: “Yes! I had a lot of inflammation and diarrhea which subsided within 24 hours of fmt”
HT: “Yes for a few days immediately after fmt my symptoms were clear but they slowly came back until I had the next fmt”
JG: “Only for the day or two following the treatment”
JB: “Cured C-diff, lessened symptoms greatly (no blood, strong decrease in nausea), ceased all medications except for maintenance mesalamine and VSL DS (imuran later added to maintain remission)”
One answered that the FMT made their symptoms worse. Here’s her thoughts: “I was flaring for over a year before I tried the FMT and wonder if the delicateness of my war-torn colon contributed to the FMT making my symptoms worse.”
My experience with the side effects of IBD medications is horrifying [19] so I made it a point to ask specifically about the side effects of FMT.
RM: “My symptoms got worse: more bleeding, more discomfort, less formed stools.”
MR: “Besides making me better? ”
AB: “Terrible bloating and pain, not so much from the transplant itself, but from the Imodium they gave me to hold the stool.”
HT: “None, felt good after them.”
JG: “Cramping”
JB: “None”
As a separate question I asked about long term side effects and none of the respondents expressed concern. Additionally I asked if their experience had been recorded in a clinical trial. There were 5 no’s and one yes (a trial at New York Presbyterian Hospital).
This is the breakdown of how many FMT treatments each received:
RM: 3
MR: More than 30
AB: 1
HT: 5
JG: 4 or 5
JB: 4
Interestingly, the person who had the most FMT’s gave the most glowing review of the procedure.
All but two reported they began to respond after one treatment. The exception is RM who reported that FMT made her worse and the other, MR, needed 3 treatments. In conclusion I asked what the downside of FMT is. Here are the answers:
RM: “The DIY approach was a gross, strange, uncomfortable process. If it would help, though, it would be worth it.”
MR: “That we don’t use it more regularly.”
AB: “No downsides whatsoever.”
HT: “Mixing the enema.”
JG: “Messy, smelly, time consuming.”
JB: “’ick’ factor for the general public, difficulty in finding and screening a donor for general public.”
IBS:
Sunshine’s story (2015)
42 years old. 98% better.
I had terrible diarrhea after a life saving round of clindamycin for an abscess. I do think clindamycin is a horrible antibiotic and should only be used for life saving purposes. I am glad it was available to me and it did save my life but it has horrible and long-lasting side effects which all the doctors will down play. After I was tested repeatedly for C-Diff but I had no energy and was literally gray skinned and looked and felt terribly ill. The C-Diff tests kept coming back negative but I was diagnosed with severe vitamin deficiencies and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I also had no sensation of being hungry or full. It was like my gut was dead. This went on for over a year with painful cramps, so painful it would wake me up and terrible constipation or diarrhea depending on the day. I had no issues before the clindamycin.
I had two FMTs about 1 week apart. Within 15 seconds I had hunger pangs, within 3 days I was 90% better. The first few days were painful but I really think this was my gut re-populating with good bugs.
What did your doctor/s say?
One basically said I was crazy and the others ignored me and told me to get used to my symptoms – not helpful.
The donor: I picked my oldest daughter
I did it in the tub for easy clean up
What was your darkest moment when you were ill?
Not being able to get out of bed and being told there was nothing wrong with me.
My general anxiety is MUCH improved. I do think there is a gut/brain connection as I had terrible dark thoughts while on the clindamycin.
I did not discuss it with my husband as I knew he would not accept it.
What advice do you have for someone trying to make a decision about FMT?
Don’t ask your doctors unless you have an active C-Diff case. They will not help you and belittle you for even asking. I went to many “progressive” doctors who would not listen to me. I think very little is understood about the microbiome and you have to listen to your body to see if something is wrong. I am very grateful for FMT and I would not hesitate to do it again or give it to my children if they were suffering or even after a long run of antibiotics and a pre-emptive move.
Brandi’s Story (2015)
55 years old. 98% better. IBS-D due to antibiotic overuse.
FMTs from 8/17/14-8/21/15 then 9/1/14-9/5/14 then 9/8/14 then 9/10/14 then 9/21/14-9/23/14.
I felt better after the 1st treatment. Then I gradually felt better over the next 4 months.
My Dr was uninformed even though they perform FMT at his hospital for patients with C-Diff. He thought I was crazy to consider something unapproved by the FDA. I proceeded regardless. The politics of medicine was not stopping me from helping myself get well.
I mentioned FMT to a friend and she volunteered immediately. She too had read about FMT and believed in the theory.
Caitlin’s Story (2014)
100% better. I did 10 days in a row plus once a week for 3 more weeks. That was all that was required, I am now 8 months out and still feeling really great.
My gastroenterologists offered various other ideas, such as a nervous system disorder (causing my colon muscles to be in constant contraction) or some sort of autoimmune problem, but after the FMT all of my symptoms are gone so I don’t think those theories were correct.
When I brought it up to my gastroenterologist he thought that it might help me but that he couldn’t do the procedure on me because it has only been approved for c. difficile, which I didn’t have.
The donor: Good general health and (daily) bowel movements, very limited history of antibiotic use (only once as a child), someone I trusted and who was willing. I told her that I was thinking about doing FMT (she knew how sick I had been for years) and she offered to be my donor without me even having to ask her. She is a great friend.
Over the 6+ years that I suffered from severe IBS, I experienced constant and sometimes debilitating abdominal pain (always in the upper left quadrant), diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. The hardest part about it, aside from the stress and fatigue of dealing with pain, was the feeling of hopelessness. Every time I thought I was getting better (such as during and right after I would take antibiotics) it was incredibly devastating when my symptoms would return. I also started to become very afraid of not being able to have children, getting colon cancer, and just living the rest of my life in pain. Those thoughts, thoughts of despair and helplessness were very hard to deal with. I tried to never give up hope, but when I was in the grips of an attack it was hard to keep focused on that.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff):
Bob’s Story (2013)
Within hours, his family and friends were told that Bob had Clostridium difficile (C. diff). The family begged the hospital doctor to try fecal transplant but were told to stop wasting his time with “quackery”. Bob died the next day.
Unfortunately Bob’s Story is not an isolated event. Unnecessary deaths from C Diff are occurring in hospitals all around the globe. 14,000 people like Bob died of C Diff last year in the US alone. It has to stop. This time next year there must be protocols in place to help those like Bob, who are too sick to wait.
Sounds familiar.My plan is to now start tackling the Media. On behalf of PoP I plan to write an Open Letter to the American Gastroenterological Association and other gastroenterological associations worldwide, with the support of the US based Fecal Transplant Foundation and the Peggy Lillis Memorial Foundation. A copy will also be issued as a Media Release.
I will ask these associations to acknowledge:
I will suggest they implement 3 measures:
- the existence of home fecal transplants
- the importance of patients discussing FMT with their doctors before doing it at home
- that this conversation will not go well, if doctors are uninformed, dismissive or accuse their patients of ‘quackery’
- that negative attitudes from doctors, however well-intentioned are not conducive to collaborative medical care
- that until more research is done on FMT, a harm-minimisation approach on the part of the medical profession is necessary.
How can you help?
- a FMT hotline for doctors to call when faced with someone dying of C Diff
- a FMT information kit for doctors to refer to, when patients ask them about FMT
- a harm minimization protocol for donor screening and support of those chronically ill patients who choose to do FMT at home (for whatever condition) with a legal disclaimer if necessary.
I need volunteers to collate a list of names and email addresses of journalists who have written previously about FMT (print, online or TV) and any media outlet who might be interested in a story about FMT. I will need the email address, not just the name. If you are living in a non-english speaking country, don’t let that stop you.
Regardless of the response received from these gastroenterological associations, the media release will build on the growing awareness of the link between gut microbiota and illness and escalate debate about FMT. It will pressure governments and the medical community to prioritise FMT research. As anyone with a google alert on this topic knows, the scientists are doing their bit, but they need public support and funding to better understand both the benefits and risks of FMT. The Fecal Transplant Foundation has a list of research waiting to be funded. But research will only happen if people start talking about FMT in the media in a way that is more than “Ick! Poop transplants!”
Please don’t dismiss this as a good idea that someone else should help with. On behalf of sick people all over the world I am asking you to find 15 minutes of energy and time, to hit google and send me a list of journalists with names and email addresses. I cannot do this on my own. All journeys start with one step, and if you really care about stopping this madness, the next step is yours.
Tracy S’s Story (2015)
48 years old. 90% better.
I was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C.diff) after taking antibiotics for strep throat. I took vanco for 2 years on and off. I had 7 relapses before FMT.
I only had one FMT via colonoscopy. It took quite a few months to see much of a difference, at about 6 months I knew it worked. I still have bad days, but they are few and far between.
They had a pre-screened, anonymous donor.
Linda’s Story (2015)
68 years old. 100% better.
I was diagnosed with C. difficle in 2010 and had it for 4 years. I had 11 reoccurrences between 2010-2014.
I had my first FMT treatment 4 years after I contracted C- Diff in my doctors office through a Sigmoid, so it would be paid for. I had only one and it failed. My GI doctor did more research and called me, saying I need many FMT and advised me to do them at home. He told me his hands were tied because of the laws in California restricted him from doing them in the hospital. I tested positive for C diff more than a dozen times over these 4 years.
I ended up doing 5 FMT at home supported by my doctor.
I looked to my family as donors. My husband and daughter were antibiotic free and tested. I explained my dying problem and why I needed to replace my bacteria with a good bacterial balance. They saw the condition I was in, and wanted to help.
I looked in the mirror and saw bones, C-Diff ate my muscles, deprived me of nutrients, I was in a wheel chair. I looked at the poop as GOLD that would heal me and I prayed for wellness…. I have now gained 20 pounds. Poop…such a simple thing.
FMT for Autism:
Danny’s Story (2014)
The chronic constipation is 95% better. The C-diff is cured. Autism improved.
We initially did 5 FMTs and it took 3 weeks to see results. C-diff infection was resolved and he no longer experiences constipation. However, since he also suffers from an Autoimmune dx (Common Variable Immune Deficiency CVID) this brings along additional challenges that has resulted in the need to use antibiotics following the initial FMT treatment. The use of these antibiotics has resolved the newly acquired immune infections but has caused us to have to repeat the FMT to continue to see the good results in keeping the C-diff in check.
The first FMT did indeed help the Autism by making him very calm, less hyperactive and less stimmy. Once there was no more Clostridia infection and no more constipation he became a very happy little boy. FMT improved the Autism symptoms, while not curing it.
We obtained our donor through our provider. We requested a Vegan donor who had passed all the necessary testing and was in good health.
He developed SIBO following the FMT
Sam’s Story (2015)
80% recovered. Autism/ Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Autistic enterocolitis.
First Treatment July 2014. Still having treatments. 2 per week. Started every day for 5 days, then every other day, now twice a week.
Took Vancomycin before the FMT.
Father is the donor.
He is more alert, happy, attentive, physically touching us and seeking comfort, communicating better, tantrums have all dissolved, more engaged, sleeping better. Many of his autistic symptoms have diminished and some have completely dissipated.
Multiple Illnesses, Including UC & Autism:
Robby’s Story (2014)
This heart-wrenching FMT success story is told by the parents of three year old “Robby” diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis, small bowel disease, eosinophilic esophagitis and autism. The pain was so intense he used to gouge at his own eyes.
Our son is currently 90% better.
No antibiotics beforehand.
My partner was the donor.
The primary cause of Robby’s UC was heavy duty broad spectrum antibiotic used in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit when he was born prematurely. Our GI felt like the disease was a direct result of the antibiotics.
We had been researching FMT since Robby was 1.5 but could not find a doctor to help us. Our pediatric GI has mailed us our file and notes and asked us not to contact him since we refused 6MP and decided to start FMT. So he is obviously not a proponent of FMT.
We initially did five FMTs via enema, under the guidance of our doctor. But every time we tried to wean down on steroids (prednisolone) Robby would begin reacting to food, not be able to sleep and would get rash on his face. These were normal symptoms of his UC flares. So we contacted the doctor who recommended trying FMT 2-3 times per week at home. We organized this and did a total of 17 frozen FMTs at home. Again, Robby’s condition improved. However he was still flaring when we reduced steroids, not as bad as before but it was still a problem. We contacted the doctor again and he suggested trying fresh FMTs. So we organized this and did fresh FMT daily for 30 days. We have now passed 30 and are at the 45 day mark, doing FMTs daily.
Since Robby has been treated for the severe UC he no longer acts “autistic”. Now Robby talks. He laughs. He plays with his toys. He eats. He is up to 17 safe foods right now (he had zero safe foods and was nearing a nasogastric tube before FMT).
With the right information, the right tools, the right thoroughly tested donor – FMT is profoundly safer than the drugs mainstream medicine wants to prescribe for GI conditions. It tackles the root cause – unlike a drug designed to shut down the immune system and mask the actual problem. If you or your child has a severe GI disorder, we urge you to take your health and the health of your child into your own hands, and find a supportive doctor. Our [medical] system is not designed to cure people. It is profoundly broken system driven by corporate profits. If you want to heal yourself and / or improve your health you have to be the guiding force through research, research and more research.
Brain & Digestive Disorders:
Tracy Mac’s Story (2015)
52 years old. 70% better. I learned about FMT via Google in 2011.
Although I had been functional as an adult, I had never been 100% well, experiencing recurrent UTIs, yeast infections, gluten intolerance and fibromyalgia. In my mid ‘40s escalated antibiotic use sent my physical and mental wellbeing snowballing downhill.
Anxiety and depression, debilitating migraines, derealization and severe food intolerances. Relaxation made the migraines worse and I would spend weekends with my head in the toilet or collapsed on the bathroom floor vomiting from the pain of a throbbing jackhammer through my head. It would take 3 days to recover and then it would start over again the following weekend.
I developed OCD over ridiculous things, extreme sensitivity to cold and craved sunlight. Then there was the derealization, which was truly bizarre. It was like engaging with the world through a tunnel or frosted glass. My perception of the world was one dimensional, as if everything was on television. All my interactions with people were difficult. I could no longer feel emotional connection with others as they felt distant and far away.
Doctors could not provide a diagnosis for the migraines or gut issues other than to tell me it was stress and prescribe migraine medication and anti-depressants, neither of which worked.
Twenty years earlier I had been diagnosed with Graves Disease
Two months after radioactive iodine treatment, I developed debilitating fibromyalgia, which the endocrinologist said was unrelated and accused me of being a charlatan wanting to avoid work
To my great surprise I felt 90% better after a pre-colonoscopy purge emptied my gut. Indeed I felt better every time I emptied my gut.
The antibiotics helped, but the probiotics made me worse.
The two doctors I mentioned it to were against FMT or not even prepared to discuss it.
In 2011 I received a series of FMTs at the CDD in Sydney Australia to which I responded well, and then regressed. As the brain-fog cleared I started to feel serotonin coursing through my brain and was convinced that I was on the right track, I continued FMT at home with a donor. FMT improved my histamine migraines, anxiety and derealization by around 90%. However, it did not improve my food intolerances.
It took 4-6 months to work.
The donor: I wanted a healthy male donor. After ruling out a few potential donors, I approached a friend who is a healthy athletic type who never gets travelers’ diarrhea when traveling in Asia. His response was kind and sympathetic. After doing some research, he agreed to help. I will forever be grateful that he took the time to do the research and didn’t just write off my request as some kind of lunacy.
My food tolerances starting improving within 2 weeks of my thyroid medication being changed to a combination of T3 & T4. I am now 99% free of food intolerances and my gut is 100% recovered.
High dose Inositol (8000mg daily) has supported my liver to better metabolise sugars and reduce my insulin resistance. As a result the yeast infections have improved 90%.
I believe medical history will view darkly this chapter of medicine that thinks it’s ok to prescribe antibiotics as a first rather than last resort
many practitioners, both allopathic and naturopathic, either wasted my money or made a bad situation worse by recommending one-size-fits-all knee-jerk therapies rather than conducting a thorough investigative analysis through functional medicine laboratories. The bottom line is that my recovery has been mostly due to my own research and perseverance
FMT for MS (multiple sclerosis):
Carlos’s Story (2015)
43 years old. 60% better.
After the 2nd treatment I saw results. I had 10 total treatments. The donors are all chosen by the Taymount clinic in UK.
The treatment was very quick and simple, without any negative side-effects. The improvement has been wonderful.
- Included required info?
- Yes