Can you walk us through your journey - from the onset of symptoms to getting a diagnosis and eventually finding relief?
This is not my first fecal transplant rodeo. Journey began with a 2018 stem cell transplant (like a bone marrow transplant) with lots of IV antibiotics (ABX) and C. diff. After being on oral vancomycin for months and then weaned off. Had a recurrence w/o ABX in summer 2019, oral vancomycin worked, and then somehow got hooked up with Dr. Khoruts. Had an IMT (fecal transplant) in the Fall and it worked! In 2025 had to take amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) for a sinus infection that took me back to the Emergency Department at the U. On the oral vanc - cleared quickly - and had a consult with Dr. Khoruts' team again, had an IMT, and no problems since.
How did living with C. difficile affect your day-to-day activities and overall well-being?
When I am on oral Vancomycin, I'm good. But, as GI doc said, it's not doing your GI microbiome any good. And now, the fact that anytime I take an antibiotic other than doxycycline I will get C. diff has changed my work and social life.
What treatments or medications did you try before Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT)? How did they work for you?
Used a therapeutic dose of oral Vancomycin (125 mg x 4x/day) with initial diarrhea and diagnosis and then after a few weeks weaned back to 125mg/day. This works great, thank God. It's also expensive and a necessary evil without being able to have an IMT.
Did you undergo Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT)? How many treatments did you receive?
Yes, I have had 3 IMT treatment. All have worked. The 2nd treatment was because I questioned if my bowel movements/stools were completely recovered. The other ones were post C. diff episodes.
What thoughts or concerns did you have prior to undergoing IMT?
My concerns included: ick-what am I doing, anxiety that it wouldn't work and I'd be on oran Vancomycin the rest of my life.
Do you feel like IMT has helped you regain your quality of life? How important has it been in your overall recovery?
IMT makes me less dependent on docs, pharmacies, and pharmaceuticals - always a good thing. Taking fewer antibiotics is better for our microbiome - a fact of our life and health that we are learning plays a significant role.
Looking back on your experience, what advice or words of encouragement would you share with someone who has just been diagnosed with C. difficile?
If you are diagnosed with C. diff. know that there are treatments out there that have worked for many others. Oral Vancomycin has worked well for me and others. The fecal transplant (IMT) is a great step up. Try it. Follow the MHealth GI doctors instructions. And, most importantly, do good things for your health so you don't need this stuff - or don't need it often. Support MHealth Gi Department.
Is there anything else you'd like to add about your experience?
Dr. Khoruts and his team at MHealth have been great, both medically and personally. I trust them.
