Fecal Transplant

Specialties Gastroenterology

Published

Ok. I know you shouldnt believe all you see on TV. But the last episode of Greys Anatomy freaked me out. They did a Fecal Transplant on a lady with C diff. I thought..oh lord what has TV done?? People dont actually DO that!!! So i looked it up. Its a real treatment!!! PLease, someone explain how this treatment was discovered, and who even thought to do such a thing???

Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
Fecal sample is obtained from a blood relative, we put it in a blender with warm water to desired consistency (pretty thin).

I really am not sure I could put poop in a blender.

I think it's awesome that this is working, though!

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I contracted C-Diff earlier this year as a result of being on cipro for what I thought was a uti. However, it turned out that my boyfriend gave me Chlamydia and I was treated for C-diff before they found the Chlamydia which then had to be treated with antibiotics causing the c diff to return. I have lost ten pounds in the last month and started out at 130. I feel so sick that I am ready to quit my job, but I am afraid of losing the health care. This option seems like a valid one...but I am wondering is there anywhere in California that offers the procedure? Does anyone know of any neighboring state even? My gastro said he gives up basically rather depressing considering that is how I feel :(

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Yes there are GI Docs that do Fecal Transplants in OR, CA, NV. Dr Schleinitz Medford OR. Dr Stollman San Francisco, CA. Dr Gao Carson City NV. If you can find a GI Doc that will do this procedure in your area I can send them our hospital protocol and procedure.You are going down the right track in pursuance of fecal transplants. They are 95% to 98% effective in curing recurrent C-Diff. Rob C

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Specializes in LTC, Acute care.

Wow! I thought this was a joke until I read all 3 pages. Just wow! I'm surprised the most that I'm not grossed out. Not quite sure I would like to blend poop.:uhoh21:

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Thank you for your posts, Robrn, about fecal transplants being available in CA and OR. I am located in CA and would like to find a local GI doctor who can perform the procedure.

Where are you located?

Gale

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robrn - do you have a copy of the protocol that your hospital approved to do FT?

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I wanted to thank you for referring me to Dr. Gao I have been doing some testing to rule out other possible problems such as thyroid, and Gallbladder. I have a test that came back negative for c diff but she wants to do a colonoscopy since my condition is the same. I have now developed some severe allergies to every day food making it harder to find something to eat that is safe. Are there any specific websites that would be a good education source for the person I would have donating, she wanted to read about the process further?

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Who actually sat around and even thought to try this in the first place? :lol2:

Poop smoothie- who knew?

And after that.....:barf02:

Next it will be a urine transplant for interstitial cystitis :D

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My hospital has done this. The donor doesn't have to be a relative. The prefered donor is someone who lives in the same household because that is who is most likely to have the optimal mix of flora but if that isn't feasible, any healthy person will do. It works so well that it is starting to be discussed much earlier than as a last resort.

I get the ick factor but, y'know, it is a whole lot less icky than the normal way we all get colonized.

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Here's a link to a protocol. It will open the pdf in your browser.

http://tinyurl.com/fecal-transplant-protocol

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I work in the Endoscopy unit of a hospital in Virginia. One of our GI Docs is interested in doing fecal transplants. As clinical team leader of the department I am trying to gather information on how bring this procedure to our hospital...was wondering if I could get a copy of your hospital's protocol and procedure? Any other words of advice? I know she currently has a patient that is just starting their 5th round of antibiotics to treat their recurrent C-Diff. Would love to be able to provide this service...I think, not sure how I feel about the whole blender part! Thanks

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Sorry you are experiencing this. Have your symptoms improved. I know your post is a little dated, but the medical center where I work at has has performed this procedure, as a matter of fact, one earlier this week. I work in So. Cal / South Bay area. Maybe you can private EM & I can inform you of this medical center,

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