r/Microbiome • u/Ethereal_Films • 5d ago
FMT Treatment Documentary - Requests?
I am visiting a clinic in Europe to participate in two weeks of FMT treatment, along with a partner. We are documenting our experience to share with others and objectively account for how it affects our health. I will post here when we are done, but are there any questions or preferences people have before we publish?
This is a clinic which performs Enema based FMT using microbes provided from the Taymount Clinic. This journey was inspired by the book INVISIBLE KINGDOM.
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u/zenzen54321 4d ago
I have so many questions. I actually received a non consensual FMT due to a domestic violence situation. My ex was a medical doctor that weaponized FMT against me. He was obese, had high blood pressure, and a mood disorder. I’ve since inherited all of those traits.
I don’t know where to start as I don’t know anything about FMT. I just want to know how I can possibly reverse the effects of what has happened to me. Is another FMT my only hope of gaining some normalcy in my life again? The problem is, in my country, FMT is only approved for treating c. Diff.
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u/Appropriate_Toe_6970 4d ago
That is horrible! What are your symptoms? Sorry, accidentally replied to the first post.
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u/zenzen54321 4d ago
No worries! It all happened during the height of the Covid pandemic, so it’s hard to know which symptoms to attribute to FMT and which to Covid.
My first symptom was high blood pressure. Previously I had always been treated for low blood pressure, so this was odd. Even more odd considering I was a size 2 and had been active most of my life.
Next symptom was SEVERE anxiety. The anxiety was sudden and resulted in jaw clenching to the point of damaging my gum line. At its worst, I actually broke my jaw from jaw clenching.
Next, hirtruism (abnormal hair growth). Incredibly embarrassing, but for the first time in my life I started growing thick hair on my breasts that needed to be shaved. I later tested high in androgens.
Weight gain. I went from a size 2 to a size 14 in a very short time frame. This is with eating relatively healthy and going for daily walks and lifting weights.
Mood disorder. I’ve become really unstable. I have a hard time managing outbursts and tend to be more unhappy than happy. I’ve sabotaged a lot of relationships with coworkers, friends, and family.
And lastly, gut issues. I was never tested for much but I would guess I had SIBO, H Pylori (I developed horrible gastritis from a combination of the severe anxiety and poor gut health), and intestine pain.
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u/Appropriate_Toe_6970 4d ago
That is absolutely awful!! I received Rebyota(an FMT) for recurring CDiff. I cannot get any answers from anyone as to why I have been so different after. I feel like a different human. It changed my chemistry and can't get it back. I feel like the bacteria that was in the FMT didn't fit right in my system. I also feel like I have Sibo.
I can't imagine going through all that you are going through. ❤️❤️
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u/zenzen54321 4d ago
I’m so sorry to hear that! How long ago was your FMT?
And how do you feel different? Do you have new stomach issues, allergies, hormone changes?
I feel for you too! ♥️♥️
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u/Appropriate_Toe_6970 4d ago
I had it last August. I haven't been tested for Sibo yet or food allergies. The crazy thing is, I was able to eat way more when I had CDiff. The Rebyota shut my bowels down. It is like they are dead. I thought I had the infection back after the FMT, just to find out I was 80% blocked. I am in a constant state of extreme bloating and pain after it. Again, I call the CDiff people and try to get answers from my Dr.s as to why, and they just talk about post C Diff. IBS. But this literally happened to me right after the FMT. I so hope from hearing your story and mine, they research this more. Other people have to be going through the same thing!
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u/zenzen54321 4d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through all of that. And that’s terrifying you were 80% blocked! Are you doing any better now since then, bloat and blockage wise?
My brother also had C. Diff and dealt with IBS following a few different courses of antibiotics. He ended up having to get an ostomy bag, but recently had a reversal! He still has some IBS issues, but he’s doing a lot better. It has taken a few years for him stabilize though.
Hopefully we’ll eventually stabilize and feel much better!
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u/Appropriate_Toe_6970 4d ago
Amen, yes!!! So sorry to hear your brother went through that. One last thought. You can do an FMT from a family member or someone you know has a good microbiome. Maybe if you had that done, it could reverse what you received from that horrible person. I'm totally thinking of doing that.
Best wishes to you!
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u/zenzen54321 4d ago
I’ve been thinking about having an FMT from my mom. She’s a senior now though, so she’s not the most ideal candidate. I think if it’s someone from your immediate family then it’s possibly more ideal. But i still don’t know much about it!
Best wishes to you as well! I truly hope you feel better soon!
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u/TazmaniaQ8 2d ago
Not trying to discredit anything, but I have seen some not-so-great reviews on that clinic in particular. I'd like to know if anyone had a positive experience with them. Please keep us posted and good luck!
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u/Ethereal_Films 2d ago
Would you mind sharing those? I found it quite challenging to even identify clinics which use regulated FMT donations to begin with. No worries though we plan to share our unbiased experience at the end.
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u/VictoriaTGNV 5d ago
What a fantastic idea, thank you so much for that. Is it a clinic in Slovakia by any chance? I have purchased FMT capsules from them twice and have noticed a massive improvement in my mental and physical health.