I've gone through 2 FMT treatments and supplemented with 2 FMT capsules. It definitely improved my condition about 50%, but the results aren't lasting and it did not prevent the major flares I get each month with menstruation (but it at least reduced it from 2-3 flares a month to only one).
I've been wondering if the bad bacteria is just extremely tenacious and returns (despite taking an antibiotic before the procedure, I don't know if it completely destroyed the biofilm).
I also wonder if my intestines are damaged and need repair. I have chronic, long-term constipation that began at the age of 30 (I'm now 40). Nothing seems to alleviate this condition, but the gastro doc said that I have a slight twist in my colon and also muscle atrophy in part of the colon (lazy).
I think FMT needs to really concentrate on 3 angles: destroying bad bacteria completely, replenishing the colon with good bacteria and then maintaining a perfect diet to "grow" the new "forest" in the colon, and repairing the colon completely. I want to know the best ways to do these 3 things!
thanks for this update. sorry it didn't work better for you. but you are the first person i've heard get treated for spondy and say it only temporarily worked.
i'm like you, as you know, with the chronic constipation. though for me, it was on and off til 30, then i had the opposite problem for the next few years, and only sort of permanently chronic the last 5-10 years.
i can't remember if you are on a biologic. but for me humira does help keep things moving. and i have to eat beans and cabbage every day, that's what my gut seems to want. and then of course all the things we've both compared with one another.
i was hoping you would have better success. 1. for you. 2. for hopes for the rest of us....ok me.
but as you said, maybe there is a way to do this.
one thing i thought of when i heard how well it worked for c diff patients. they started with a healthy gut, got sick so it was easier to return them to health. but we start with an unhealthy gut. is it because the bad bacteria hide in our appendix, waiting to replenish our gut when its wiped out (they now believe that is the role of the appendix); so maybe those bacteria don't get wiped out by antibiotics? or as you said, maybe we need to heal the gut? but then why would it get better and then worse again? still i believe in healing the gut. i just bought glutamine (recommended by the owner of a GNC franchise who seemed knowledgeable and recommended here).
I still hold out hope for FMT. But good to hear the reality as it stands to day from someone with experience. so, thank you.
