A friend of mine is getting a fecal transplant.  Isn’t that interesting?  She has ulcerative colitis. I wonder where they get the fecal matter?

Sounds like a crappy time for her.  Hope she recovers and the treatment is efficacious.

Ca ca happens.

I never heard of it before, but apparently it is an extremely effective procedure for ulcerative colitis and other intestinal problems.  Seems counter-intuitive to me.  I would assume poop would be….well, unsafe.  But it isn’t.  There are lots of wonderful bacteria in it that can heal others whose digestive systems are screwed up.

saralynn - 15 August 2012 10:49 AM

I never heard of it before, but apparently it is an extremely effective procedure for ulcerative colitis and other intestinal problems.  Seems counter-intuitive to me.  I would assume poop would be….well, unsafe.  But it isn’t.  There are lots of wonderful bacteria in it that can heal others whose digestive systems are screwed up.

Will they cut her open to implant the shit? Or can she just eat shit? Why can’t she just swallow the bacteria without the shit? This isn’t being done by one of those shady clinics down in Mexico, is it?

I assume they will charge her big time for this process.  To think of all the years I’ve spend flushing away such a valuable commodity.  Perhaps I shall open a new container in my recycling bin.

ASD: Will they cut her open to implant the shit? Or can she just eat shit? Why can’t she just swallow the bacteria without the shit? This isn’t being done by one of those shady clinics down in Mexico, is it?

You either get the feces inserted up your ass by having a colonoscopy or down through a nasal tube.  The doctor said that if she chose the nasal tube, she would neither smell nor taste the poop. 

I’m not sure why they can’t just insert the bacteria, but I think it may be because there are so many varieties of bacteria in one’s intestines. Apparently, each person has a unique combination of bacteria, but people who are related have similar strains, so if you get a fecal transplant, you should get it from a relative.  It isn’t imperative, though.

Most insurance plans to not cover fecal transplants, so if you need one you may have to go to a University, as my friend is doing.

One more thing…..if you for any reason need to take a lot of strong antibiotics, it is sensible to store a small quantity of your own feces in the freezer, just in case you need it.  Antibiotics kill good bacteria as well as bad and one’s intestinal tract can get all screwed up as a result of it.  Obviously, if you need a fecal transplant, it is best to get it from yourself.  Sort of like storing your own blood before an operation.

Here is more info if you are as fascinated as I am about this procedure. 

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/12/fecal-transplants-work/

I read about this some time ago and unlike god shit, real shit actually is miraculous, no surprise there.

saralynn - 15 August 2012 12:43 PM

One more thing…..if you for any reason need to take a lot of strong antibiotics, it is sensible to store a small quantity of your own feces in the freezer, just in case you need it.  Antibiotics kill good bacteria as well as bad and one’s intestinal tract can get all screwed up as a result of it.  Obviously, if you need a fecal transplant, it is best to get it from yourself.  Sort of like storing your own blood before an operation.

It’s true enough Saralynn, many people suffer from diarrhoea and bowel problems after they have been using antibiotics, one reason can be related to “C Difficile” spores which many people have dormant in their intestines, usually pet owners or people like myself who work in hospitals, care-homes and such.
Our normal flora keeps c diff at bay usually, but broad spectrum antibiotics lower or destroy our normal flora leaving the spores free to cause havoc.
Not nice!

saralynn - 15 August 2012 10:49 AM

I would assume poop would be….well, unsafe.  But it isn’t.  There are lots of wonderful bacteria in it that can heal others whose digestive systems are screwed up.

Turns out our poop plumbing has been well adapted to having lots of poop around.

She and her boyfriend seem ideally matched!