DIY poop transplant: US woman's self-administered IBS treatment at home

A woman in the United States, Daniell Koepke, struggled with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms for years before turning to a poop microbiota transplant (FMT) as a last resort. Koepke's journey, detailed in Netflix's new documentary 'Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut,' highlights her attempt to alleviate her symptoms through this unconventional method.

A Desperate Search for Relief

During her college years, Koepke experienced severe indigestion, stabbing pains from trapped gas, and chronic constipation. Despite numerous visits to doctors over five years, no treatment provided lasting relief. Frustrated and desperate, she decided to try a DIY poop transplant, a procedure where feces from a healthy donor are introduced into a patient's gut to restore the balance of "good" microbes.

"It's really hard for me to remember what it was like to eat food before it became associated with anxiety and pain and discomfort," Koepke, now a doctoral student in clinical psychology, shared in the documentary.

Trials and Errors with Donor Stools

Initially, Koepke used poop transplant pills made from her brother's donated stools. However, she reported gaining weight and developing hormonal acne similar to her brother's. Seeking a different outcome, she switched to using stool from her boyfriend. This change led to new complications; Koepke experienced depression, mirroring her boyfriend's mental health issues. Reflecting on this period, she said, "Over time, I realised my depression was worse than it's ever been in my life."

Return to the Original Donor

Ultimately, Koepke returned to using her brother's stool. Remarkably, she noted that her depression subsided within a week, suggesting a significant impact from the donor stool's microbiota.

Understanding poop Microbiota Transplantation

poop microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring feces from a healthy donor into an ill patient's gastrointestinal tract, aiming to restore a healthy balance of bacteria. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, suitable donors should not have taken antibiotics in the past six months, must not be immunocompromised, and should be free of chronic gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease.

The Science Behind FMT

Jack Gilbert, a microbial ecologist at UC San Diego, commented on the potential of FMT in the documentary. "With poop microbiome transplants, there is really compelling evidence, but the science is still developing. We're still working on if it actually has benefits for wider populations and if the benefit is long-lasting."

Koepke's experience sheds light on the personal trials of living with IBS and the lengths to which individuals might go to seek relief. While her journey with DIY poop transplants underscores the need for further research, it also highlights the profound impact gut health can have on overall well-being.