In February 2025, I saw my dentist about a toothache. Upon examination she saw an infection at the root of the tooth on which a root canal had been performed in February 2023. She referred me to the same endodontist who performed the root canal and he determined I would need apico surgery however he was booked out several months. He prescribed clindamycin but warned me to only take it if the pain in the tooth became unbearable. It did and so I started taking clindamycin on 3/14/25. As the pain, as I’m sure the infection, was not any better my dentist referred me to a second endodontist who took me right away and performed the apico surgery on 3/27/25. Following the surgery he and his partner both insisted I needed another course of clindamycin even though I told them I literally had just finished taking it on 3/21/25. My C. diff symptoms started while on this course. It took until June 30, 2025 to be diagnosed because the gastroenterologist I saw twice insisted there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, refusing to run any tests because it would be “a waste of time.” My present gastroenterologist was the one to diagnose me and is now treating me.

I have taken vancomycin (relapsed), Dificid twice (relapsed both times while I was on it), vancomycin again (relapsed again), and am now on a vancomycin taper which was started on January 30, 2026 and I finished on March 29. My gastro applied for Vowst for me and I was approved and took it a week ago. Swallowing a strangers feces was not something I thought I would ever have to do but I am literally at the point where I will do anything to get my life back.

C. diff is a painful and debilitating infection that literally makes one a hermit. You’re afraid to leave the house. You’re afraid to have friends and family over for fear of giving it to them. It takes from you not only your health but your confidence, your calm, and your social life. Vowst has its own side effects but I’m hoping it brings me back my life.