Camelia’s story: the journey through Clostridium to recovery

Sometimes it is not medical terms but the words of the patients themselves that speak most eloquently about a doctor’s work. We are delighted to share Camelia’s personal story, her journey through the difficult struggle with Clostridioides difficile and her experience of treatment. The text below was written by her personally, and we are publishing her words with her consent.

Following a severe mental breakdown and eating almost nothing, I lost a lot of weight very quickly. I had to undergo a course of antibiotics with Cefpotek, and a Clostridium infection developed. I was admitted to hospital and underwent 10 days of treatment with vancomycin. On the fourth day after treatment, I suffered a relapse. Vancomycin was restarted on a tapered-dose regimen, followed by pulse therapy and, immediately afterwards, fidaxomicin. That amounted to 55 days of antibiotic therapy, as a result of which I felt unwell, lost even more weight, had no appetite and was under a great deal of stress. After finishing the course, I was in relatively good condition for 39 days, but on the 40th day I suffered another relapse. I started fidaxomicin again and, two days after stopping it, had my first FMT with Dr Hinov. Another one followed 10 days later. The difference was noticeable! My appetite improved and my bowel movements also returned to normal. Overall, my energy levels improved. I’m in constant contact with Dr Hinov; he’s the person I consult on everything, and I’m incredibly grateful to him and his team! I highly recommend that all patients with Clostridium put their trust in Dr Hinov, who is the only person in Bulgaria to perform this procedure, and in the gentlest way possible! I hope this vicious cycle of Clostridium infection and a microbiome destroyed by antibiotic treatment has been broken, and that I can get on with my normal life! I believe this is the best form of treatment, and according to global guidelines, the success rate and future prospects lie precisely with FMT. Once again, a huge thank you to Dr Hinov and his team, who are not only professionals but also people with big hearts!

-Camelia