Adult Stem cell therapy - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

searchout · 12-08-2008, 09:59 AM

Hi,
Has anyone on these boards tried ASCT?
I have found lots of sites which "claim" they have dramatic improvements with this form of treatment but I am always suspicious of these types of claims as if it were true I am sure we would be being offered it now.

So has anyone been treated by this or had a friend who has been treated for any autoimmune disease?

L x

stormonto57 · 12-08-2008, 12:23 PM

Hi I tried stem cell therapy which was offered by a company called ACT (Advanced Cell Therapy) in 2006. It was a con, there was a documentary about them on TV in 2007 (I'm in England), and I have since found out that this company used cells which are not suitable for human use and although they still have a live website, they are supposed to be under investigation and many of their clinics are not operating. I went to Ireland for the stem cells and I thought I had researched the company well but obviously not well enough. I was really upset and angry when I realised I had been conned but also because it had cost me £7000 for nothing. I had a letter last month from the British health commission asking me to visit my GP as I needed to be tested for HIV, Hep B, Hep C, and Syphilus. This came as a shock as it is over 2 years since I had the cells but they said it was just to make sure I was OK, as they thought that the cells had not been screened correctly before they were used. My MS has not improved at all since the cell therapy in fact I continue to slowly deriorate, I have PPMS.

If stem cell therapy is ever trialled in the UK and it is licenced, great, but I will not be trusting anymore private companies. Hope you find this helpful. xx

searchout · 12-08-2008, 12:51 PM

I am based in th UK as well. I am sorry to hear about your experience, thats really bad that a company would take advantage of people trying to help themselves get well.

Do you reckon every company offering these treatments are also making claims that cannot back-up or do you think somewhere they have had some success with MS patients?

I really hope they can work out how to use stem cells effectively soon especially for those with PPMS and SPMS as there seems to be little on offer med wise for people in those groups.

How long have you been ill for? Are the dr's doing anything for you at the moment?

L x

stormonto57 · 12-09-2008, 11:57 AM

Hi I've seen reports of doctors in China having very good results with stem cells, but it was with people who have had spinal damage and are paraplegic.

You're right, there isn't much research or treatment for PPMS, but my MS nurse has got me onto clinical trials next year in Newcastle, which may be helpful.

I've been diagnosed for 12 years, since I was 39. I'm still walking short distances with crutches and my balance is very poor, but I work from home, only 2 days a week but it's great, cos it keeps my brain working and keeps me busy.

I was med free until this year when I started to get awful nerve pains in my legs so now I take Gabapentin for that. Ofcourse I have bladder probs so I use Oxybutinin patches which help a bit.

I don't really trust any miracle cures we read about now, I just enjoy my family and friends and I have a very lovely husband who keeps me happy. I am a member of the MS society and take part in a lot of their fund raisers where I've made some great friends who are in the same boat as me. Where in the UK do you live? Were you thinking of having stem cell therapy? Take care.

searchout · 12-09-2008, 12:26 PM

I am based in London. I saw this Stem cell therapy thing in Israel...I think they have a few clinics...The International Center for Cell Therapy & Cancer Immunotherapy (CTCI)
The only thing is which makes me very very suspicious is when they ask you to transfer funds over in advance They ask you to send all your MRI's etc over and I think the money is to pay for their time going through your results...its anout 1200USD

Do you do any complimentary therapies or special diets storm?

L x