Hello all! I have been reading the posts here for months and have learned so much. I read the other posts on this topic, but would really like some first hand experiences-- if anyone would care to share.

Let me give a little background info on myself. I am AB and have been dating a guy that has no feeling from his chest down, but he didn't severe his spinal cord only bruised it. I'm not sure on the exact medical terminology. He was in a dirt bike accident 3 years ago. I have only known him for 7 months. He just recently started this treatment (on Monday) and goes an hour a day, five days a week.

I know everyone is different and what one person experiences may not be true for others, but I'd love some first hand experiences from others on this treatment. Such as, were there any negative side effects? How long before you felt any sort of improvement? How long does/did the treatment last before the improvement came to a plateau? If there was no dramatic improvement did the treatment make you feel better?

I really would like to know what I can expect in the months to come. I love my boyfriend just the way he is, but I know he is miserable. He hates his life most days and anything to even make him feel better I am all for. I am excited because this is the first proactive thing he has done for himself in three years. I think he gave up after his accident. I tell him everyday how much we can do together even if it isn't the way most people go about things. I hope this treatment at least gives him some self confidence back.

Thank you for any information/experiences!

Shandy

Do not smoke in the dang thing. Shit, I go to light one lousy Camel 'n you shoulda' heard the friggin' comotion!
Nurse wouldn't shut up for hours! Blah blah blah blow this up n' blah blah blah ignite that. Lordy lordy fire everywhere!
Sheesh, what a grouch!
E-dog

well i have actually tried this type of therapy... there is a a place in Melbourne that offers this for $130/hr, he also offers LOKOMAT for $150/hr

i personally have not had many benefits from this... the guy that does this is a chiropractor (dodgy enough?), and makes these outrageous claims on how good his therapy is without any real clinical evidence... i would not recommend this therapy AT ALL!


http://hypermed.com.au/

The patients were enclosed in hyperbaric oxygen capsules for 10 hours, blasting their bodies with pure oxygen, at more than twice the amount of normal levels.

Diabetes Hope - Successful Pilot Study of Immature Adult Stem Cells

March 28, 2009

(ChattahBox)—A recent study published in the Journal of Cell Transplantation, offers new hope to the 24 million people in the US who suffer from type 2 diabetes and its harmful affects. The University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute, is conducting its first phase of human clinical trials, using immature adult stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow. After treatment, symptoms significantly lessened, with increased insulin production, lower blood-sugar levels and a reduced need for those dreaded insulin injections.

University researchers conducted the successful pilot study with 25 sufferers of type 2 diabetes. Once they removed the stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow, it was purified and concentrated, and then injected into arteries near the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing the insulin our bodies need.

The next phase of the novel treatment is right out of science fiction. The patients were enclosed in hyperbaric oxygen capsules for 10 hours, blasting their bodies with pure oxygen, at more than twice the amount of normal levels. The hyperbaric chambers are similar to ones used to treat divers with the “bends.”

Researchers found that the high levels of pure oxygen drew additional stem cells from the bone marrow, which joined up with the new cells injected near the pancreas, renewing the pancreas’ ability to make insulin on its own. Research director, Dr. Camillo Ricordi, believes this groundbreaking new treatment could eventually lead to wiping out type 2 diabetes. At the very least, it can ease the painful symptoms and the serious complications of type 2 diabetes.

The University of Miami is expanding its study to the countries of Argentina, Sweden and research centers in Asia. Over the next four years of further clinical trials, researchers are hopeful of obtaining FDA approval to offer the experimental treatment to more patients.

http://chattahbox.com/health/2009/03/28/di...ult-stem-cells/

Thank you for all the responses.

So my boyfriend has gone through two series of treatments. Each series lasts for 6 weeks, I believe. We can definitely tell he has regained some feeling. He can feel further down on his sides and back than before. Also, we are able to have SEX now!! Before he was unable to achieve erection (or keep one very long). Now we can have sex sometimes without the use of any aides and he can achieve ejaculation!! Before the treatment, we tried and tried to have sexual intercourse, but were unsuccessful. NOW we have an incredible sex life and he can achieve multiple orgasms. Of course, he says they don't feel the same as before, but he can feel it in the pit of his stomach and all his muscles spasm. Thought I would share as I am so excited. We had a great relationship before, but there is something about making a man ejaculate that just makes him so much happier (And of course me happier too!)

He just received a government grant to continue through another series of treatments. Each series costs around 6,000 USD. So this is great news!

I believe he will walk again.

Shandy

Hi Shandy

Im so excited for you and your man! My son is half way through his 6 weeks. At this stage we may not be able to measure improved movement BUT he definately has more energy. He is achieving much more at the gym, which is strengthening everything.
Wish we got a grant, because it is a no quarantee thing we pay.

V

Isn't that the same thing that Wack Job Michael Jackson used to sleep in? Why did he use it?
Sorry.......didn't mean to stray from the complete topic.
Stella

I have had a T12 spinal injury since 1982, slightly incomplete, and came across this thread after going scuba diving. I get quite a lot of pain and for 2 or 3 years have rarely been able to sleep through the night, as the constant pain would stop me from sleeping so I'd have to get up and distract myself by watching television.

Last week I went diving in the Red Sea with the UK charity Back Up. Brilliant holiday. But the point is that as a result I spent a few hours in total under pressure (eg similar to going into a hyperbaric chamber): diving at about 15m is 2.5 times normal pressure. On returning I have had 4 straight nights where the pain was such that I could stay in my bed and get back to sleep. Only time will tell whether this improvement lasts but I think it is an interesting coincidence that this improvement occurred after going scuba diving and wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience.

I Shandy, I'm wondering where I can learn more about this government grant. I'm about to start treatments next week but as you say it's very expensive any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lynne