30 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

Paraplegic man died following stem cell operation in Ecuador

A young paraplegic man desperate to find a cure died following a controversial stem cell operation in Ecuador, an inquest heard.

Ricky Chick, 27, of Silverwood Close, Croydon, was left paralysed from the waist down after a serious motorbike accident in 2004 and became "frustrated" at the options available to him in England.

He decided to travel to Hospital San Francisco in Guayaquil, Ecuador for private treatment using stem cell technology, which is being trialled in some countries for treatment of spinal injuries among other conditions.

During the operation in August 2009 in the South American hospital, stem cells were placed into his spine, but when Mr Chick came round, he could not stand any noise and wanted to remain in darkness, Croydon Coroners Court heard.

More ....

[Edinburgh Colin]

Sad, but just shows how desperate some can become.

[Muskie]

So it 2 and 1/2 years to kill him or print the story? Surgery was August 2009 print date 26 Jan 2012. Would have thought if it was the surgery it would have been right away

[Ragadeyanne69]

Did u know Ricky?
I did,he was a dear friend,tht had wished like us all to be cured,in anyway..I myself have considered it,stem cell treatment but there's research tht still needs to be studied...
Muskie the story has come out,as it was the inquest yesterday. so much of the story has unfortunately not been told in detail..
Neglegence,and I'm so cross right now,how you seem to not understand!
My thoughts are with you Chrissy,I shall return when I calm down...
R.I.P RICKY OUR LEGEND,U WILL ALWAYS BE IN HEART..NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET YOUR COURAGE DARLIN..
URE Dear mate Tan xxxxxxxxxx <3 <3

[Charlie-boi]

Apparelyzed, on 26 January 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:

Paraplegic man died following stem cell operation in Ecuador

A young paraplegic man desperate to find a cure died following a controversial stem cell operation in Ecuador, an inquest heard.

Ricky Chick, 27, of Silverwood Close, Croydon, was left paralysed from the waist down after a serious motorbike accident in 2004 and became "frustrated" at the options available to him in England.

He decided to travel to Hospital San Francisco in Guayaquil, Ecuador for private treatment using stem cell technology, which is being trialled in some countries for treatment of spinal injuries among other conditions.

During the operation in August 2009 in the South American hospital, stem cells were placed into his spine, but when Mr Chick came round, he could not stand any noise and wanted to remain in darkness, Croydon Coroners Court heard.

More ....

Couldnt stand the darkness?? I dont understand? I thought the main danger with stem cells was the idea that they can manifest into cancer cells etc. So is there any more info on what went wrong. Brave guy though. If i had the funds i would also try....

[Apparelyzed]

A phobia of light and headache following an operation could be the result of a number of things such as an infection of the meninges.

The article does mention increased intracranial pressure, which can be a symptom of meningitis or can be due to a rise in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The article also mentions Autonomic Dysreflexia.

There seems quite a lot left out of the article, so it's difficult to tell what the cause of death was, or if multiple factors were involved.

Simon.

[edlee]

Operation in Ecuador,,, inquest????? Not likely there was much of one there. I take from the article, that no one there was familiar with AD. Not the enviornment for successful SCI treatment.

As for the sensitivity to light and sound,, and the splitting headache. Pretty much anyone who has undergone a spinal tap can attest to those being the after effects. I have been fortunate in never having experience AD,, but from my reading,, the spike in blood pressure could have caused similar symptoms,, and if untreated,, been fatal.

I often wonder if the term "courage" isn't,, in many cases like this,, confused with desperation.
ed

[Stand]

Exactly why I will not waste my time with clinical trials. I will wait for the real thing to come around, hoping and assuming it does. I'm sure this type of thing happens more often than not but never gets a write up or the attention like this one has.

[Doug]

if half the money for stem cell research was spent on good exo suits we would have all been walking years ago with little trouble and I am sure the tech would shrink down to very slim addons allowing much more freedom way faster then stem cell research.

[richo]

well he wont be having a nother go.but i would be happy too take over his spot,eventuly thay will get it right.and the people too gutless to be that human ginnypig will be abel too walk again.RIP Ricky

[Chickies]

Post Morton said he did not have meningitis. Ricky had suffered many bouts of dysreflexia . I was with him. It was the doctor in Ecuador who didn't recognise it and his lack of knowledge of the condition. He died from a brain haemorrhage due to autonomic dysreflexia . It's important that all doctors and medical people are educated about the dangers of dysreflexia. From Ricky's mum

[DannyR]

I did see a program on Dateline recently about the scams a man was pulling off on stemcell.It is sad that some are taken advantage of when they are looking for an answer.I'm not saying Ricky was scammed just that anybody who tries this needs to be very careful. The scientist who they had on there worked for the government and said that we are years away. I am so sorry for your loss Chickies such a young guy with his whole life in front of him.

[Chickies]

DannyR, on 27 January 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

I did see a program on Dateline recently about the scams a man was pulling off on stemcell.It is sad that some are taken advantage of when they are looking for an answer.I'm not saying Ricky was scammed just that anybody who tries this needs to be very careful. The scientist who they had on there worked for the government and said that we are years away. I am so sorry for your loss Chickies such a young guy with his whole life in front of him.

Ricky was scammed and no mother should see her son being resussitated for 45 mins to be told he was dead and then an hour later tell me he was alive again. He lived for a further two days. it took them one hour to get him into intensive care as they didnt know what to do with him. he was taken away in a camper van critically ill for a brain scan and then brought back. when he passed away they took him away on the back of a pick up truck and embalmed him within 2 hours of his death. I was not allowed to see him in the mortuary as the British Embassy said it would be too upsetting as he wasnt kept in very good condition there. The doctor met me at the airport and showed me pictures on his laptop of pigs being paralysed and then again with them having stem cells and dragging their back ends along the floor. it was horrific and i did not want to see that after my son had passed away. He told me I could ruin his work so basically if i kept quiet I would not have to pay the additional 10200 dollars for the icu treatment after the operation. I told the doctor he should learn lessons from my sons death. approx a year later I emailed the doctor pretending to be a potential patient. I specifically asked were there any risks, deaths or icu admissions from the treatment. His answer was no to all questions. He had conveniently forgotton my son. He had not learned the lesson

[dancin' johnny]

I am shocked by reading this and offer you my sincere condolences on your loss.

[DannyR]

Wow what a nightmare!!! There are no words...

[greybeard]

That's awful. I can't begin to imagine how you must feel.

[Charlie-boi]

Chickies, on 27 January 2012 - 11:34 PM, said:

DannyR, on 27 January 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

I did see a program on Dateline recently about the scams a man was pulling off on stemcell.It is sad that some are taken advantage of when they are looking for an answer.I'm not saying Ricky was scammed just that anybody who tries this needs to be very careful. The scientist who they had on there worked for the government and said that we are years away. I am so sorry for your loss Chickies such a young guy with his whole life in front of him.

Ricky was scammed and no mother should see her son being resussitated for 45 mins to be told he was dead and then an hour later tell me he was alive again. He lived for a further two days. it took them one hour to get him into intensive care as they didnt know what to do with him. he was taken away in a camper van critically ill for a brain scan and then brought back. when he passed away they took him away on the back of a pick up truck and embalmed him within 2 hours of his death. I was not allowed to see him in the mortuary as the British Embassy said it would be too upsetting as he wasnt kept in very good condition there. The doctor met me at the airport and showed me pictures on his laptop of pigs being paralysed and then again with them having stem cells and dragging their back ends along the floor. it was horrific and i did not want to see that after my son had passed away. He told me I could ruin his work so basically if i kept quiet I would not have to pay the additional 10200 dollars for the icu treatment after the operation. I told the doctor he should learn lessons from my sons death. approx a year later I emailed the doctor pretending to be a potential patient. I specifically asked were there any risks, deaths or icu admissions from the treatment. His answer was no to all questions. He had conveniently forgotton my son. He had not learned the lesson

im so sorry.... but your son showed real bravery and initiative to try and better his situation.... this i respect so much

[Tinbasher]

I am really sorry for your loss. Rickys story shows how easy it is to be carried away by both the miguided optimism of genuine doctors and the hard sell of quacks trying to make a fast buck.

I have often been criticised for "negativity" when advising caution to posters who are contemplating going off to seek stem cell treatment abroad. Sadly rickys story spells it out. A doctor so ignorant of sci that he didn't EXPECT AD is dabbling with peoples lives.

All we can do is make sure his story isn't forgotten.

Tom

[Chickies]

richo, on 27 January 2012 - 03:02 AM, said:

well he wont be having a nother go.but i would be happy too take over his spot,eventuly thay will get it right.and the people too gutless to be that human ginnypig will be abel too walk again.RIP Ricky

Those that try, pave the way for others. You too are a brave person

[richo]

Chickies, on 28 January 2012 - 12:00 PM, said:

richo, on 27 January 2012 - 03:02 AM, said:

well he wont be having a nother go.but i would be happy too take over his spot,eventuly thay will get it right.and the people too gutless to be that human ginnypig will be abel too walk again.RIP Ricky

Those that try, pave the way for others. You too are a brave person

you be safe and strong.and wotever god there is,bless you all.XXX

[Tinbasher]

"eventuly thay will get it right.and the people too gutless to be that human ginnypig will be abel too walk again"

Richo this isn't the thread to debate your comment in depth but I don't know one single person living with sci who is "gutless".

[edlee]

I, too, took particular offense at that statement,,, but,, you are right Tin,,, this isn't the time or place for a battle. Bravery or desperation,, the fact is that a young man's life ended, needlessly. My sympathy is with his family.
ed

[richo]

edlee, on 29 January 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

I, too, took particular offense at that statement,,, but,, you are right Tin,,, this isn't the time or place for a battle. Bravery or desperation,, the fact is that a young man's life ended, needlessly. My sympathy is with his family.
ed

this is for tom and ed,i diddent direct that gutless thing at any one.just was my thoughts.and rickys mum wassent offended.so do go on wat makes your 2 bobs in worth so mutch more than mine.

Edited by richo, 30 January 2012 - 12:04 AM.

[Ted 303]

Really sad story. all my best to his family.
anyone know if was directly caused by AD or surgery?

[Chickies]

Ted 303, on 01 February 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

Really sad story. all my best to his family.
anyone know if was directly caused by AD or surgery?

Definately was autonomic dysreflexia. Confirmed by spinal specialist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

[emrac]

So sad to hear a story like this

[Ted 303]

ya its f*@kin scary cause i get AD sometimes jesus they are some headaches I have his spray (Nitrolingual Pumpsray)which I given when i was in rehab to bring down the BP. It might help someone else on here if they hadnt heard of it before.

Only down side is it drops the BP to to floor. U would wrecked after it then, better than getting a stroke or worst. did ye ever get AD?

[Apparelyzed]

I used to get it in tablet form, so you can spit it out when you feel the headache going.

Simon

[Ted 303]

Ya that might be a better way maybe less intense after the headache. If i can ask u Simon would u get them regular or just now & again?

Up until few months ago I used to get my SP cather changed every 8weeks & now with the last 3months its down to 4weeks & maybe a bout of AD at the end of the 4th week in your opionion is this unusual or should I just get it changed more often?

With regards the AD I was just told in Rehab to know yourself about the causes & treatment I have a card with cause & treatment laminated to show my dr or hospital. And also the sit upright, find the cause & treat it, take spray if needed.

I had been told by a dr few years back take 2Paracetmol, glass of water, & relax, f*@king ape

Would everyone agree with this course of action?

[Ferreira]

I cant express what i felt when i read this.
Is it possible to know the doctor´s name and the hospital´s?
My condolences to the family, i am very sorry about your big loss and what those people made you go through.