A friend is thinking about applying for the OEC Transplant/surgery provided by Dr. Lima.
I've done quite a bit of reserch, however (as it seems with everything else at this point) I am a sort of skeptical.
What are your thoughts about the subject?
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In Need Of Advice
Started by
Kristin
, Jul 22 2005 01:02 AM
2 replies to this topic
Top#2
Bob Clark
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Posted 07 August 2005 - 04:00 PM
Hi Kristin,
I saw a TV show (on CBS I think) about Dr. Lima and his OEC transplant surgery. It appears to show some promise. Regenerating nerves like those in our own olfactory tissue sure takes the embryonic stem cell controversy out of the picture. And the complications of our bodies rejecting foreign cells.
The woman who had the transplant surgery done claimed that it helped her a little bit and was hoping that with more time she'd enjoy more benefit. But I found the show somewhat misleading. After the surgery it showed her walking using parallel bars so I really sat up and paid attention. But later on learned that she had much of that ability before the transplant surgery. Of course I was disappointed. I'd like to see or hear from someone who is a complete para or quad and has gone through his procedure.
In any event I would suggest that your friend wait awhile for more evidence to surface and do more research on it. It's very early on and you'll want this doctor's procedure to be peer reviewed. If it holds promise or can be of help now he shouldn't have any problem having his work peer reviewed. Just think of all the money there is to be made. And when there's an incentive like money involved don't think for a second that the private corporate "for profit" hospitals in this country won't be standing in line to open up a new wing!
You don't want your friend to spend all that time and money and go through all that hassle only to be a guinea pig for this doctor. And perhaps most important of all, the procedure may further permanently damage the nerves so that in the future, if an effective therapy is found, your friend may then be out of luck.
I'm sure this doctor has many people "sitting" in line waiting for the procedure so there isn't any shortage of damaged spinal cords for him to experiment on.
When a bone fide effective treatment is available I don't think it'll be hidden in Lisbon, Portugal. I appreciate any and all work done in this field but IMO the jury is still out and more evidence is needed.
It's probable that while regenerating the motor nerves that the sensory nerves are also being regenerated. So someone may regain the useless ability to wiggle a toe but also reconnect some sensory nerves resulting in severe debilitating pain. I don't recall the doctor talking about this possible side effect. Something to think about.
I'm waiting on Part 2 of the below article.
http://www.healingth...toryTissue1.htm
I saw a TV show (on CBS I think) about Dr. Lima and his OEC transplant surgery. It appears to show some promise. Regenerating nerves like those in our own olfactory tissue sure takes the embryonic stem cell controversy out of the picture. And the complications of our bodies rejecting foreign cells.
The woman who had the transplant surgery done claimed that it helped her a little bit and was hoping that with more time she'd enjoy more benefit. But I found the show somewhat misleading. After the surgery it showed her walking using parallel bars so I really sat up and paid attention. But later on learned that she had much of that ability before the transplant surgery. Of course I was disappointed. I'd like to see or hear from someone who is a complete para or quad and has gone through his procedure.
In any event I would suggest that your friend wait awhile for more evidence to surface and do more research on it. It's very early on and you'll want this doctor's procedure to be peer reviewed. If it holds promise or can be of help now he shouldn't have any problem having his work peer reviewed. Just think of all the money there is to be made. And when there's an incentive like money involved don't think for a second that the private corporate "for profit" hospitals in this country won't be standing in line to open up a new wing!
You don't want your friend to spend all that time and money and go through all that hassle only to be a guinea pig for this doctor. And perhaps most important of all, the procedure may further permanently damage the nerves so that in the future, if an effective therapy is found, your friend may then be out of luck.
I'm sure this doctor has many people "sitting" in line waiting for the procedure so there isn't any shortage of damaged spinal cords for him to experiment on.
When a bone fide effective treatment is available I don't think it'll be hidden in Lisbon, Portugal. I appreciate any and all work done in this field but IMO the jury is still out and more evidence is needed.
It's probable that while regenerating the motor nerves that the sensory nerves are also being regenerated. So someone may regain the useless ability to wiggle a toe but also reconnect some sensory nerves resulting in severe debilitating pain. I don't recall the doctor talking about this possible side effect. Something to think about.
I'm waiting on Part 2 of the below article.
http://www.healingth...toryTissue1.htm
#3
AHolland
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Posted 08 August 2005 - 01:48 AM
I would be hesitant to go through that operation for a few reasons. Please keep in mind that at this point, I would jump at just about anything.
1) There is too much promissing research going on out there that may help in the near (5 years+) future. However, like laser eye surgery, the first people in had some successes and a lot just had their eyes torched until the operation was perfected. I would hate to get mangled, only to find a real fix come a few years after.
2) Like someone else said, if it was that easy, then dozens of other people would be doing it. Western doctors are quick to grab onto anything that will make a buck or fame for them. If no one else is doing it after a number of years, I would really suspect it is bunk and that the fix's have been marginal or cooincidental.
1) There is too much promissing research going on out there that may help in the near (5 years+) future. However, like laser eye surgery, the first people in had some successes and a lot just had their eyes torched until the operation was perfected. I would hate to get mangled, only to find a real fix come a few years after.
2) Like someone else said, if it was that easy, then dozens of other people would be doing it. Western doctors are quick to grab onto anything that will make a buck or fame for them. If no one else is doing it after a number of years, I would really suspect it is bunk and that the fix's have been marginal or cooincidental.
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