3 replies to this topic

[Trinity]

I have read a lot on the forum about stem cell treatment and the lengths that people are willing to go to and the amount of money that people are willing to spend. A lot of people talk about being “accepted” for treatment. What I’m wondering is if anyone is ever “rejected”. Maybe I’m just being cynical but I can’t see anyone being rejected by clinics due to the amount of money they earn, whether a patient stands any chance of returns or not surely it is not in the clinics financial interest to reject anyone.

Another question is how can you be sure that you are receiving stem cells? If you are receiving any sort of human cell or blood from another country how can you guarantee that there is no disease such as hepatitis or even HIV? What sort of fall back do you have if things go wrong or is this a chance that you take?


Trinity

[Hapahowlee]

I believe there are real Doctors doing these treatments and I'm sure patients seeking help from these doctors must meet a certain criteria. Such as level of injury, sensation, general health, etc. I see your point with the money factor, but I tend to believe these Doctors are trying to help cure diseases if not just for the money, but prestige/status.

My husband has thought about going out of the country to try something, but I am leary about it because we don't know what they are injecting and also the factor you mentioned about tainted stem cells. You are just playing with fire in my opinion b/c there is nothing you can do is something goes wrong. We have our granddaughter's blood cord cells in storage, but we don't know if my husband will be a match with even that. There are other facilities within the U.S. that takes donations from people who want to see their baby's blood cord go to good use, but don't want to pay for the storage and don't know anyone who needs to use it. My husband may have to use one of these facilities when treatment is approved in the U.S.

In 1995 we went down to visit the Miami Project hoping my husband would be a good candidate for a research subject. My husband is a C5,6,7 and often referred to as a tetraplegic. He is 6'2" and then he weighed about 190 lbs and worked out regularly. He had good strong, hard biceps, pecs, lats, delts, and even managed to keep some triceps. His neck was about 17 1/2 inches. My husband spoke with several people at the Miami Project about our intention, before we flew down. When we got to the facility, he was ordered to get an MRI and Xrays and scheduled to see a Dr. for an exam. The Dr. gave my husband a routine exam and prescribed baclofen, which he didn't need. They were basically done with us. We explained to the Dr. that my husband wanted to talk to someone about being involved in a research project. We now believe, since the registration staff found out my husband had Medicare, they booked him for an appointment for this routine exam just for the money. After meeting again with this Dr. and the Almighty, Dr. Barth Green (the lead Dr. of the Miami Project) for about 2 minutes, my husband was told that the research they were doing, which was very intense electrical stimulation implants would be too painful for my husband since he has full feeling. We had a good time the rest of the week at the beach, but we could have saved a lot of money, if the experts my husband spoke with before would have just told him he wouldn't be a good candidate at this time. But they saw an opportunity to get Medicare to pay for an exam. So yes, money seems to be the first priority in healthcare.

[E-DOG]

trinity, on Jun 5 2008, 01:33 PM, said:

I have read a lot on the forum about stem cell treatment and the lengths that people are willing to go to and the amount of money that people are willing to spend. A lot of people talk about being “accepted” for treatment. What I’m wondering is if anyone is ever “rejected”. Maybe I’m just being cynical but I can’t see anyone being rejected by clinics due to the amount of money they earn, whether a patient stands any chance of returns or not surely it is not in the clinics financial interest to reject anyone.

Another question is how can you be sure that you are receiving stem cells? If you are receiving any sort of human cell or blood from another country how can you guarantee that there is no disease such as hepatitis or even HIV? What sort of fall back do you have if things go wrong or is this a chance that you take?


Trinity

If you go to a country where there are 5 people per square foot,China or where the cow is concidered more important than human beings, India for something as complicated and dangerous as stem cell therapy yer gonna get what you asked for. Ya pays yer mony, ya takes yer chances.
Research the living shit outa' things before ya go.
In '89 I got hep c from a VA hospital here in the states, so ya never know. Course this was before anyone was testing blood for hep c. But you get the picture.
Oh, and hey, the neighbors german sheperd is pregnant. You sure you don't want me to give it a try?
Just thought I'd ask.
E

[jass1]

if stem cell treatment successful we all will be walking know