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Stem Cell Treatment Results

Posted , 10 users are following.

elizabeth49611
elizabeth49611

Well, It's been 6 months since I had my stem cell treatment and I can't say that it has helped me. Maybe because I have Bronchiectasis that adds a whole new issue to COPD. My lungs maybe repairing it self, but the weakening of the airway walls (the difference from Bronchiectasis and COPD) will not improve.  I knew that going into the procedure. My hope was an improvement of lung function and less shortness of breath.

But I still have lung infections and are hard to get rid of, so bottom line....think twice before having the procedure if you have Bronchiectasis.  It is still considered research, so insurance will not pay for it.

Elizabeth49611

1 like, 18 replies

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  • terri24729
    terri24729 elizabeth49611

    Posted

    It was at the Pittsburgh location.  She was very pleased with the staff who treated her and my dad well plus were very helpful in dealing with my sister who is mentally challenged (57 years old).  She underwent her second treatment using her own blood cells two weeks ago and hopefully she will continue to improve as it takes up to a year for the stem cells to "reprogram" -- she, like you has a complicating factor, pulmonary fibrosis.  Don't give up ... you just may need the full year for improvement as you have had your condition longer.  She coughs up tons of green stuff but that is better than having it in your lungs.

    • elizabeth49611
      elizabeth49611 terri24729

      Posted

      Terri,

      Great to hear how well your mother is doing.  I will give it more time.  For the past several weeks, I have been doing better.  Usually, when the weather changes, as in the Fall, I don't do very well.  So hopefully, this Fall will be better (last Fall I had to go into the hospital twice).

      Thanks for the update (this forum is great to get and/or share information), Beth

  • elizabeth49611
    elizabeth49611

    Posted

    I just came across this post that I did a year ago.

    I have to say that the last 8-9 months, I have been feeling a lot better. I have very little shortness of breath. It has been over two years since I've had a lung infection, ER visit, hospital stay or a bronchoscopy. 

    A year and a half ago, we moved to an area with better air quality. I have been retired for close to 3 yrs (less stress). And I had the stem cell treatment 2 yrs ago.

    My specialist said that my numbers keep improving this past year. I have been able to decrease my daily nebulizer usage and have gone from 40mg of prednisone to 10mg per day.

    We have done a bit of traveling this past year, and I am always able to keep up with the site seeing and walking.

    I don't know if the stem cell treatment is the cause of the improvement or not, but it didn't hurt. 

    Beth

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