Healthcare Hacks - The India Story

Stem Cell Regeneration in Muscles

Fred Lee — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:20:12 -0400

Scientists may have found a novel method to help regenerate muscle by stimulating the formation of stem cells responsible for growth, repair, and regeneration of damaged tissue. The findings out of Canada could open up powerful new ways in which to treat degenerative conditions such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia

Stem cells give rise to all of the tissue and organs in our body. Specialized ones known as satellite stem cells actually reside in the muscles and are precursors to new tissue. Under normal, healthy circumstances, they are dormant and do not undergo cell division or growth. However, they become activated in the event of trauma or disease and undergo differentiation to become mature cells.

By exploiting a specialized protein known as Wnt7a, researchers were actually able to increase the number of active satellite stem cells in animal models, resulting in bigger and stronger muscles, with tissue mass increasing by as much as 20%. Though there is still a lot work that needs to be done, the research may help scientists develop important new ways to treat muscular degeneration, or atrophy, which is becoming a growing problem in a society where inactivity is becoming more common.

Most people experience some degree of muscular decline with age, a condition known as sarcopenia. As we grow older and are less active, the regenerative process becomes less efficient and muscle is gradually replaced with fat, which can lead to weakness and frailty. Though the condition is generally not life-threatening, it can severely limit a person’s mobility and range of motion, thus increasing their risk for accidents and injury.

In addition to the normal aging process, the most common causes of atrophy are diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, and injury. However, lifestyle choices are becoming an increasingly significant problem. Even though for many people, being inactive is simply a part of the recovery process from injury or disease, a growing number of people are choosing to be sedentary, opting to spend time in front of the TV or computer rather than be active. Coupled with unhealthy dietary choices, the situation can worsen over time and could adversely affect their quality of life.

Whatever be the cause, the new findings represent hope to people suffering from muscular degeneration, but there are in fact ways to help lessen the severity of these conditions and maybe even avoid them altogether. Exercise is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to build strength and stamina, and a healthy diet is a means to this end. Together they can potentially prepare you body for any unforeseen injuries or illnesses that seem to be an inevitable par of life.

Best of all, it doesn’t take much, and could simply require sacrificing an hour or two of “screen time” for a few days a week, and eating a healthier diet. So consult an expert about your options. Speak with your physician or talk to a nutritionist to get some advice about an exercise plan that best suits you, and whatever you do, get out there and move around a little. Break a sweat, if you can, and surround yourself with other active people.

Chances are you could very well look and feel better, and you just might have a lot of fun. You never know, stranger things have happened.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Stem cells

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Moving Forward, Climbing Rocks

amybscher — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:14:18 -0400

By amybscher

I’ve been trying to update this blog for a few weeks now since I know some of you have been wondering what happened after my last post with the somber’ish mood. As a reminder, it was the one where I was consuming ridiculous amounts of food and trying to decipher if the short period of pain I experienced was instigated by an overzealous exercise program or possibly by a Lyme flare. I’m still not positive of what caused the very temporary (five-day) madness I experienced. Times like last month test me in so many ways, but ultimately it is the trust in myself I am reminded I must I hold tight to.

A few people last month commented on my reaction to what I went through as being a test of my faith in the stem cells, my health, etc. They have somehow decided if I were to even briefly consider that once in awhile, things may not be perfect in a body that has just recently stabilized from a living hell, I have lost faith or given into fear. I believe whole-heartedly that the only fear that can injure you, is fear that is repressed. Stare it in its face, acknowledge its presence and then let it go - and it will dissolve. Pretend it’s not there, and it will kick you down. Despite my amazing mind-body connection and the absolute confidence that I know myself better than anyone else ever could, I got well meaning advice galore from those around me who insisted it was definitely not Lyme, but rather one of various other possibilities from a long list (from the full moon to “retracing,” which is a process that can be likened to the healing crisis). Many people tried to lovingly reassure me (good) but there are always the 'know it alls' who are telling you (bad). It's funny how people can take such a defensive ownership...in someone else's life.

My default thought for times like those are.....'it's probably not Lyme, but what if it is?' I live by the motto, however sometimes lackadaisically, 'better safe than sorry.'

I kind of feel like this deserves an explanation to clarify the difference between post disease fear-driven paranoia and basic common sense. I do not constantly worry about Lyme. In fact, it rarely crosses my mind as an option for any physical symptom that may arise anymore. Headache? I must be dehydrated. Stomach hurts? Too much candy. Tired? I do too much and sleep too little. So, when I wonder about Lyme, it is because I refuse to be the hero that ‘missed all the signs’ because she was so busy trying not to worry about it that she lost all logic. I’ve met those people and they don’t win the race any faster. I had a short nine months of antibiotic therapy before I went to India for stem cells. I know people who have been on antibiotics for 5+ years that still have an active infection. It’s not unreasonable of me to consider that I might need more along the way to maintain where I am. I would rather be honest than stupid.

So, armored with ‘I know best’ ammunition, I ended up making an appointment with my doctor to decide what to do about the ‘whatever happened’ incident (which I have now officially renamed the entire episode). By the time I had the appointment, my only remaining symptom was intuition. It wasn’t necessarily intuition that the Lyme was back, but rather intuition that a short dose of antibiotics would be the right thing – protection IF there was a Lyme flare and peace of mind if there wasn’t.

Even with my doctor’s aggressive treatment style, it was decided I’d go on only 7 days of antibiotics a month, the week before my menstrual cycle which is when ‘whatever happened’ last month, happened. This month was a breeze – no symptoms, no reactions to the meds, no nothing. I am full of energy, still chasing random stem cell craving induced concoctions, and traveling and working without consequence.

Wanting to go back on meds brought me back to so much of how I struggled over the years with the concept that if I simply believe the Lyme could not conquer me, it couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea. I believe in it to a great extent; and live my life in a way where Lyme attacks cross my mind only very occasionally anymore, because I do believe a strong body and mind cannot be conquered. But, there is also reality. There is reality that I simply cannot forget (nor would I want to) how much of the disease is a part of me, in a historical sense really. How it has helped mold me into the person I am, the survivor I knew I’d one day be. Because of that, I have come to a place where I refuse to abuse this amazing blessing of health by simply ignoring the delicateness of it all. This is a brand new place for me.

Six months ago I had a scathing face anytime a dose of 'maintenance' or 'safety' medication was brought up, or I came to a situation where I didn’t think I was strong enough physically or otherwise. But one of the sweetest people in my life has recently said something to me that I'm not sure I've ever considered with my eternal stubbornness. She said that sometimes not being strong, is the strongest thing you can be. The inability to be weak has always been one of my greatest weaknesses but it suddenly seems so much less scary. It’s a lesson that no doubt is hard for me to swallow, but I get it. And coming from one of the strongest people I know, I’m going to take it as absolute truth. Thank you C for making me see things in a new light (we know it's a challenge).

So, I have decided this: I will do ANYTHING to never get back to where I once was. Let it be fueled by a healthy amount of fear that reminds me I am not invincible. Let it be powered by enough strength to let me live without the worry but also enough to admit when I do. But most importantly, let me be patient enough with others to just listen to them and realize they are well meaning but this is still my body and my life. I am thankfully grounded enough to continue on the path I am on despite the rocks in the road – for I have taken a few wrong turns but many many more right ones.

By my sister-in-law’s encouragement (ok, borderline nagging) one day while watching her at her rock climbing gym, I caved into her pleas for me to try it with a hesitant “okay, I will.” Fully unprepared in jeans, I put on the harness, listened to a quick lesson from her and went for it. I was floored by my ease in scaling up the wall even with my slight setback last month. I was totally fearless about the height despite being scared to dizziness on a gondola ride just weeks before at the Santa Cruz pier (albeit being securely fastened in the seat). I think it reconfirmed how much I trust myself (ok, and my sister-in-law too as she was holding the safety rope in case I fell). It reminded me that I am safe in my own hands; that I have gotten myself this far, to a place where I was pulling my own weight up a wall of rocks. The same weight that just a couple of years ago, I could hardly lift off the couch some days.

I know you need strength and balance to rock climb – two things I didn’t have before my stem cell treatments. But, it also reminded me of some very important lessons that perhaps are more instrumental than muscles and important for more than just times on a rock:

Try to reach the top, no matter how high it may seem.

Always wear comfy clothes so you are ready for whatever may come.

Never ever look down; it’s the wrong way.

Rock climbing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvfbszjqSfY.

Permalink | 1 comment | amybscher's blog | Channel: The India Story, Amy's journey, Stem cells

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Curry: The Ultimate Cure For Stem Cell Craziness

amybscher — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:28:13 -0400

By amybscher

These are not food cravings. This is food compulsion. I am convinced.

I am back in my pajamas at 2 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon watching the movie Seven Pounds (which makes me cry every time), and dripping in Indian food. It is the latest must have that strikes every couple of days like clockwork. Yesterday was Chinese food. The day before? Cottage cheese and chocolate; alternate bites. Afternoons bring coffee (decaf of course) desperation. It used to be one cup a week. Now, it's two a day with vanilla creamer in a regular glass, not a coffee cup. The intensity of the insanity comes in waves. There are times I can eat just anything and be fine. And then, there are the other times which belong in a category all their own. These times are ones like now, where I have curry much too close to my laptop, and enough food in the kitchen from an Indian restaurant I drove over 30 minutes in the rain to pick up food from, to feed four of me. These are ‘stem cell cravings.’ I have no one in my life these days willing to support my impulsive craziness for these needs. My family seems to see them as wants but it goes deeper so I am on my own – apparently in the rain and in the car and in my pj’s…just hoping no other urges strike tonight.

I have been riding an emotional (and possibly part hormonal) roller coaster lately. And in addition, my ankles and knees have decided to scare the hell out of me by hurting. I broke the one cardinal rude of Dr. Ashish’s which is most likely the reason for all of this: don’t overdo it. But alas, I never listen, and then I worry. I have an internal drive to overdo everything and anything because to me, that is the race to beyond post-Lyme. The finish line is the place where I almost can’t see it sitting in my past anymore; when I can get far enough ahead that the thoughts of what it could do if ever to return are gone, and I can feel totally safe. That point will be beyond a disease that destroyed relationships and my body and pretty much everything but my spirit. I have forgotten what it feels like to be sick. But, I still want more...to forget what it feels like to fear its return, even if the fear only visits on occassion now.

A couple of weeks ago, I started a new exercise program, in hopes of helping me sleep more soundly, and getting my body to a stronger place. Well, in true Amy style, I didn’t start slow – I jumping jacked and lunged myself a little too ambitiously perhaps, giving my body no time to adjust after years and years of tattered joints and tendons and destroyed muscles. I often forget how deconditioned I might be deep down on the inside. And I think I’m paying now. On the other hand, painful tendons and joints are one of my classic Lyme symptoms. And even though I started feeling the pain around the same time as I stepped up my exercise, it still pulls that part of me inside that….well, wonders ‘what if?’ The timing is slightly eerie as I’ve been feeling the invisible tug on my arm that tells me it’s time for more Lyme testing. It was agreed upon by my doctors not long ago that I’d do it again, around now. I finished a 6-week round of antibiotics about a month ago without a touch of a problem. No herx reaction, no Lyme? One would like to think. But I always toy with the question, “how much is enough?” Should I have done 8 weeks? Or another medication? And no one, even the best doctors in the U.S., have the answers.

As I was sitting and waiting for my Indian food drinking chai (offered to me by the owner after I divulged I’ve been to Delhi, three times now), I realized my cravings for Indian food represent so much more than just food. My body is craving the nutrients it needs to support my baby stem cells growth but also, it is craving more. It craves the absolute freedom and safety I feel in the other world I miss so much – India. I discovered so much of my life there – spirit, love, undying hope. Delhi is dirty and crowded and chaotic and everything I hate – but I am absolutely and utterly, taken by the city. I feel torn when I’m in the states, like something is missing. It can’t be explained unless you’ve been there, and maybe not even then. You either hate it, or love it. And even if you love it, you hate to love it. So unique, that even in its depths of despair and extremes, it has the most beautiful aura; one uniquely its own. Fellow patients and family members will be shaking their heads in agreement when they read this. The food, with it’s spiciness and sweetness and rich texture calms my cravings instantly, but also my soul. I feel at home. I am reminded that everything will be ok and that fear is no longer bigger than survival – of Lyme, or of anything else.

My energy and stamina are strong and although my ‘what if?’ worries fall by the wayside more and more with time, I realize I need reminders to keep them at bay. Sometimes it creeps in, at times like this. Times when I’m having trouble walking up and down the same stairs I was running on two weeks ago. Patients often ask me if I’m “totally normal” now and I, without thought, always say “yes.” But moments like today remind me I still have a little ways to go. This is a slow process and sometimes I think the body heals at a faster pace than the mind. Actually, I know it does.

I left the Indian restaurant with a box full of to-go food packed ironically, in a Corona beer box, and saw that I was getting a parking ticket as I walked down the street. In my chai induced state of bliss, I ran over to the officer and said “Wait….I was just getting Indian food. I really needed it. I miss India. I lost track of time.” She looked at me confused and said, “Well, your meter ran out.” I politely responded with, “I won’t try to argue. I get it. I really needed this food so I guess it's worth the ticket.” I put my hand out to take it. She looked at me with confusion, cocked her head to the side as if she were thinking deeply and bargained with me: “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to let you go but put some extra money in the meter next time, ok?” I thanked her and hurried into the car. While sifting through my wallet when I parked, I found more rupees than quarters, which is why there wasn’t more in the meter in the first place. I grabbed the garlic naan out of the Corona box, tucked it in the front seat with me for the drive home and giggled to myself, proud for having escaped a ticket. KARMA.

I am now fed and happy and re-charged. The Hindi music that was playing in the restaurant dances in my head. I still see the shades of pink and yellow that adorned the tables, and my answer of what to do next about the impending fear just came to me so clearly, it's like someone whispered it in my ear.

Her name is Neo.

I met her in India.

And it changed my life forever.

I know you want more, but I can't give an explanation that will do the experience justice at the moment.

She asked me the first time I met her what my biggest fear was. And I said, "Lyme returns," as if it is a horror movie which tries to keep itself alive with sequels. And she said two things with the most determined straight face:

"So what?? If it returns, you will heal yourself again just like you did before" and "the disease served its purpose in your life. You don't need it anymore so it has no reason to return."

They are the two most intelligent things anyone has ever said to me in all those years of struggle. Maybe the two most intelligent things anyone has said to me ever. When I remember her words and the absolute force in which she said them, my entire body relaxes into this safe place that I cannot even begin to explain.

Curry. A Skype appointment with Neo. And some more time in my jammies. Perfect.

If I can’t get to Delhi on this Saturday afternoon to bake in the humidity, marvel at the people packed streets where everyone still has room to smile, complain to Dr. Shroff and have her say “don’t worry, you are fine” in a tone that drives me crazy but screams you don't have to believe it but you do have to listen, and stop at my favorite flower stand for tuberose, then these are the next best things.

Oh yes. And one more plate of Indian food to seal the deal. Ahhh, I feel better already.

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Note: More information about Neo and her amazing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can be found here: http://www.astrology-neo.com/index.html

Also, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail if you have any questions: editor@healthcarehacks.com.

Permalink | 3 comments | amybscher's blog | Channel: The India Story, Amy's journey, Stem cells

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The Use Of Stem Cells to Cure Blindness

Fred Lee — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:07:01 -0400

By Fred Lee

In a groundbreaking study (Stem Cell Therapy Makes Cloudy Corneas Clear, Science Daily), scientists may have discovered a minimally invasive way to utilize a person’s own stem cells to treat and repair damaged corneas. The formation of scar tissue that can result from illness or trauma to the eye can cause the cornea to become opaque and thus lose its transparency, leading to blindness.

Since corneal scarring is permanent, the current therapy to treat the damaged tissue has been to replace it. Each year about 40,000 transplants are performed in the U.S. They are usually successful in treating vision problems, but they are an extremely delicate procedure and are largely unavailable to people in developing countries.

Transplants are also, for the most part, not permanent and come with the inherent problems of finding a suitable match as well as the possibility of tissue rejection. Furthermore, the pool of potential donors, which is already limited, is being affected by the rise in popularity of Lasik surgery, which renders the cornea unfit for transplantation.

The use of a person’s own cells would get around many of these problems, especially in lieu of the fact that the stem cells in question are actually present in the mature eye, residing in the fibrous tissue of the corneal stroma. These cells apparently produce the key compounds required for the production of the stromal tissue, one of which was identified as the protein, lumican. These stem cells, however, are largely inactive, and don’t step in to repair damage when it happens. The body seems to opt for the quickest, most efficient path of repairing the damage (by way of scar tissue) rather than actually replacing it.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, however, were able to take these stem cells out of the eye and propagate, or clone, them in the laboratory. They were then injected into the eyes of laboratory mice who were unable to produce lumican and were consequently suffering from degenerative corneal blindness.

Afterward, the corneas actually cleared up and normal vision was restored. Interestingly, the human cells were able to colonize the mouse eyes, without the usual tissue rejection problems that can complicate transplantation Experiments have been undertaken that looked how the procedure would fair in human tissue using eyes from tissue banks. These organs were no longer usable for transplantation, and the results were promising.

Even still, human testing is years away, but it is a very promising first step, and because the stem cells can be generated from the recipient themselves, i.e., the recipient and donor are one-the-same, there are no problems of tissue rejection or time lost searching for a suitable donor.

In the end, the implications for stem cell therapy are huge, not just for the eyes but for the entire body, and the findings represent yet another example of the potential promise that stem cell therapy holds for the future.

Permalink | 2 comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Stem cells

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Medical Tourism: Tips To Start Your Journey

amybscher — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:47:29 -0400

By amybscher

This morning, I was lucky enough to be a guest on a radio show, hosted by Wisebread's Linsey Knerl and part of the discussion included the ever so popular concept of "medical tourism."

I discussed a few tips on where to start if you are interested in possibly taking your healthcare journey out of the country so I thougth I'd jot some ideas down here as well for Healthcare Hacks readers.

First let me say, medical tourism is not for everyone. It only makes sense in some situations:

If there is access to a type or quality of medical care that you can only get outside of your country
If the benefit of traveling out of the country lessens the financial burden for you or your family (and it is safe enough for you to travel)
If you and/or your doctor feel the treatment or procedure is safe and you've researched it properly (obviously saving money is not the most important reason)

So, once you've made a decision, where do you start?

There are two ways to begin your medical tourism search.

1. Do it on your own. Hit the internet hard and research medical facilities, patient recommendations, forums, etc.

Depending on what type of procedure or treatment you need, different countries may be more advanced than others. For instance, Costa Rica is well-known for its impressive plastic surgeons while India is knows for excellence in cardiac care. That doesn't mean that there aren't great plastic surgeons in India and cardiologists in Costa Rica, but it will help narrow down your potential destinations to look into this type of thing.

Quality standards. You wil need to research quality standards for hospitals and treatment facilities in the country you choose. They need to be graded by some other agency than themselves for safety, cleanliness, etc. For example, hospitals may recieve a comprehensive inspection and certification by the ISO (International Organization For Standardization). The ISO was founded in 1947, as a worldwide standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. ISO is non-governmental organization that has the ability to set standards that often become law.

Cost effectiveness. You have to research accommodations and other costs as well as how much the actual procedure or treatment will cost in another country. For instance, a cardiac surgery may be much cheaper somewhere outside of your country, but will you end up making up that cost in vaccinations, flights, accommodations, and food?

Aftercare considerations. The hospital or treatment center will surely be equipped to deal with whatever you have come there for (because you will be researching this thoroughly before you go). However, in case there is an emergency, do they have a bigger or more advanced hospital close by you could be transfered to?

Network with others who have been through this and find referrals for treatment centers where you are going. Often times, you can find this information online. Sometimes, the facility themselves will have patients who might be willing to share their experiences with you, so always ask the patient liasion or coordinator.

2. Find a medical tourism company or service.

If the task of doing it all yourself seems overwhelming, you can opt to contact a company that specializes in this kind of thing. They do everything from help you source out the best facility for your healthcare needs, to booking your travel for you. Each one operates a bit differently as far as the services they provide.

A good company should have done all the background checking you would have otherwise had to do. They should be prepared to tell you about the facility and its certifications, biographies on the physicians, and even possibly refer you to patients who have gone through their company that are willing to speak to others.

Some medical tourism companies offer services for a specific country only; while others are contracted with facilities all over the world. Even though one that contracts with facilities all over the world might seem better at first, always consider that if they focus on just one country, they may be more familiar with cultural difference, language barriers (if there are any), the hospitals and staff on a personal basis, etc. If they are actually operating from the country, they may be able to handle things more efficiently too. These are not steadfast rules but just something to think about.

Quotes for procedures and treatments. Medical tourism companies will be able to get you quotes from many different facilites and for different procedures much more easily than you can. This is because they are contracted with certain facilites to provide this type of service; and have either standard rates for certain things, or access to the staff at the facility who can provide them with the information quickly. It would take you a lot longer to call around, run comparisons, etc.

No direct cost to you. All of the medical tourism companies I have seen, receive their compensation from the hospitals they are contracted with, and not the patients/clients. The hospital will usually give the medical tourism company a percentage of the procedure or treatment as a fee for organizing the care. So, the patient does not pay out of pocket for these services.

As far as I know, there is not necessarily any organization that regulates medical tourism companies. So, you are going to have to research very carefully to find one. The best way to do this is by searching online and finding others who have been happy with the company they used.

Although I did not use a medical tourism company to plan my trip to India for embryonic stem cell therapy, I did however receive much support from a company in India who I have come to know well. One of the owners found this blog and wrote me a very nice note basically wishing me luck from their team, even though I had never used them. I was able to e-mail Don Wood with simple questions during my treatment and he was never anything but sincere and generous with his time and advice. If I ever needed a procedure or treatment that I was unfamiliar with, I would absolutely go to Americas Medical Solutions.

I know there are many of them out there so I am in no way recommending anyone in particular; just giving on overview of my experience. I did like how Americas Medical Solutions is run by three Americans but is based in India. I feel that is a very good model for this type of company. It allows them to relate to both the provider and the patient as well as gives them the advantage of being close by in case a need arises.

If you are searching for a medical tourism company, keep in mind that you will be in a different time zone (most likely) if you travel to another country for care, but the company is in your home country. Ask them if they have someone on call 24 hours a day in case you need something.

Medical tourism is an ever expanding field so we will definitely be seeing more avenues for our healthcare opening up.

Remember to research thoroughly and talk to others who have been through it.

Here's to good health, in every country!

Permalink | 5 comments | amybscher's blog | Channel: Helpful know-hows, Patient Insider, Amy's journey

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Creating Organs From Our Own Stem Cells

Fred Lee — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:42:57 -0400

By Fred Lee

If you think that creating body parts in the laboratory is the stuff of science fiction, think again, because the field of regenerative medicine has made the synthesis of human tissue an exciting reality, and the implications for organ transplantation, not to mention for medicine as a whole, are enormous.

Regeneration is a process that utilizes the body’s own cells and machinery to replace lost or damaged tissue. Under ordinary circumstances, when we are injured, cell death occurs at the damaged site, which in turn alerts the immune system that there is a problem. The body’s “immune response” is to send in white blood cells to clean things up while the body repairs the damage. The ensuing scar tissue heals the wound, but prevents any further cell growth from occurring.

With regenerative medicine, by employing a structural element that every living animal has, doctors have been able to halt the scarring process and instead coax the body into restoring the tissue and thus replace what has been lost through injury or disease. That structural element in question is known as extra-cellular matrix, or ECM.

ECM is made up of proteins and some complex sugars, or polysaccharides, and is often referred to as a type of “scaffolding” to which cells are bound. In other words, the cells in our body aren’t just floating around inside of us, something holds them together (with the exception of blood, of course), and that something is the ECM.

At one time it was believed that the ECM had simply a structural purpose to hold the cells in place, but it is now known that it plays a much larger role, influencing such things as cell form, development, and function. In fact, when we are in the womb, the ECM interacts with stem cells to direct the development of the human body, though it is believed that once the fetus is fully developed, the ECM ceases to operate in this capacity.

However, with the addition of “external” ECM, which is often derived from pigs, doctors are hoping that the seemingly dormant ECM can be awakened into activity, and in fact, that appears to be exactly what can happen, as seen in the flesh, no pun intended, on a recent episode of Oprah.

In the story in question, Lee Spievack, a hobby store owner, accidentally sliced off the tip of his finger, and had the misfortune of misplacing the severed piece. Under normal circumstances, he would have been resigned to a skin graft followed by a life with a compromised digit and some scar tissue, but these were not ordinary circumstances.

It turns out that his brother was Dr. Alan Spievack, a doctor and a pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine. He gave Lee some powdered ECM extract to put on his injury, and after about four weeks, the digit actually grew back, fingernail and all. It is instructive to note that the patient did not lose his entire finger, but just a piece of it.

What happened is the pig-derived ECM signaled the body to stop the immune response and instead begin the process of replacing the lost tissue, much like what occurs in a fetus, except that it happened in an adult body. What’s truly amazing is that doctors are able to replicate what happened on the man’s fingertip in the laboratory.

Using the fact that the cells necessary to regenerate already exist in our tissue, they just need to properly “encouraged” to begin the regenerative process, Dr. Anthony Atala and his laboratory at Wake Forest University are growing everything from muscle tissue to complete organs from a patient’s stem cells. Furthermore, using Dr. Atala’s technique, doctors in Philadelphia have actually succeeded in transplanting laboratory grown bladders that were created from the patients own cells.

The significance of these breakthroughs cannot be overstated. The ability to generate healthy organs outside the body gets around the current problem of long transplant waiting lists, and because the organs are derived from the patient’s own tissue, it eliminates the possibility of organ rejection, not to mention the need for complicated immunosuppressive regimens that have potentially dangerous side effects.

In lieu of all this, it may be fair to say that the field of medicine will never be the same, and supports the idea that stem cell technology will play a significant role in the cutting edge techniques that will improve the health and well-being of people the world over.

Permalink | 2 comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Stem cells

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Stem Cell Therapy to Treat HIV

Fred Lee — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:25:21 -0500

By Fred Lee

In a groundbreaking case involving stem cell therapy, a patient who was positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, showed signs of clearing the disease after receiving a bone marrow transplant (BMT) from a donor who was resistant to the virus. BMTs are a form of stem cell therapy that are used extensively in the field of cancer treatment.

The bone marrow is the soft tissue inside of our bones, and is responsible for up to 95% of blood formation. The cells that are made in the bone marrow are immature stem cells that will go on to develop into the various components of our blood, including white blood cells, which are important for immunity and for fighting infection (and include HIV’s target, T-cells); red blood cells, which deliver oxygen throughout the body; and platelets, which are necessary for clotting.

The patient in question was originally being treated for leukemia, a form of cancer that affects the blood. With leukemia, a person’s bone marrow has literally gone awry and is producing too many cells. A BMT is undertaken in order to replace the cancerous bone marrow with stem cells from a healthy donor that will then begin producing normal, healthy blood.

This particular case was complicated by the fact that the patient was also HIV-positive, and the idea to use bone marrow from an HIV-resistant donor was based on the mechanism of how the virus infects cells. HIV recognizes and targets a specific cell-type (T-cells, which are responsible for the body’s immune response) by way of certain receptors on the cell’s surface. These receptors, specifically CD4 and the co-receptor CCR5, are used by HIV to identify T-cells, enter them, and ultimately destroy them. The disease that ensues is acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS.

In a small segment of the population, however, (around 1%, primarily northern European), there is a mutation, or genetic alteration, in the protein structure of CCR5 that hinders and even blocks certain types of HIV from even getting in. By infusing bone marrow from a donor that carries this mutation, doctors were hoping that HIV-resistant stem cells would confer the same advantage to the patient receiving them.

And that appears to be exactly what happened. Two years after the HIV-resistant bone marrow was given, the doctors were unable to detect the virus in the patient, even after antiretroviral medications were discontinued.

While the results are extremely promising, it is important to clarify that even though the patient’s viral levels were undetectable, this does not necessarily mean that the disease has been completely cured, for HIV can escape detection while sequestering itself in other cells or tissue and re-enter the body at a later time. Furthermore, stem cell therapy has its own share of risks and difficulties, and should not be looked upon as a routine procedure for the treatment of HIV.

Nevertheless, it is still a significant milestone in the field of stem cell therapy, and is an important first step to maybe one day developing techniques to combat AIDS, and for that matter, many other diseases, as well.

This story was originally reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Surprise! More Embryonic Stem Cell Improvements

amybscher — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:04:27 -0500

By amybscher

As I approach the one-year mark of my return home from my first treatment in India, I am suddenly noticing more improvement – ironically, in areas I didn’t know I needed it. I jokingly refer to my stem cell therapy as the “gift that keeps on giving.” But really, it’s true.

Lately I have noticed memories, which seemed long gone from my brain, are flooding back to me. In the past two months, I have suddenly started remembering things that I haven’t thought of for years; a favorite quote, a memory of childhood, events that happened pre-illness or during, etc.

At first I thought it was a fluke, but as it continues to grab my attention, it has become very apparent that things are still changing in my brain. I knew healing had taken place because of my resolved balance issues, as well as the impressive changes in my brain scans (great scientific proof). But this is so new and exciting....and unexpected. In addition to my recent memory recollections, I have taken a renewed interest in reading; and I have just realized the reason. My reading comprehension has improved dramatically. I have had problems with reading comprehension since I was young and am very used to reading things several times in order for them to “sink in.” I am infamous for starting books and never finishing them. I can remember maybe finishing five books in my whole life. I used to write book reports for school from the back covers of the books. I’ve finished three books in the last two weeks; and I remember all of what I read.

These cognitive changes seemed to come on abruptly but I’m sure the changes in my brain from the stem cells have been “in the works” for quite some time. I love re-learning the lesson that just because you don’t see the manifestation of something, doesn’t mean it’s not happening (and that can go for any medical treatment). These changes have really made me re-examine the potential of hESC’s and the importance of the timeline of their growth in capacity. Patience is surely a virtue. It is amazing that it took a whole year for these changes to really take noticeable effect, but they are undoubtedly happening.

I continue to feel physically well despite having surgery yesterday to correct an issue associated with problematic menstrual cycles that make two weeks out of each month really painful and crappy for me. My confidence in my wellness has grown exponentially from even just months ago. It grows stronger every day. Any Lyme Disease patient (or physician) will tell you that any trauma to the body (surgery, or even something tiny like getting a cold, etc.) comes with the high risk of a relapse. Even Lyme patients who get well often live their lives like they are walking on a tight rope, trying every moment not to fall. But I have made a cognizant choice not to do that.

My surgery wasn’t an absolute emergency (yet), leaving some unhappy that I “took a chance.” But I have so moved beyond the fear, which is probably one of the most radical improvements to date. I deserve to feel great all month long. I don’t have to bargain for my health anymore. There is no safety or wellness trade off. I can have both.

Screw Lyme and all the fear that made my life so heavy on top of the actual physical illness. It was never welcome in the first place; and it certainly isn’t welcome now. I kissed it goodbye, good riddance and have already told it I’d never see it again. And a very strong voice inside me is telling me, I won’t.

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Another Lyme Disease Patient's Embryonic Stem Cell Experience

amybscher — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:00:00 -0500

By amybscher

After a recent discussion about stem cells and Lyme Disease on Lymenet.org, an online Lyme community, a fellow stem cell patient who underwent therapy in India chimed in to offer his experience for other people to read.

I am posting his experience here with permission. I have had many requests for other patient stories and I thank him for being willing to do this.

"This post is a bit late because I was traveling back from India when all the activity was occurring. It is also a bit long. I was the third lyme patient to receive HESCs. I received treatment in New Delhi in July and August of 2008 and January 2009. Although I was still gradually getting worse at the time that I went to New Delhi in July, I felt my lyme was fairly under control.

Background.

-My lyme story is like so many others: Many doctors, not diagnosed for about 8 years, and misdiagnosed…etc.

-Symptoms resemble MS—loss of balance, strength, coordination, endurance. Lot of muscle tightness and pain.

-On Antibiotics for about 4 years

-Babesia coinfection.

-Lesions on brain and spinal cord

That should provide enough of a picture.

Results of Treatment

The results have been life changing for me. Instead of existing, I’m living. I went on my first vacation in years. I can walk into the grocery store without worrying if I will make it back out without assistance. I walk my dog.

-Objective results:

-SPECT scans—originally showed 5 places where there were problems—1 is now gone and the other 4 show good improvements

-Blood results: Both white and red counts had been below normal for years—both are now in the normal range. I had macrocytic anemia for years —that was fixed also.

-CD57 increased by 60

Subjective results:

-Pain and tightness have improved 90%. I wake up in the morning mostly pain free.

-Balance has improved—I no longer have to hold on to something to walk. My feet do not cross over when I do walk. I have worked up to walking ¾ mile without any support or difficulty.

-Strength, Balance and Coordination have all greatly improved

-All has not come back yet. For example, the skin sensitivity on my legs have improved, but not all the way yet. Still have some bladder issues as well

-During my stay, I also saw other patients improve

Other

There seems to be a lot of misunderstandings about the HESC treatment in New Delhi. Dr. Shroff has treated over 600 patients since 2002—she has been at this for at least 6 years and NO negative side effects have been observed. Of course, this includes no tumor growths. She has treated all kinds of “incurable” conditions. Only one human embryo has been used. The stem cells from this one embryo could theoretically treat everyone in the world. It is also important to understand that no immunosuppressant drugs are needed. No animal “feeder” cells are used.

For me HESC has been a very effective treatment for the damage caused by lyme disease."

You can view the entire thread here: http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/76772

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Balancing Act: Living With an Invisible Illness

amybscher — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:08:54 -0500

By amybscher

I'm writing this partly for self-sanity, partly for all the other Lyme patients brave enough to embark on this journey of healing and up against one of the most difficult challenges in their lifetime: being misunderstood.

I hear this frustration over and over again from Lyme patients. I lived it.. And even though I am now well, it is really starting to get to me….again. Let me at least say that much. I know what you are going through. I get you.

There seems to be a great disconnect between the effect of positive thinking and the detriment it can bestow. I've noticed this most when I was in India, land of Eastern philosophy and psychology. Land of "it's all in your head." And for me, ultimately and thankfully, land of “getting my life back.”

For all of you too sick and tired and frustrated to explain yourselves, I've decided to do it for you...publicly. Point people to this post when you can't repeat it yourself anymore. Tell them Amy said so, and make them listen.

Positive thinking is one of the most empowering tools that one can have. All of you who have been suffering with Chronic Lyme and who have been searching for years for a cure, have it. Or you would not be searching. For those of you in India.....you undoubtedly have harnessed that power to a great extent. It made you get on a plane for 20 plus hours, armed with faith and the positive belief that this would work for you. That this would be the end for you of a life that some days is hardly worth living.

And now you are there, away from your beloved Lyme doctor, the one who "gets you" and amongst a different culture, which is telling you something totally different. It's a culture enveloped in the belief of karma, that the mind leads and the body follows (admittedly true to a point), that if you ignore the disease....it will go away.

I know what you are all thinking....what a nice fantasy land to live in. I thought the same. I had people tell me that if I only I didn't pay attention to my pain, it would go away. And all I could think was.....so I have been wasting my money and my organs all these years on treatment and medications and far fetched remedies? And all I had to do was stop paying attention to it?! Ahh…….all of this wonderful advice, from you guessed it, perfectly healthy people.

I want to spell this out for anyone who doesn’t understand. It seems even those who see it, still don’t get it sometimes.

The Centers for Disease Control admits that more than 200,000 people may acquire Lyme disease each year (a number greater than AIDS, West Nile Virus, and Avian Flu combined).

It literally invades the body, including the central nervous system (the brain).

It robs lives.

It takes families hostage.

Lyme doctors dedicate their lives to figuring out this disease and they still can’t cure it. It’s complicated beyond measure.

This disease comes with major psychiatric implications. Psychiatric is totally different than psychological. We are talking altered brain chemistry; not anything that a good attitude and a walk can cure.

The number one reason for death with Lyme Disease is suicide. Yes, that’s right.

Unless you have it, you can never ever begin to understand it fully. Not if you are a doctor, not if you are a loving family member. Anyone who tries to tell you they know better, is disrespecting (probably subconsciously, but even still) the courage it takes to live like you are living.

Just as positive thinking and Eastern philosophy can be empowering, it can also be a weapon. It can also symbolize blame and the “you’re not good enough” bullshi*t that so often comes with it all. So, I’m here to set the record straight.

If you are sick, it’s not your fault. If you are not getting better fast enough or in the right way for others, that’s their problem, not yours. If no one is listening to you, talk louder. Scream if you have to. IT IS YOUR BODY. You know this disease and you are the best adviser for your health. In the end, if you don’t listen to yourself, you will suffer, no one else. You definitely have to have a balance of letting go, and still doing what you have to do for you; but you can find that.

This disease is real and if people tell you that you look stunningly healthy but feel like you are dying inside, that’s not okay. I never looked “sick” a day of my illness, but believe me, I would have taken it in a second for having enough energy to get out of bed, or a few hours without excruciating pain or nauseating medicine. No one would dare tell a paraplegic that they weren’t paralyzed…that if they believed they could just jump out of their chair and walk, they could. So, why is it at all ok to tell a chronically ill person with an “invisible” disease that they can cure themselves if only they try harder?

I am the first to admit that there is so much to learn from other people, other schools of thoughts, etc. And I definitely admit that being a slave to your disease "feeds" it. I also believe there is an emotional component to physical illness.

However, I honestly am and have always been a borderline annoyingly optimistic person. And even that extreme didn’t cure me of Lyme. Trust me, I tried. I look back now and can only justify it by thinking “it wasn’t my time yet.” I still had more to learn before my wellness appeared.

In fact, I struggled so much with everyone telling me that if I was perfectly positive, I’d get better; that it actually made me worse. I cried endlessly wondering if it was my fault. Was I not positive enough? If it’s so easy to change, why am I not better? Do I not deserve wellness like the healthy people lecturing me and telling me it’s so easy? I had bacteria eating me alive. It was not listening to my positive thoughts. It listened to lots and lots of antibiotics only, and still didn’t listen like I would have liked.

It caused me the most unimaginable amount of stress to be bombarded by those who thought they knew better than me how I could fix myself, even if they were only trying to help. And stress induces illness by causing a weakened immune system -- my precise problem in the first place. What kind of help was that?

So for anyone who doesn’t understand, who doesn’t have this disease -- I am pleading. It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor, a scientist, a genius or G-d himself. These people are on a major healing journey and they are hurting and aching and fighting the whole way through. Think long and hard about how you want to be a part of that journey; one that could change a life forever for the better or for the worse.

Do you want to be a cheerleader on their path, or one of the people who dug holes and watched them struggle more than they had to?

And for those suffering....rock on. You are absolutely perfect just the way you are.

(For more information on Lyme Disease and to watch a short clip of the documentary "Under Our Skin," visit: http://www.underourskin.com/watch.html)

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I thought in this post, an excerpt from a post last January would be appropriate. It reminds me how very far I've come and how almost (but not quite) I can laugh about it all now:

I am immersed in eastern culture where it is believed karma plays a part in everything, the mind is undoubtedly the root of illness and if you want something bad enough, you can have it (or if you don't want something, you can wish it away). And to be fair, I believe it and embrace it to an extent beyond what I think so many would even consider. The connection between mind and the physical body are real. But, after six weeks in this spirited place, I will bluntly say…..it is not the dust, the food or the sight of poverty that eats away at me. It is getting used to a world in which I am the outsider and the majority seems to think they know what's best for me more than I do for myself. With the exception of a few beautiful souls here that have so graciously shared their own spiritual journey with me, and a couple of amazing doctors, it has been a struggle to stay grounded. It is in the unique melting pot of America that I never realized affords the absolute luxury of doing things any which way you like, if even it works only for you.

It's probably been the one thing I haven't coped with well at all in the whole course of this illness; the judgment of those that haven't walked or limped even an hour in my shoes. I'm sure they'd immediately want theirs back.

Ghandi said, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

To all the people in this lovely country who have well meaning ideas of how I could be doing a better job than I am struggling with a near impossible illness while still managing to live this incredibly fulfilled and happy life, I'd like to say: Leave my sore feet, painful joints and weaker-than-you'd-like muscles alone. I'm fine with it. My body is healing at its own pace; one I'm undeniably proud of. Now, can you please get the heck out of my way? I have places to go and you are totally raining on my parade.

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