I want to try the stem cell transplant.

Originally Posted by inmoni5

I have been researching ALL the treatments for ms. I am not happy with all the CRAB and Tysabri drug choices. It seems that they all have the potential to cause cancer as a small percentage rate. However small, I refuse to use any type of drug that could cause something that is worse than what I already have.

Since my diagnoses I have been on a steady decline in my health and stamina and muscle strength.

My main concern regarding the stem cell transplant is the chemotherepy part. That does scare me a bit. Mainly because I know a person gets very sick and I do have 3 young children in school. Which they do bring home illnesses...common cold, strep throat, flu, etc.

I am making contact with the Universities, clinics that do this procedure...hoping that I can be put on a waiting list or something of that sort.

Can anyone give me some advice on the chemotherepy part regarding this treatment?

I don't get it. The CRAB drugs have years and years of data on safety and you're keeping away for a small statistical risk of cancer? But then you're willing to travel to a foreign country have your immune system killed off by chemo and then built back up again?

Surely there’s more risk and a lower chance of it doing anything, compared to say, Copaxone, which has a pretty benign side-effect profile.

[izziebean]

Originally Posted by BigA

Surely there’s more risk and a lower chance of it doing anything, compared to say, Copaxone, which has a pretty benign side-effect profile.

For some people, the DMDs do not stop the attacks. I tried both Copaxone and Avonex. Neither worked for me.

Izzie:

Re-read inmoni5's Post. It seems his/her main complaint about the DMDs was the potential to cause cancer, not any lack of effectiveness.

I got the feeling that he/she had never tried them, but was willing to undergo stemcell transplantation.

Originally Posted by jbell2435

I was just wondering if it is covered by insurance? Also, what exactly is involved?

My dh and I were discussing this yesterday and I will ask my Mayo neuro next visit in May...

Just wanted to get a few details. Thanks.

Me, too! I would really like to know more about it as far as insurance is concerned (as well as details about the actual procedure; esp. like the idea you can use your own stem cells).