My Stem Cell Transplant Blog

Dexky said:
Cool Patrick! How's the hair regrowing...going?:)
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It's going well. Still a bit thin, but my head isn't cold all the time anymore. I'll take a new picture hopefully in the next few days.

DustyKat said:
Sorry to hear the C Diff is still hanging on for dear life...:thumbdown:...but fab news about the labs! :thumleft:

Any thoughts yourself on what they may decide?

Dusty. xxx
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One of the nurses mentioned Vancomycin is an option I could try. Other than that or more Flagyl, I'm really not sure, though. 14 days is "usually" enough to clear our C diff, but I don't know how the new immune system would change that since it's a bacterial thing, and I have a new gut. That's too much for me to pretend I know about so I'll gladly defer to the experts on whatever they decide for this.

mnsun said:
See Here: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=swapping-germs

This may be an option, not only for C. Difficile possibly, if you find a receptive doctor, or can find a trial to get involved in...I don't know how one goes about enlisting, though. The article came out this week describing this slightly disturbing treatment...you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.

I've seen a few articles over the past few years concerning this, just google/startpage: fecal transplants, fecal bacteriotherapy or fecal flora reconstitution. Seems simple yet disgusting enough. Good luck, anyway.
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Thanks for bringing this up. I had read about it before but hadn't thought about it. I'll keep it in mind should it really drag on.


Mr. Ziggy said:
Good to hear Patrick!

Btw (I hope Burt doesn't read this lol) but i decided not to take any antibiotics when I was discharge from my transplant. I was supposed to take 3 different kinds for 6 months. Oops! lol



Edit: btw that is very dangerous, im not advising anyone do that. I knowingly took a risk there.
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Bad, Mr. Ziggy! It's actually probably not the worst tradeoff. I can only imagine having healed intestines AND good gut flora in a few more months.
 
I am glad you are feeling pretty good, even though that nasty C diff is still hanging around. Crossing my fingers it clears up soon!

Looking forward to seeing an updated photo with your new do!
 
Thanks, Jill.

I finished the course of Flagyl yesterday and we'll see how the next few days go. It could have been the Flagyl causing some of the symptoms, or any of the other handful of meds I'm on. I'll get another test for C diff done tomorrow and see how I feel. I figured it would be better to start the test sooner rather than later since Thanksgiving is this week.
 
Good to hear things are turning around Patrick, do the docs feel it was the Flagyl? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question but how long will you remain immunocompromised?
Myself and my family are following your story here in Ireland.
Take care
Gwen xxx
 
Awesome Effdee! You are approaching day +100. Said to be a general goal date, at which risk is a lot lower from now on. Not 100% obviously, it can take a year to get your secondary immune system back to 100%. Primary is probably good by now. No signs of HVGD, just like Burt said :) Really brilliant.
Way to go!
 
I wonder if there's a sub-forum for ingrown toenails?? :) I hope that's the worst thing you ever have to report from here on!!
 
Gwen pippy said:
Good to hear things are turning around Patrick, do the docs feel it was the Flagyl? I'm sorry if this is a stupid question but how long will you remain immunocompromised?
Myself and my family are following your story here in Ireland.
Take care
Gwen xxx
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That's the assumption, at this point. I'm still continuing to feel better so C diff is gone.

The simple answer is for as long as I'm on immunosuppressants (the anti-rejection meds). My immune system would be pretty good were I not on them, but it's necessary to eliminate as much of the risk of GvHD as possible. After 9-12 months post-transplant, I can come off of them. It'll still be a pretty new immune system at that point, but it won't be suppressed.

Dexky said:
I wonder if there's a sub-forum for ingrown toenails?? :) I hope that's the worst thing you ever have to report from here on!!
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It was pretty straightforward (dealing with it, not the nail), thankfully.

I think I'm almost ready to start going to the gym again. That should be a pretty good test of my immune system. Maybe they'll hire me since I'll actually clean the equipment.
 
Thanks, Patrick, for continuing to take the time to share your experiences!! Sending the best of wishes that all continues to go well for you!!!
 
Tesscorm said:
Thanks, Patrick, for continuing to take the time to share your experiences!! Sending the best of wishes that all continues to go well for you!!!
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+1

Thank for keeping us informed on the details. Even Im learning things. Making history as you go. I'm sure Burt will sort out the donor cell issue.
 
Thanks for the update Patrick. That sounds a little frightening but you and Dr. Burt don't sound too concerned so I suppose I shouldn't be! Hope the immune cells show up soon:)
 
Dr. Burt makes it hard to be too concerned. He wouldn't do anything he isn't comfortable with (the trial would get shut down if something went too badly - I'm not worth a risk like that!). I have no doubt that he knows what he's doing, and his tone didn't have an ounce of worry when he explained it to me on the phone, or ever, really. I know whatever he wants to do will give me the best chance.

As a guinea pig, you just have to be patient with so many uncertainties. They may have done the chimerism testing this early to try to learn more about the process. It might turn out, once it's all figured out, that it doesn't usually happen until 5 or 6 months. Testing earlier/more frequently helps to figure that out.
 
Not quite 100% gone yet. There's still some healing that needs to take place over the coming weeks and months. I do feel great, though.
 
effdee said:
Not quite 100% gone yet. There's still some healing that needs to take place over the coming weeks and months. I do feel great, though.
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If you don't mind my asking, what kind of crohns symptoms are you still having?

Also, on a slightly different matter, I have another question for you. Before the transplant were you having any extra intestinal manifestations from your crohn's? Like arthritis, or anything like that? If so, are those gone now?
 
raechel said:
If you don't mind my asking, what kind of crohns symptoms are you still having?

Also, on a slightly different matter, I have another question for you. Before the transplant were you having any extra intestinal manifestations from your crohn's? Like arthritis, or anything like that? If so, are those gone now?
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I go to the bathroom more frequently than I would consider normal/remission (once or twice a day, sometimes I'll go three or four). Occasionally a bit of looser stool, and reflux/burping when I eat. I can't tell for sure what's because of the meds and what's because healing needs to finish.

I would occasionally have joint pain (a few times a month) during really severe flares. Haven't had any joint pain since a few days after I stopped the Neupogen injections.


Day +106.

http://mypsct.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-106.html
 
I've been off Flagyl for a few weeks now. It's probably Acyclovir or Fluconazole that likes to be annoying.
 
I hope they get these nagging issues sorted Patrick. I know you're anxious to test drive your new immune system.
 
Dexky said:
I hope they get these nagging issues sorted Patrick. I know you're anxious to test drive your new immune system.
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Well I went into D.C. yesterday on the Metro so I think that was a pretty good test. It seems like a strange tradeoff, though. Take antibiotics and get C. diff but not other illnesses, or no antibiotics and you're taking your chances but C. diff is less likely.


Day +120.

http://mypsct.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-120.html
 
You've had crohns a long time Patrick, can you say for sure the stomach issues aren't crohns related? I hope it's the ab's!! I'm really pulling for you old boy! I hope you can enjoy the holidays!
 
I'm entirely certain it's not Crohn's, thankfully. It still feels like C. diff (or some sort of bug/bacteria), it's just not getting taken care of as easily this time.
 
Are you entirely certain because of blood markers or a recent colonoscopy? That's great if its not crohn's. Also, maybe since the chemo knocked your immune system...your body is just having some trouble fighting off stuff it normally would.
 
effdee said:
I'm entirely certain it's not Crohn's, thankfully. It still feels like C. diff (or some sort of bug/bacteria), it's just not getting taken care of as easily this time.
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I am sorry you aren't well, but I am glad you are confident it's not Crohn's related. I sure hope you can shake this infection soon! It's been too long.
 
Wow. What a journey you have been on Patrick. Thanks for the continual updates. I think it would be surprising if your tummy wasn't a bit upset by all those treatments!

That was a brave trip on the Metro - good work. It all sounds really promising.
Take it easy,
All the best.
 
Brian'sMom said:
Are you entirely certain because of blood markers or a recent colonoscopy? That's great if its not crohn's. Also, maybe since the chemo knocked your immune system...your body is just having some trouble fighting off stuff it normally would.
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Not because of those, but I'm still 99% sure it's C diff. That, and I'm under the impression that the stem cells would be healing any would-be Crohn's activity that would occur at this point.
 
Hi effdee, i have been following your blog.
My son is being evaluated for the stem cell transplant, nottingham, uk.
How are you now???
Best wishes, Donna.
 
That is so good to hear that the symptoms you are having may not even be crohn's related. Sorry it took me so long to get back on here and get your reply! I went to northwestern last week for an evaluation myself. Dr. Burt said I am a canidate! The next step is insurance approval, and then testing my siblings to see if either of the 2 of them could be a donor match. Do you have any siblings? If so were they tested?
Also, I just wanted to let you know again how thankful I am that you have written this blog. If you hadn't I may have never found out about the trial.:ybiggrin: Also thank kyou so much for being such an open book and so willing to discuss all the details of your journey!
 
effdee said:
Link to my blog: http://mypsct.blogspot.com/

I'm scheduled to be evaluated next week (3/7-3/9) for the transplant. I've tried and (eventually) failed Pentasa, Entocort, Sulfazine, Prednisone, Azathioprine, Remicade, Humira, Cimzia, LDN, some more of the milder 'maintenance' drugs I know I'm forgetting, and the SCD.

I'm currently on Cimzia, LDN (it's helping slightly, but not much), Amitriptyline, Aciphex (reflux), smoking (vaporizing) marijuana on and off, and sticking pretty closely to the SCD (still drinking milk). My symptoms have been up and down over the last few weeks, but I have no fewer than 8-10 bm's and up to 14 or so, usually with diarrhea and bleeding, lots of burping whenever I eat/drink or go to the bathroom, and moderate stomach pains.

I should find out whether or not I'm eligible by the 9th after I see Dr. Burt. I'll be sure to update this and, if I do the transplant, I'll make a blog (in some fashion) about it.
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i was diognosed with UC when i was 12yrs old,im now 28 yrs old and in the last two yrs ive been told its now devolped into crohns and i have not been able to get it under control since,trying every drug made avalible ive been told next step is surgery but never been told about STEM CELL treatment or LDN...what is these????
 
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Donnanne said:
Hi effdee, i have been following your blog.
My son is being evaluated for the stem cell transplant, nottingham, uk.
How are you now???
Best wishes, Donna.
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Best of luck to your son. I'm hanging in there. Can't complain too much.

raechel said:
That is so good to hear that the symptoms you are having may not even be crohn's related. Sorry it took me so long to get back on here and get your reply! I went to northwestern last week for an evaluation myself. Dr. Burt said I am a canidate! The next step is insurance approval, and then testing my siblings to see if either of the 2 of them could be a donor match. Do you have any siblings? If so were they tested?
Also, I just wanted to let you know again how thankful I am that you have written this blog. If you hadn't I may have never found out about the trial.:ybiggrin: Also thank kyou so much for being such an open book and so willing to discuss all the details of your journey!
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That's great, raechel! Glad to hear it. Hopefully your insurance doesn't take too long and approves it. I have a brother but he also has Crohn's so they didn't bother testing him. I'm happy to share all that I can. Mr. Ziggy started a great trend to follow, I think.

lollypop said:
i was diognosed with UC when i was 12yrs old,im now 28 yrs old and in the last two yrs ive been told its now devolped into crohns and i have not been able to get it under control since,trying every drug made avalible ive been told next step is surgery but never been told about STEM CELL treatment or LDN...what is these????
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My thread and blog here, as well as other links compiled by David here, http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=22259, should give you some good info about the stem cell transplant.

Check out the LDN section here http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32 for information about that. I know myself and others would be happy to answer questions you come up with if you can't find the information you need there.
 
Hang in there Patrick! As always, I appreciate your continued updates! I'm glad the nausea settled but do you think stopping the anti-biotics may have contributed to this cold. Maybe it was already lurking.
 
Patrick,
Have you ever taken zinc supplements? I think that helps with fighting off colds and or keeping them away altogether. Don't take it on an empty stomach though.
 
Dexky said:
Hang in there Patrick! As always, I appreciate your continued updates! I'm glad the nausea settled but do you think stopping the anti-biotics may have contributed to this cold. Maybe it was already lurking.
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It's my pleasure! I had the sore throat before stopping the antibiotics. They don't treat colds anyway so I doubt it had much influence.

Brian'sMom said:
Patrick,
Have you ever taken zinc supplements? I think that helps with fighting off colds and or keeping them away altogether. Don't take it on an empty stomach though.
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I haven't. I'll have to look into that. Fortunately I'm feeling a lot better already so hopefully it keeps clearing up. Not being on the immunosuppressants and being further along post-transplant seems to be making a big difference.
 
I am glad your labs look good, but I wish your symptoms matched the results. This cdiff is being so stubborn, isn't it?!
 
Geez Patrick! I'll be glad when your updates are all smiles and sunshine! I feel for you man! I guess after 10+ years of crohns, you can talk about all the nausea etc. just matter-of-fact like that but it's got to be getting old! I hope it's not much longer!
 
I'd prefer not to be dealing with things like that of course, but I have a hard time feeling that upset about it. It's a minor annoyance compared to the past. It would have been a blessing if a quick trip to the ER could have taken care of any of those previous issues.
 
Patrick,
This may seem stupid to even suggest, but once when my boys had a cold that produced a lot of mucus the GP nurse said that pineapple juice was a natural "mucus cutter". My kids and I don't really like straight pineapple juice, but you can get a blend mixed with orange juice. Also, my daughter used Mucinex once and it made her vomit. (She doesn't have crohn's, but that pill upset her stomach). Just fyi stuff
 
Brian'sMom said:
Patrick,
This may seem stupid to even suggest, but once when my boys had a cold that produced a lot of mucus the GP nurse said that pineapple juice was a natural "mucus cutter". My kids and I don't really like straight pineapple juice, but you can get a blend mixed with orange juice. Also, my daughter used Mucinex once and it made her vomit. (She doesn't have crohn's, but that pill upset her stomach). Just fyi stuff
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I'll probably give pineapple juice a shot. It can't hurt. I'm also considering getting a Neti Pot.

Dexky said:
When is the c-scope scheduled Patrick? Has it always been in the cards?
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February 16th. Yeah, they've always said it will be part of each followup.
 
Sounds good Patrick..minus the continued nausea issues. I'm looking forward to test results. Thanks for your continued updates:)
 
What a fab outcome! It may not be the perfect one but in my mind it's pretty damn close!

Fingers and everything else crossed that the Crohn's stays in hiding for a very looooooooong time...:goodluck:

All the very best!
Dusty. xxxxxxxx
 
Pat, if the donor cells had shown up, what would the likely prognosis have been? W/o them, your transplant is essentially the same as Ziggy's...right?? Either way, it is definitely worth it!! Happy trails Patrick:)!!
 
Thanks for such a detailed update. I can relate to so much of what you said about the difficulties of being sick, and am so excited for you to be able to experience a "normal" life again. Your story and your optimism are inspiring. :)
 
Dexky said:
Pat, if the donor cells had shown up, what would the likely prognosis have been? W/o them, your transplant is essentially the same as Ziggy's...right?? Either way, it is definitely worth it!! Happy trails Patrick:)!!
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Again, it's impossible to say for certain. It would have been much better, though. I think that's what Dr. Burt is counting on being the missing piece at keeping it from coming back for good (or the "c" word). Mine ends up being close to Mr. Ziggy's, but an improvement. The differences being the stem cells I got were from healthy donors, and umbilical cord blood stem cells are more potent than adult stem cells, compared to having the stem cells come from an unhealthy immune system. I'm expecting to fare better than the old autulogous transplants, but I can't say how much better.
 
Variables aside, it will make for fascinating reading to see how the two of you compare over the years. :)

Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for your time, honesty, selflessness and meticulous scribing! :

Dusty. :heart:
 
I've been thinking about you and then you posted! Spooky! :lol:

Thanks for update and so fab to hear all continues to go well! YAY! Sorry to hear about the ear and sinus infection though, booooo. I hope it clears up soon and you are on your winning way again!

:mademyday:
Dusty. xxx
 
Ugh, that sucks. I hope the antibiotics nip the infection in the bud quick smart! :goodluck:

Thinking of you, :)
Dusty. xxx
 
Hey Patrick, sorry I've been out of the loop for a while. I was curious though since you believe crohns will rear its ugly head again in the future, could you be eligible to do it all over again?
 
Dexky said:
Hey Patrick, sorry I've been out of the loop for a while. I was curious though since you believe crohns will rear its ugly head again in the future, could you be eligible to do it all over again?
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It's definitely a possibility. I'm assuming I'd just have to meet the same criteria as before.
 
Oh man, it's one thing after another. :( BUT I hope they stay as middling things and are easily treated. :)

So fab to hear that GI tract is behaving itself! YAY!

Take care, :heart:
Dusty. xxx
 
Well, I remember the implications Patrick but I'm so glad you're doing well. And the possibility of being able to do it again someday when they know more gives us all great hope. You are one of my many chronie heroes!!
 
Thanks for the update effdee! :)

It's fab to hear that you are still doing well...:hug:...hmmmm, the cord blood is certainly food for thought.

Onwards and Upwards!
Dusty. xxx
 
Thanks for the update, I'm glad you're doing great! Yay!

I'm sure you answered this already so my apologies for missing it, but can you explain what the purpose of the growth hormone is?
 
David said:
Thanks for the update, I'm glad you're doing great! Yay!

I'm sure you answered this already so my apologies for missing it, but can you explain what the purpose of the growth hormone is?
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Well in the purpose in checking post stem cell transplant, it's just a decent idea, just in case the chemo has altered your natural production. You naturally produce gh from your pituItary gland. So far no ones gh production has seen to be hindered by sct. Its more a general endocrine checkup. More so seen but still rare is a temporary testosterone problem post sct. Again checked in general endocrine tests.

Now as for use in crohns disease. A good doc I know named alfred slonim ran a trial years ago, and the conclusion was that growth hormone might be just as beneficial as remicade maybe in inducing remission. The problem was not that it did not work, more so there was not enough money to persue further trials needed, as gh can be very expensive. But now remicade is out and even more expensive, so how it all works knows. Same story with IVIG treatments which are probably even MORE efficient in inducing remission...but it cost $10k, and puts you in remission in 4 days!

I'm sure you heard about bodybuilders doing growth hormone too. These dosages are way above anything you would use on a theraputic level, and this yield new side effects to worry about. Smaller dosages are very safe

Sorry for babbling on ur thread
 
David said:
Thanks for the update, I'm glad you're doing great! Yay!

I'm sure you answered this already so my apologies for missing it, but can you explain what the purpose of the growth hormone is?
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In addition to what Mr. Ziggy said, due to active disease and long term prednisone use during my teenage years I wasn't growing much. Turned out I wasn't producing the GH levels of a typical growing teenager, so I supplemented it for 2 years (grew ~4.5 inches). This recent appointment was to make sure I wouldn't need more supplementation as an adult, at least as of now.
 
So fab to hear that all is going well effdee! Long may it continue! :):):)

:mademyday:

Dusty. xxx
 
Donated cells versus tailored cells

I must have missed something in this (admittedly large) thread...

Instead of the risking a need for lifelong immune suppression therapy, for those who are having (or can have) still extant wisdom teeth removed anyway, why aren't these stem cell trials being designed to take advantage of techniques (such as those pioneered by Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University) for making pluripotent master cells from wisdom tooth harvested progenitor cells?

- Michael

P.S. Yes, I read the statement "the theory being that the less the stem cells are influenced by someone's immune system who has Crohn's, or whatever their autoimmune disease, the lower the chance of relapse will be"

It's not a theory!!!

This use of the term "theory" hits a major raw nerve in my gut. No scientist would ever make such a statement. The scientific use of the term "theory" is diametrically opposed to it's ill-founded use by those who lack any need for a precise definition of the term. And the phrase "just a theory" is an especially painful oxymoron!.

Just as scientists have done for as long as the scientific method has existed, the US National Academy of Sciences defines theory as "a comprehensive explanation of some aspect of nature that is supported by a vast body of evidence. Many scientific theories are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them substantially. For example, no new evidence will demonstrate that the Earth does not orbit around the sun (heliocentric theory), or that living things are not made of cells (cell theory), that matter is not composed of atoms [although knowledge of what atoms are composed of continues to progress, as sub-sub-atomic-particle theory continues to be refined], or that the surface of the Earth is not divided into solid plates that have moved over geological timescales (the theory of plate tectonics)...One of the most useful properties of scientific theories is that they can be used to make predictions about natural events or phenomena that have not yet been observed."

For example, while the standard model of physics had been developed on a basis that there existed a field that had a constant strength everywhere, unlike the gravitational and electromagnetic fields, the consistency of this model required and predicted that for the model to be true, there had to be an undiscovered fundamental particle as the counterpart of this field. If this particle could be confirmed not to exist, it would disprove a theory based on some very complex mathematics. A great deal of evidence would be necessary, on the other hand, to prove the existence of the particle. In July of 2012, scientists at CERN announced that they now had evidence of having dislodged a particle with an energy level and other properties consistent with those that would be expected of it. And although they have not yet claimed to have found the Higgs Boson, what they have claimed is that they have found a particle that so far appears to be fully compatible with everything that theory had predicted of it.
 
Michael: I don't know why certain techniques are or aren't used for the different stem cell transplant trials. My guess is it comes down to money, lack of other resources, and the bureaucratic hoops you have to jump through to get an approved trial (if too much about the protocol is changed, I think a new trial would have to be started). For the time being, I guess they just want to get the current transplants through phase 3.

Apologies about my use of the word theory (and thanks for pointing it out). Hypothesis would have been the proper term.


Update: Day +365
http://mypsct.blogspot.com/2012/08/day-365.html
 
I'm glad I found this thread. My son just turned 12 and has been diagnosed with crohns within the past year. His main problem (although there are many more) is vomiting. Everytime I think he's doing better it starts up again. We are so frustrated and feel so hopeless/helpless. I had wondered about stem cell transplanting before so I'm glad I found this. Any additional information I can get from Mr Ziggy and others who have been through it would be appreciated. Also, how to find a dr who will listen to you and work with many avenues like stem cell transplant to help make someone better instead of telling the entire family there is no cure, he'll never be well... Someone please help me?!
 
Effdee..what an amazing journey you have had with sct!thank you so much for sharing the process. I had no idea this treatment even existed until I came to this site and read the blog by mr ziggy. It was a week or so before I was making a trip from ky to Chicago to see a doctor at uni of Chicago. I called dr Burt's office and they got me scheduled for preliminary Tests while there. As it turned out, I had to be admitted to northwestern with a big flare. So all the tests were done in house and I met with dr Burt. I have had several bowel resections and have failed all oral meds, remicade, and humira had lost its punch for me. After doing the mre and colonoscopy, dr Barrett and dr Barrett alkng with dr burt decided to start me on combo therapy of humira,methotrexate and prednisone. I am still registered with dr Burt and have to get past path and op reports from a few of my recent resections. So I'm up in the air about it right now. It's exciting though that this could be an option for me! I,too, was very impressed with both the gi and immunology teams. I felt they were exhaustively detailed in their assessment of me and included me in on all decisions pertaining to my crohns. It's a switch as recently here in ky,I have felt talked down to and not taken seriously at all.
I'm hopingthe combo therapy helps and dr Burt said methotrexate ups the efficacy of humira by 30% but to be honest, it's kicking my ass!the few days after doing the injections I'm completely wiped out and find it hard to do anything at all. I'm hoping my body acclimates tothe methotrexate as it has also caused flu like symptoms with a transient fever on the day of injection.
Won't it be fantastic if this treatment of sct takes away crohns?i feel truly it is the future for the goal of complete remission at the least and cure at the best!
I really appreciated dr Burt keeping me active in his patient list for the potential in the near future. I know it has grave risks.but I honestly wonder if its any worse than taking the meds most of us have to take?none of them are benign and have their own risks!
I am also reading your complete blog from the thread that you referenced.i know you did this obviously for yourself..sct that is..but sharing your experience so helps those of us who are looking at it!thank you thank you!!and may you stay healthy and strong!:hug:
 
Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad the blog has been helpful for you. Methotrexate was a pretty miserable experience for me. It did help with Humira, but the side effects might have made it so it wasn't any better overall. I'm hoping it works better for you, or you learn that it won't and can move forward in pursuit of a stem cell transplant. Definitely let us know how things progress for you. If you ever want to get in touch with me, feel free to shoot me a PM. Always happy to talk about it here, over email, Facebook, texting/phone, whatever. Take care!
 
Thanks for the update.

I wonder how fast it would have taken your new immune system to crush the sinus infection instead of using antibiotics? Is this part of the protocol to treat everything with pharmaceuticals as it happens for a while or is it just something you opted to do?
 
My guess would have been much longer than I would have liked. It was my first time being sick in a while, but the colds I did get took noticeably longer to go away than I was used to. Midterms were coming up so I much preferred to get it taken care of as quickly as possible so going to class and focusing on studying was easier. If I had nothing going on, I may have considered just riding it out. The transplant doesn't have any direct bearing on using antibiotics - I just see my doctor and get treated basically as usual. My word seems to be worth a bit more, though, once a doctor sees the discharge summary, especially if they aren't terribly familiar with the process.
 
Thanks for the update effdee! :):):)

It is so fab to read that all is going well. I am so happy for you and am hoping that the good times just keep going on and on and on!

:mademyday:
Dusty. xxx
 
Hi effdee!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. :)

So good to hear you feeling well and sending loads of luck and well wishes that the tests all come back NORMAL! Who ever thought that before Crohn's normal and boring would be such wonderful words! :lol:

I will be thinking of you and keeping my fingers, toes and everything crossed that the test results match with how you are feeling. :)

Good luck!!!

Dusty. :heart:
 
Hi Patrick, just checking in on you again. I am so glad things are going well for you. I hope things continue that way. Silly me! I just noticed today that your last name is my maiden name, except we use a capital M. I guess I read your updates, but didn't look at your last name on it.

Here is to a Happy new Year!
 
Patrick, I just read an article about bone marrow transplants replacing the immune system with a new one and curing crohns. Is this the same thing as stem cell transplant?
 
Patrick, I am so happy that things are going well for you.

Greta to read that you can put the scopes off for the foreseeable future! :thumleft:

JJOM
 

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