February 11, 2013 by

Allogeneic and autogolous stem cell therapy combined with physical rehabilitation: A case report on a chronically injured man with quadriplegia

Allogeneic and autogolous stem cell therapy combined with physical rehabilitation - A case report on a chronically injured man with quadriplegia

Daniel Leonard in Panama

This is a research paper written by Rebecca Johnston, Daniel Leonard’s sister. She recently graduated from a Physical Therapy degree program, and wrote her Capstone paper about Daniel’s stem cell therapy treatment in Panama.

Daniel is presented anonymously in the paper, but Rebecca and Daniel have given their permission for this paper to be shared. Daniel’s ASIA scores (pre and post treatment) are in the appendix of this paper.

 

Allogeneic and autogolous stem cell therapy combined with physical rehabilitation: A case report on a chronically injured man with quadriplegia

Abstract:

Background and Purpose: Stem cell therapy for SCI is a potentially promising treatment with increasing interest. This case report describes the use of a particular stem cell therapy protocol for a patient with chronic spinal cord injury, and describes his subsequent therapy and outcomes.

Case Description: The patient is a 29-year-old male who is chronically injured from a cervical spinal injury, resulting in quadriplegia. The patient was treated with a combined protocol of intrathecal (IT) and intravaneous (IV) allogeneic MSC and CD34+ cells and IT autologous BMMC at 6 ½ years post-injury. The results track the patient’s physical therapy progress until 6 months following stem cell treatment.

Outcomes: Recovery of strength in upper extremity and lower extremity muscle groups was noted, along with a functional increase in grip strength, ability to ambulate with assistance, and a significant decrease in daily medications.
Discussion: This case supports further investigation into treatment of chronically injured SCI patients with stem cell therapy followed by physical therapy.

Manuscript word count: 4321

A few highlights:

“After the patient underwent the stem cell treatment and returned to outpatient physical therapy in his hometown clinic in the United States, his MMT scores were tested over the period of 5 months post-stem cell treatment…. The patient did not decrease in strength in any of the muscles tested, and experienced improvements in 6/13 upper extremity muscle groups, and 8/9 lower extremity muscle groups.”

“The patient also had an increase in grip strength. His grip strength was measured by his occupational therapist to be 5 lbs on the right and 25 lbs on the left at one month before his stem cell treatment. Six months later, his grip strength was measured to be 22 lbs on the right and 36 lbs on the left. The patient reported that this increase in grip strength led to functional improvements, such as being able to self-catheterize, which he was completely unable to do since his injury.”

“The patient was also able to ambulate for the first time in 5 years at approximately 4 months after finishing his treatment. He was able to ambulate in partial weight bearing with the harness and max assist of two for 40 yards at .5 MPH.”

The original post on Daniel Leonard’s blog can be found here.

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, Bone Marrow, Cord Blood Stem Cells, News, Patient Stories, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cells Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
December 24, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Daniel Wiest

Filed Under: News, Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cell Therapy, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome: Susan Lucey

“First I must say I have been steadily getting better. Everyone notices it. My long distance friends have all commented on the vitality and clarity in my voice. So much is changing in my body for the better. I can’t thank the staff at the SCI enough for saving my life. And of course, my beloved Dr Cheney, who knew better than anyone how sick I was … I feel such gratitude.

I was slipping into dementia from severe and unremitting CFS. I was desperate for help and when Dr Cheney invited me to go there in May, in my heart I knew I was going to get my life back. I was so sick that almost any quality of life was gone for me and I either wanted to die or get better. I was at the end of my rope as I was in constant and unrelenting pain, slipping away with dementia and fully bed-bound and home bound for several years after being vibrantly alive, loving life as an artist and a professor at the University of Minnesota, mother, wife and lover of life.

“I’ve regained peristalsis after 13 yrs. No more falling! No more chest pain, no more visits to the ER! I wake up the each day full of energy, not crashed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart… “

Although I state very enthusiastically my improvements, I still have a way to go; but because the improvements have been so marked I feel like there has already been an amazing transformation. Here are some of the improvements:

  • Anyone who speaks to me on the phone comments on how well I sound. Lately, I have heard in my voice an “authority” and sense of articulation that I once had when I was a professor and artist. My brain is healing and I have energy everyday. I still must rest most days but I want to get up and begin to rebuild my life. Incipit Vita Nova- Here begins the new life! I feel inspired! Before stem cells, I spoke often in a whisper as my vocal cord were weak and I would quickly tire, slur my speech and need to stop talking as it would exhaust me. I easily crashed from less than 10 minutes of phone conversation.
  • Comments from friends regarding getting well- ”woo yaa! Susan, you are lucid!” “You are back!…”look at you, your cognitive function is so much better.” I hear these comments everyday.
  • I was able to titrate from 40 mg to 5 mg of Cortef shortly after my 2nd visit to Panama. Now I plan to titrate off Cortef completely. With that, the bloating and weight gain is finally coming off my body.
  • I’ve regained peristalsis after 13 yrs.
  • No more falling! My balance is good and am able to climb out of, for example, a bath tub – I’m getting stronger! Falling was a constant worry and I did eventually fall and break my back recently. That was the final straw and I developed PTSD. I feel less pain now in the area of the herniated discs and I wonder if the stem cells will repair such injuries . Falling was a constant worry for my husband, there was a sense that my feet were not connected to my brain. Now that worry is in the past.
  • No more chest pain, no more visits to the ER! (15 visits last year!)
  • Fat turning into muscle, I can now stand up from a sitting position without the help of my arms pressing me up. My family comments on my form transforming.
  • Overall, more resiliency, vitality and cognitive improvement.
  • I am able to organize. I’ve been able to declutter and organize much of the piles of paperwork and miscellanea that have been piling up for a decade. . CFS made organizing impossible for me. I’ve heard that this is not uncommon.
  • I now have the energy to stay focused for 2 – 4 hrs at a time sitting in a chair doing paperwork or some task ( I have not had the strength to sit in a chair for 5 – 6 yrs. I wake up the each day full of energy, not crashed. Although I do feel muscle and joint pain from moving and so still need pain meds. But the most important thing is I rarely crash. I can be modestly active every day.
  • Memory! Although not perfect (I believe in part due to morphine) I am so much better. I can remember combinations of numbers on the spot. I know what I did the day before, the week before and what is planned in the future. I can remember what I wanted to do from day to day.

I am able to feel inspired and that is carried through the day to the next and the next. No amount of occupational therapy with strategies to support my memory ever worked. It’s hard to explain how far gone I was. I was lost to myself and I think it was the most terribly painful part of my experience of CFS. Regaining myself did not begin until after I was home from the 2nd stem cell protocol. And I am certain I needed the 30 day MS Protocol. None of these brain problems improved the first time and I could feel I was on a slow and disappointing slide backwards.

I wanted to thank you for all you have done for the benefit of myself and my family. My daughter, who moved home to help me out, has tears well up in her eyes regularly when she sees me interact with her in ways I haven’t since she was 14. You have been a bright light in the dark and desperate days of severe CFS. Thank you from the bottom of my heart from me and from that of my beautiful family, Chris and Christina.”

– S.L.

Filed Under: Autoimmune Diseases, Chronic Fatique Syndrome, News, Patient Stories, Stem Cells, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Trish Stressman

Stem cell recipient Trish Stressman discusses her recovery from spinal cord injury after undergoing stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama. Ms. Stressman has regained control of her core and is now able to stand and walk with a walker.

I now have my abs, back, obliques, hip flexors, and glutes all contracting!

“My name is Trish Stressman. On May 26, 2007 I was in an ATV accident and suffered a burst fracture of my T-6 vertebrae, which left me with a bruised spinal cord. I was labeled a complete spinal cord injury with no movement or feeling below my T-6 injury line. Two years later I found out about Cell Medicine. I wish that I would have found out even earlier because it was great to have “hope” again. I went to Costa Rica for my stem cell treatment. The facilities there were great. They were very clean, professional, organized and modern. The Dr.’s at Cell Medicine and at the Cima Hospital were amazing. They always took lots of time with me and they truly cared about me and my recovery. I always felt safe and knew I could contact them at any time. The Physical Therapy there was also amazing. Within two months of getting the umbilical cord blood and my own bone marrow stem cells through intrathecal injections and IV’s I gained a lot. I now have my abs, back, obliques, hip flexors, and glutes all contracting! I am working now to bring them to full strength and they are almost there. I can stand for an hour now locking my own hips in place while not placing my hands on any support. My knees are not locking on their own yet but I hope to gain that back in the future.”

– Trish Stressman

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Juan Carlos Murillo

Juan Carlos Murillo is a commercial airline pilot who suffered spinal cord injuries in 4 separate areas of his spinal cord. Doctors told him that his injury was “complete” and that he would never walk again. After completing four rounds of stem cells at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, Juan Carlos is walking again, driving a car and has recently passed his commercial airline pilot physical examination. He expects to begin flying again for an airline within the next few months.

“The Stem Cell Institute states that stem cell therapy is not a miracle cure, but I think for us, the patients, our parents and all of our relatives, it is a miracle cure…”

UPDATE May 2011

Juan Carlos Murillo is a commercial airline pilot who suffered spinal cord injuries in 4 separate areas of his spinal cord. Doctors told him that his injury was “complete” and that he would never walk again. After completing four rounds of stem cells at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, Juan Carlos is walking again, driving a car and has recently passed his commercial airline pilot physical examination. He expects to begin flying again for an airline within the next few months.

“The Stem Cell Institute states that stem cell therapy is not a miracle cure, but I think for us, the patients, our parents and all of our relatives, it is a miracle cure…” – Juan Carlos Murillo

Before he received stem cells, from the waist down, Juan Carlos had no sensation, no movement and was suffering from significant neuropathic pain. He was classified a ASIA “A”. After his first course of stem cells in November 2008, his neuropathic pain was reduced on a scale of 1 to 10 from a 10 beforehand to a 3 afterwards.

His second course of stem cells in February 2009, Juan Carlos starting experiencing movement in his left leg and feeling in certain areas of his leg. He also started gaining muscle mass.
At the time of his third round in June 2009, Juan Carlo was driving an automatic car with his left leg and taking his first steps with a walker and crutches. He had about 80% sensitivity in his left leg.

Juan Carlos received his fourth round in November 2010. By that time, he had recovered his right leg and discontinued using crutches to walk. He was now able to walk with a cane and drive his manual transmission car. He now competes in 4×4 races.

He has now passed his commercial pilot physical. He has started flying again and expects to be employed once more as a commercial pilot within the next one or two months.

November 2010
I am a commercial pilot. On May 13th of 2008 was in a plane crash in the town of Cartago in Costa Rica. As a result of this accident I suffered a complete lesion at L1 and fracture of T12, L1 and L2. I had two surgeries in Costa Rica and one in Chile to stabilize my spine leaving me with 8 screws and 4 titanium rods from T11 to L3 and a titanium spacer for my L1 vertebrae. After this my condition did not improve. I had complete paralysis from the hips down, suffered from neuropathic pain, which on scale from 0 to 10, most commonly reached 10. After returning from my last surgery I was offered stem cell treatment with stem cells from umbilical cord which began in October 2008 with five intrathecal (lumbar puncture) injections. A few weeks after finishing this treatment my neuropathic pain become less common and mostly low-intensity. I also regained bladder control. I received a second treatment in February 2009 with 5 other applications. After this I began to notice changes in my legs with some muscle contractions and sensitivity in certain places. I continued my physical therapy and was able to have better contractions and started to regain strength and contractions in new places. I also regained my bowel function and sexual function. My last treatment was in June 2009 with five intrathecal and 2 intravenous injections of stem cells. After this treatment I could stand up and take a few steps on crutches because I had regained enough strength in my left leg and had already started to have movement in my right leg. As of this writing (October, 2010) I am able to walk without any aids or appliances. I have recovered almost 100% of my right leg and over 80% of my left leg. I have resumed my daily activities like driving and walking. I recently I passed my physical exam and now can fly again. In recent tests and pictures taken of my spinal column there is still a lesion at L1 but I continue walking. I am continuing to recover day by day while in the next few days I will go back for another treatment with the hope that I will be able to be as normal as possible.

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Dimitrija Krcoski

This is a spinal cord injury patient walking. He had a T8 injury and had been in a wheelchair for 10 years. This video was taken one month after receiving Adult Stem Cells. He received stem cells from umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord matrix.

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: CBS News – Gina McLoud

Working to Walk Again
Chris McKinnon – CBS News KRE TV

A year ago Brandy Moss was just like any 16 year old. Moss doesn’t remember the car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down, only what doctors told her at the hospital.

She explained, “I was going to pick my mom up from work and I went over a hill, the guy was on my side of the road and we just clashed.”

Moss does not like to look backwards so she continues to focus on what is ahead for her, “Even if it’s just little ways like helping me move
my fingers or something, even if it’s not walking, it would make life
so much easier.”

Her sights are now set on a stem-cell procedure, which is available in Panama.

Moss explained, “It’s my chance to walk.”

Gina McLoud, from Delta knows first hand how important this procedure can be. She’s had two stem cell procedures done, the first said, gave her results within a month. Once confined to her wheelchair, McLoud is now able to stand and walk but it hasn’t come easy.

She explained, “It’s not a miracle, it’s not a cure. You have to work
very hard.”

McLoud spends two to three hours a day in the gym, five days a week
making sure her muscles stay stimulated. As she continues to gain strength, she wants to dispel some of the myths about stem cell treatment, which she said has a stigma attached because of
misconceptions. For instance, her stem cell procedure uses adult stem cells and her own blood marrow.

Now McLoud serves as an inspiration for someone like Brandy Moss who hopes to one day walk again.

Since this stem cell treatment is not available in the United States, it’s extremely costly: about $30,000.

There is an auction to help raise money for Brandy Moss’s this Saturday, August 6th, at Zack’s Barbeque in Hotchkiss starting at 8am.

You can also make donation at the Delta County Federal Credit Union.

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Tim Bishop

After suffering a T-6 spinal cord injury, Tim Bishop underwent 2 rounds of clinical protocols at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama. Watch him demonstrate the remarkable gains he’s made thus far. He also discusses his transformation from the despair of being bedridden and just “arms and a head” to the hope of one day walking again. Stem cell therapy – “This is reality!”

Stem cell therapy – “This is reality!”

My name is Ernest (Tim) Bishop and I am a T-6 Level Paraplegic, on November 26th 2008, the day before Thanksgiving I was on my way home to help my wife and daughter finish making the pies for Thanksgiving Day and I had a car accident. I came home on February 24, 2009. Since then I have been researching stem cells and all other avenues I can in hopes of regaining the functions of an able bodied person. I found Costa Rica and a lady (Trish) who had already been to Costa Rica. She went to Costa Rica for one month. I went in March 2010. I am hoping to raise enough money to go get more stem cell therapy and bone marrow like Trish did. I have had some significant gains since I have had the stem cell shots. I have gained from my chest right below the breast bone to my pelvic area. I can now feel sensations and have gained muscles in my stomach and back. Before my first set of stem cells I had none of this…I just think of where I might be if I would of been able to stay for a month of treatments. I will know the full benefit of my stem cells up to six months after the treatment and that will be around September 2010. The therapy in other countries is also so much better than in the US. In the US therapy is all about teaching you how to live with the way that you are and about taking notes during what is supposed to be your time. In Costa Rica the therapy was about not settling for less and trying to get you to focus on and do things that you would never think was possible. All of the US doctors have said “you are paralyzed and you will never walk again, that’s just the way it is.” That does not give one hope at all. In Costa Rica I was treated with hope. They encouraged me to try to move my legs, to stand in walker and got me to do it. They got me to do things that I haven’t done since the accident. It felt so great just to stand…While I was there; there were three T-6 complete paraplegics. Two of them were walking with braces and the other one was me. The two that was walking with braces were on their second trip.

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Patient Testimonials, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Julio Esteban Molina

“Before the treatment I had a complete paraplegia and now I can move my lower extremities and I can walk short distances with braces; to me this is a great improvement!”

My name is Julio Esteban Molina, on October of 2007 I had an accident that caused me a spinal cord injury and left me in a wheel chair. In 2008 I found the Stem Cell Institute; they treated me with adult stem cells and gave me a new hope for my personal development. From the first day of the treatment the doctors and staff have always been high quality, plus a great sense of responsibility and especially humility. Before the treatment I had a complete paraplegia and now I can move my lower extremities and I can walk short distances with braces; to me this is a great improvement! I think Stem Cell Institute changed my life and it offers a new opportunity to people that suffered from Spinal Cord Injuries.

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Spinal Cord Injury Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
December 6, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: Jason Slawson

Jason Slawson is a spinal cord injury patient injured in 2009, with a complete section, T10 level of injury.

“If i keep my feet together i can travel about forty feet with the aid of my walker.”

“I’m doing pretty good. I can stand up with the assistance of a walker, but it is very difficult to step. I’m much better at stepping with my right foot than my left, as my left tends to drag every time. Also I never know how long my legs are going to sustain my body weight, but usually it is for about two to three minutes. If i keep my feet together i can travel about forty feet with the aid of my walker.”

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Spinal Cord Injury Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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