Alternative Treatments: Stem Cell Treatments

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Stem Cell Treatments have been making headlines for years. From controversy to life saving treatment, they have certainly made waves. But how can stem cells be applied to Multiple Sclerosis?

What is a stem cell?

First, let’s investigate what exactly IS a stem cell. There are several things that define a stem cell. One is they are capable of developing into multiple different types of specialized cells. Which means they can become any type of cell in the body, also why doctors are so interested in them for treatments for illnesses and disorders. Another is they are able to divide to produce more stem cells.  And finally they are capable of creating functional tissue. Stem cells are always found in the body, from early embryonic stages, until adulthood. Depending on the type of stem cell, they can be found in various places in the body:
  • HSCs (haematopoietic stem cells) these are adult stem cells that are found in blood and bone marrow and are able to produce all the cells needed to create blood and the immune system.
  • MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) these are adult stem cells found in a few places in the body, fat tissue, skin and bone marrow. These cells produce other cells which help other stem cells work properly.
  • NSCs (neural stem cells) these are specialized stem cells that help repair myelin in the brain. These can also be created from other stem cells, particularly MSCs.
  • hESCs (human embryonic stem cells) these are cells derived from embryos. They can produce every other type of cell in the body. There is an issue with the therapeutic use of these however, they have been unfortunately found to cause tumors in some cases.
  • iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) these are cells that have been manipulated from other adult cells to create different types of cells. These also have the issue of causing tumors.
The stem cells that are most used for therapeutic use are HSCs and MSCs. (There have been some treatments that have been studied that use embryonic cells as well. Obviously there are ethical issues that go along with these types of cells and treatments.) Once the stem cells are removed, they are cultured and then applied to treatment. There are two main categories of treatment that stem cells may provide for multiple sclerosis. Anti-inflammatory therapy and remyelination.

Types of Stem Cell Treatments:

The anti-inflammatory therapy, aHSCT, can be described as “rebooting in the immune system”. It starts with harvesting your own stem cells from bone marrow, which is called mobilization. Then you will undergo high-dose chemo therapy which destroys your current immune system, this process is called immunoablation. Then the stem cells, which have already been cultured, are infused back into the body and a new immune system is born! Unfortunately it’s not that simple. Usually you will need to stay in the hospital for around 2 weeks to make sure you respond well to treatment. But assuming all goes well, you can expect to be functioning somewhat normally within 4-6 months after the treatment has concluded.
Currently there are many studies going on to assess the effectiveness of HSCT. In one such study, 24 patients were followed with the goal of having no disease activity for 3 years post treatment. In 69.6% of the patients studied, there was no new disease activity within those 3 years. Going even further, within 7.5 years, eight patients had shown enough improvement to stop receiving their disability payments and they returned to work. In 13 years post treatment, not one patient had a full relapse, and only one lesion was documented on an MRI scan. However, one patient did die during the treatment due to complications with the chemotherapy that was administered.
Remyelination is another type of stem cell treatment. This approach involves harvesting cells from various parts of your body, often from adipose (fat) tissue. You can also use previously harvested embryonic tissue. The cells are then grown in cultures to promote development of myelin forming cells. The cells are then directly injected into the nervous system to have best access to the brain.

Availability and Side effects:

Currently Stem Cell treatments are not FDA approved. There are several clinics in other countries that administer HSCT, but only a few clinics in the US offer it currently, and only for individuals who meet certain requirements. Usually this is a treatment for people who have had limited improvement with other “conventional” treatments and have significant impairment. However, one way to access stem cell treatments is through clinical trials. There are many going on currently and who are looking for participants. Check in with your doctor to see if this might be a good treatment for you.
This is a very invasive treatment, so there are serious side effects to consider. With HSCT, you will be essentially destroying your immune system, so the risk of infection is high. There is also a chance of having a negative reaction to the chemotherapy that is administered as well, which happened in the trial I referenced and resulted in patient death. This is one of those treatments that you have to weigh the risk to benefit ratio, and determine if it is a good choice for you.
Stem Cell Treatments appear to be very promising. Obviously they come with their risks, but doesn’t any treatment? Hopefully in the future more studies can be done to show their efficacy and it will become an FDA approved course of treatment. Until then, we can look to clinical studies to access this treatment if we choose to do so.
Have you looked into Stem Cell treatments? Have you done it yourself? Let me know!
 If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, consider joining the LissMS Community here—> bit.ly/LissMS
References:

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

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Recent News and Updates- April 2018 Edition

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This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

20 5
Open
This is how I slowly helped myself the most: Making small changes to my life, * Intentional awareness to my morning * Noticing when I’m being mean to myself * Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight.. Some “small” ideas for you too: * don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go * drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too) * get up and move every hour * say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean * step outside for a few minutes a few times a day Small changes add up to big steps forward, don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”, they absolutely are. Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies? I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!

This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..

Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day

Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.

Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?

I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!! ...

20 5

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

26 4
Open
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals. You just have to show up. You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡 *after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.

You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.

You just have to show up.

You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡

*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna. ...

26 4

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

13 0
Open
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year. It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title. Did you see?? Pre Orders are open! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.

Did you see??

Pre Orders are open!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here:

https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

13 0

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

31 3
Open
Struggling to start with exercise? Try this tip!! Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were. Because we’re trying to do something different after all. This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process. Become who you want to be in your mind first. Does this help? What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!

Struggling to start with exercise?

Try this tip!!

Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.

Because we’re trying to do something different after all.

This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.

Become who you want to be in your mind first.

Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!! ...

31 3

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

33 15
Open
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS. This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey. It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better. ““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive” So… drumroll please… Pre orders are officially open!! If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get: • Signed copy of Resilience Redefined • The MS Handbook E-book • Resilience Bookmark • LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders) Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/ Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!

It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.

This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.

““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”

So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!

If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)

Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/

Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

33 15

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!!

32 2
Open
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass! This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!! You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park! Share with anyone who also might like this!!

If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!

This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!

You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!

Share with anyone who also might like this!! ...

32 2

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!

22 0
Open
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments. But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too! This is rewiring your brain in action. You notice you’re doing something you always did, Then do something different. And boom! A new pathway is born. It needs some love and attention to grow, so keep practicing!

This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.

But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!

This is rewiring your brain in action.

You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.

And boom! A new pathway is born.

It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing! ...

22 0

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

38 2
Open
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should. Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too? I see you. Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!

This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.

Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?

I see you.

Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2! ...

38 2

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

16 1
Open
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!! Come on in… Let me show you around! This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends! Wanna join us? Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!

We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!

Come on in…

Let me show you around!

This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!

Wanna join us?

Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!! ...

16 1

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️

32 9
Open
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you. Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment. But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments. Just a reminder. Keep going. ❤️

There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.

Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.

But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.

Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️ ...

32 9

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately?

60 8
Open
Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶 Regulation is found in the micro moments. Which of these have you done lately?

Boating! I forgot to add boating to the list 🛶

Regulation is found in the micro moments.

Which of these have you done lately? ...

60 8

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