PATIENT EXPERIENCE – ATAXIA
George's Blog: http://www.georgearruda.blogspot.com/
NAME: George ArrudaGeorge Arruda
COUNTRY: Canada
AGE: 33
DIAGNOSIS: Sporadic Spinocerebellar Ataxia 3, Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) (May 2004)
REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT: George was diagnosed with SCA type 3 - Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) in January of 2002. His father and grandfather also had SCA3. He had a fairly fast progression since the onset of the disease. He had heard about Kim Poor having success with the treatment and decided he wanted to try the treatment as well.
TREATMENT: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell and Nerve Growth Factor Injections with Rehabilitation Therapy
START OF THE TREATMENT: January 1, 2007
BEFORE THE TREATMENT: He had severe loss of balance and coordination, double vision, dizziness, and choking problems. He felt pain and weakness in his legs as well as lack of feeling parts of in his legs. He had eye spasms.
AFTER THE TREATMENT: He regained feeling in his legs. He had less dizziness or “buzz” in his head. His balance and walking improved considerably. He could speak faster.
Jan 3rd (Before): Parallel Walking, Rollator Walking, Walking with Help, Throwing Ball
Jan 10th (One Injection): Parallel Walking 1, Parallel Walking 2, Arms Out Walking
Jan 19th (Three Injections): Walking
Jan 23rd: (Four Injections): Walking Slope
Jan 29th: (Five Injections): Walking Arms Out Narrow
Jan 30th: (Five Injections): Walking Stairs
Jan 31st: (Five Injections): Walking Arms Out Slope, Throwing Ball, Walking Narrow, Walking, Summary, About Staff and Hospital
Update (Feb 18 - from an Email):
George is doing well. The walker is gathering dust as it just sits unused since our return. George is feeling stronger, and has not been sick, despite the fact that I came down with a nasty two week long cold. He managed to avoid it. He is able to get up and get going earlier in the morning, and his speech has been clearer and people have commented on how much easier he is to understand. He is not choking on his meals as often. He is exercising a little bit, but we still need to figure out some kind of a routine. For now he is doing a little bit on the treadmill each day and walking short distances.
PATIENT INTERVIEW – ALS
NAME: Kelly Reynolds
COUNTRY: U.S.A.Kelly Reynolds
AGE: 39
DIAGNOSIS: Bulbar ALS – January, 2005
REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT: First symptoms started in June 2004. The disease progressively got worse until right before the treatment when he was confined to a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands.
TREATMENT: Umbilical Cord Stem Cell and Nerve Growth Factor Injections with Rehabilitation Therapy]
START OF TREATMENT: February 12,
2006 BEFORE THE TREATMENT: He could not get up out of his wheelchair without assistance and would otherwise risk losing his balance. He could only raise his hands to chest when laying on a bed. He had trouble swallowing. He could not move his facial muscles well or stick out his tongue. He was taking Baclofen, 10 mg, three times a day to prevent muscle spasticity. See Videos - Interview , Kelly Stands Up and Kelly Adjusts His Wheelchair
AFTER THE TREATMENT: He had increased mobility in his hands. He could get out of his wheelchair by himself. He could walk on his own. He had an easier time swallowing. He could move his facial muscles when having a shave. He could stick out his tongue. He could turn his hands out more and move them out to the sides more. He only needed to take Baclofen 10mg once every one or two days. OTHER NOTES: Kelly was on a high protein diet and taking a cocktail of medicines including the experimental drug IGF which he feels may have helped to make the stem cells more effective more quickly. When Kelly came for the treatment, he did not bring his IGF but was able to substitute HGH for it. HGH raises the level of IGF in the body. Soon after hearing that Kelly was taking HGH, the other ALS patients wanted it too.
