“Edminton Protocols” anything new??? (Was stem cells…)
Good Morning Again,
There was a genuine cure for Type 1 folks, it is not Voodoo, nor pseudo science. Unfortunately it is still experimental in the truest sense of that word. The “cure” I believe is called the “Edmonton protocols” <sp.?
Now I know I’m going to mess up some of the details, and am depending on Steve, Joan, Kate, etc., etc., to help fix my errors or omissions.
The basic gist, some of our wonderful Canadian neighbors in a place called Edmonton apparently developed the transplant of cells which get injected into our Livers, which provided they take and that’s a very big IF… but apparently more and more do and are taking just fine. Our liver ( ? ) in effect apparently performs pancreatic functions? Or perhaps it is the pancreas which begins to function anew. (Help Joan : S)
Regardless, the type 1’s on whom its been used no longer inject insulin’s…. I believe it’s been successfully used on just shy of 20 folks last time I checked… who knows how many they’ve done now.
NOW <grim lipped look
Ok, so far, I’m going… ok bring it on… personally. Now the other little shoe dropping…. they can and have turned ON the bodies ability to produce insulin, only one severe problem there. They cannot control the proverbial “thermostat” which controls how much we get. Soooooooo, if I begin this magic therapy at say 35yo… my body now and forever more will apparently produce the amount of insulin a man of 35 requires, and uses. When I become 50… 65… 90… apparently they have not figured out how to “turn down the volume” of the insulin my body produces… supposedly it still is making like I’m 35, and not XYZ
Which one would think would be a little, tiny-weeny issue.
However once they can figure out those two tiny issues… heck I’ve already got the beard going ;
Anybody shed new light or clarify my egregious errors in information???
Jeff
March 1st, 2006 at 7:46 am
Hiya, Jeff!
The transplanted cells work fron the liver. However, the injection, I believe, is not DONE into the liver. The cells are infused through an IV. That’s pretty straighforward.
Now, as you have mentioned, the biggie is the life-long immunosuppressant drug therapy. Granted, I wouldn’t have to take a shot anymore, but I would also not be able to work in the hospital, hence, losing my income. Not willing to go that far yet.
There is information on the University of Wisconsin’s website …. it may take some time to find it, because I cannot remember the URL anymore. I spoke with a nurse there named Nancy who was the research nurse for the islet cell program. 3 years ago the cost was only ( [INLINE] ) $36.000.00 for the transplant and all that comes with it, except transportation. The transplant is limited to 3 injections, and, from what I gather, the first is usually all it takes. Anyway, if you want more info, just contact Nancy at the U of Wis. She is awesome.
BTW, the transplant is not yet covered by insurance. I am sure it has a lot to do with the potential for infection. Once infection were to set in, there could be sepsis, then septic shock, and that can lead to organ failure, which would put you pretty much back at square one, needing all kinds of transplants. Nasty cycle. and the insurance companies don’t like transplants to start with. They’re expensive. So. I do not mean to rain on anyone’s parade. As you said, Jeff, it is in the works. There are anti-rejection drugs being developed to make the body immunosupressed to only certain things, such as rejection. But, those take time to get approval.
Hopefully, there have been more than 20 success stories. I know there are some in the US, they are just listed per each research study individually, so it is hard to find how many exactly.
Thanks for the thread, Jeff!
Whatever thy hands find to do, do it with all thy might. Ecc. 9:10
Joan Geohegan