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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 308
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 308
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Thanks, Victor. I'm going to have someone I know see if she can pull those articles and get me access to them. I will also keep in mind that the most recent of those articles is 6 yrs old... Lots has happened in 6 yrs... just a point to keep in mind, right?
Koala - from what I have found out - and I'm just outlining it in roughest of forms:
The treatment itself involves 4 days in the hospital - receiving high doses of the chemo drug (cyclophosphamide). After the four days, you are released from the hospital - but must remain inside - you stay close to JH and return daily to have your blood tested. You will be on antibiotics and I think possibly anti-virals or some other meds. Your white blood count will drop to practically nil. Your red counts will also drop. Somewhere in here you start receiving another med to raise your counts back up. You are monitored daily by JH. You stay by JH for 21 days after tx before you can return home (presuming all goes well).
So, basically, they kill your old immune system (except for stem cells apparently). Then they believe it will re-boot - and MS activity will no longer continue.
I've read the blog of someone who had the tx in March. It doesn't sound fun - it's chemo! Your immunity is being killed off. I think that 12 months post tx, you receive your childhood vaccines again.
Obviously, that is a VERY pared down explanation of the tx.
Did you read the link I posted?
Also, you can check out: www.chrishasms.com - he had the tx - this is his blog.
~k
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