Confused
 

My mom had a massive stroke 6 years ago. She is 63 now. As a result of the stroke she suffers mixed aphasia, which affected her speech and comprehension. I have been following this research for years now and I don't know what to believe

Did anybody tried this treatment for something similar to my mom's illnes?

On the other hand, I read that some people will go or went for "Another round" why another? one is not good enough?

I also read, that there are two options, one where the cells are injected directly into the brain, but is a lot more expensive. Did anybody did this? is worth to do the more expensive? I am really worried about making the right decision since we are going to sell an apartment to be able to do this, but if is worth it, I wont think twice

I will appreciate if people who says is a ripoff can explain exactly what the illness is, because it confuses other's. I read everywhere that the treatment is effective in SOME cases, not for all illnesses. So, to say that "it doesn't work", is a little vague

And whichone is better? Germany or Costa Rica?
Anything anybody can suggest about the treatment of patients like my mom is greatly appreciated

Thank you

Options
 

Hi Flor and welcome to NT!

I'm sorry about your Mom's stroke. She's lucky to have such a concerned person looking out for her.

I'm afraid I can't offer any insights into the treatment you're considering. I can, however, suggest a tried and true treatment you can get close to home.

My brain damage came in a car accident. However it left me with many of the same issue's as your mother: speech aphasia, confusion and memory problems. I have been doing Attention Processing Training (APT). Clinical study has found it useful for folks with mild to severe brain injury.

It will not bring the patient back to their premorbid state. However, what seems like modest progress can do a lot to improvement the patient's function and quality of life. The therapist recorded my speech on the first day and I can hear a big difference now. I've even regained the confidence to use the phone sometimes! People around me say I'm more "with it" and I feel that way.

Am I exactly like I was before the accident? No - but I am better. APT also has the advantage of being non-invasive and relatively inexpensive. You should be able to get it for less than $100 a session and most insurance companies will provide some coverage.

It's just another option to consider. I know how hard this is for you. Thanks for looking out for your Mom.

Cheers

Welcome to NeuroTalk Flor! :)

I'm sorry about your Mom's stroke and that she still suffers from the effects of it.

If you're referring to stem cell treatments, then I don't know that much about it. I have followed some conversations involving MS patients (like myself) who have tried the procedure. They generally go somewhere, like Costa Rica, and pay a lot of money to have something injected into their spine from what I recall.

In my opinion, this is experimental at best, deadly at worst. My MS neuro told me about a patient who returned from China and died after having it done.

They aren't regulated in those countries like we are here, so you really have no idea of what you're getting into, other than other patient accounts.

If it worked, we'd be doing it here, plain and simple. There are very likely trials going on here though, and maybe you could look into that? If your mom could take part in a trial, you might not have to sell your apartment for the treatment.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts, and I wish you the best with your mom's recovery.

You might want to look into the treatment Hockey mentioned as well.

Thank you. Everything helps. I wonder what will be the name in my country (Argentina) for that particular therapy...does anybody know? I will look into that. Thank you!

Hi! and thank you

Yes, I am referring to stem cell treatments. They generally go to Germany or Costa Rica, and that thing that they get injected into their spine are there own cells

It has been around for more than a decade now ( I have been following news for more than 6 years) I never heard of any death, not effect at most.
For what I know about China it was a scam, is was about a doctor that promised something that wasn't true.
The person who told you about that patient, do they know the real cause of death?

The reason as to why they are not regulated in many countries are to many, but just to name a few: politics, money, catholics (Vatican), ethical issues and more

It is true that you don't know for sure anything, but it is for sure that there are millions of cases of experimental treatments that saved lives and unfortunately I can't wait another 10 years, mom is now 63
I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for years and I can say that it is absolutely disgusting and sad. Life has no value if you don't make them any money. Is the worst industry that you can ever imagine

I wouldn't say "plain and simple". Unfortunately, he fact that a treatment is not done (or done) here it doesn't mean that is effective or not. Again, due to many issues (politics specially) americans loose to many opportunities. There are many many countries besides the US and many of those countries are much more advance in other areas, is just that, sometimes, we think we are the best at everything and that we are the only country in the planet

I don't want to gamble with my mom's health, if I know that there is any treatment that will help, I wouldn't hesitate.
My mom is not american, and in order to qualify for those treatments you have to be native

But I will look into that in her country, thank you!