Re: Stormy's post.
Dr. Burt does not do stem cells for lymphoma. If you have lymphoma you will get the full bone marrow tranplant and the death rate is very high. Please dont confuse the issue.
Dr. burt has zero percent mortality for a long time now. Yes it's an intensive treatment. it has to be to eradicate disease from the body. No it's never called a 'cure". And many like yourself in the health care business brush it off as "experimental". He's been doing it for 20 years. As long as Big Pharm. controls the FDA stem cells will never be mainstream medicine because it will cut into profits. Dr. Burt is a pioneer who has fought obstruction through his career.
I think most drugs that are coming out are far more "experimental" then his transplant. Who knows what a lot of these biologics are going to cause their users down the road. We know many have died from taking them and the incidents of lymphoma are higher too.
I work in an area in the hospital where we actually have sent some patients to Dr. Burt. They would not have been aware of it if we didnt personally know and tell them. Of the 5 mysathenia gravis patients sent to him 4 have sustained a complete remission. My friends wife who was dying of scelroderma is still symptom free 3 years after the transplant. Find me a drug or treatment that can do this.
You are right about one thing. This is no easy treatment. It takes a lot out of you and the recovery takes time too. But if the disease impacts your life severely it's a great option.
Besides I like putting AS at the forefront of medicine not taking the leftovers from RA studies.
