COPD and Emphysema: Confused by pulmonary function test and more

Welcome @rudyhoskot1,

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@rudyhoskot1, could you share a few more details? May I ask what brings you to Connect?

Just joined to try and see if COPD/ Asthma, Emphysema can be helped by Stem Cell treatments . While medication has helped somewhat I am uncomfortable and short of breath most of the time.

Marc, I have asked that question at mayo Rochester... their repl was it is being worked on, not FDA approved so insurance won't cover..and is an expensive gamble.

I've heard both good results and bad, even the good results are not long lasting and most insurance don't cover at this time, as I suffer from end stage COPD and wish something would help reverse the damage

Hi @marczappa
It can be really difficult to tell which stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine practices are effective and which institutions are offering evidence-based proven therapies. In fact, recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a stern warning against unproven stem cell therapies. The FDA issued these two press statements: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573427.htm and https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573431.htm.

To help people learn more about the proven therapies and the promise of developing therapies, Mayo Clinic offers a free telephone consult service. When you call the consult service, they will tell you about the availability of approved stem cell therapy at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, and for what conditions. They can also tell you about research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Furthermore, you can add your name to a database to be notified when additional studies and information become available. You can learn more about the Consult Service here http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service.
Or call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts.

there is a vibrating vest that works well, and a vibrating hand held breathing device also not much for cure as of yet besides lung replacement.

marczappa curious to know if you ever found an answer to this question as I too just asked about stem cell treatments?

I am going to jump in here. At this time time there are no legitimate, effective FDA approved stem cell treatments. Unfortunately the private companies that offer stem cell treatments are not proven to be effective nor are they proven to be safe. There are lawsuits and the FDA is attempting to shut them down. Here are links to official statements on stem cell treatment by reliable trustworthy organizations...

American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/research/about-our-research/stem-cell-therapy.html
COPD Foudnation https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/COPD-Policy-Issues/COPD-Foundation-Position-on-Stem-Cell-Therapy.aspx
FDA https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm286155.htm
And an assembly of world wide organizations https://www.thoracic.org/members/assemblies/assemblies/rcmb/working-groups/stem-cell/resources/statement-on-unproven-stem-cell-interventions-for-lung-diseases.pdf

There is legitimate stem cell research being done so we might have an option in the future but unfortunately not today.

There is a new treatment. FDA approved, ZEPHYR VALVES... GOOGLE IT. The procedure places one way, exhale, in damaged lung making it resembling lung volume reduction surgery without surgical intervention. It will require about 5 days in the hospital.

@waterboy- Good morning- This has been on the market for about 8 months. I'm not sure how beneficial this has been or how many people it's been used on. It is for sever emphysema. There are a lot of contraindications but I couldn't find how well it is doing. Any idea what the cost has been?