Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?

Hello @jlsoerens -- Welcome to Connect. I have no medical training or background but I've not read any breaking news about the use of stem cell therapy for neuropathy. I did a search and could not find any posts related to anyone who has tried it. However I did find an interesting article on using stem cell therapy to treat arthritis.

Mayo Clinic finds surprising results on first-ever test of stem cell therapy to treat arthritis
-- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-finds-surprising-results-on-first-ever-test-of-stem-cell-therapy-to-treat-arthritis/

You might want to post your question in the following group where there are a lot of members with many different treatment experiences:
Groups > Neuropathy > Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-neuropathy-welcome-to-the-group/

@jlsoerens may I ask what your neuropathy diagnosis is? Are you able to share what type of treatments you have tried? I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy but only have numbness in both legs and feet. I do not have any sharp pains that go with it.

I also found a few other articles that may be helpful.

‘Amazing’ New Stem Cell Treatment for Neuropathy (July 2015)
-- https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2015/7/12/amazing-stem-cell-treatment-for-neuropathy

National Institutes of Health - Mesenchymal stem cells to treat diabetic neuropathy: a long and strenuous way from bench to the clinic
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4979500/

John

Hi John, Thanks for your prompt and helpful reply. My neuropathy is caused by an autoimmune issue that is attacking my myelin sheath....diagnosis of Anti-MAG (Antibodies to Myelin Associated Glycoproteins). It's a fairly rare diagnosis and I've had difficulty finding much helpful information on treatment. My symptoms are electrical current sensations in arms and legs, often to the point of numbness, loss of balance and muscle loss. I've had most success with adjusting lifestyle issues....cleaning up my diet, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, etc., along with supplementation. My Mayo doctors suggested trying an anti-depressant or anti-seizure drug, but so far, I've decided against that route. The last couple of months I've noticed an increase in the intensity of symptoms, so am interested in newer treatments other than drugs.

Hi @jlsoerens -- I do believe diet plays a big role in a lot of autoimmune health problems. I started my journey while researching my small fiber peripheral neuropathy and found a helpful book by Dr. Terry Wahls - The Wahls Protocol, that started me looking more at nutrition to help with some of my overall health problems. She does have an amazing story to tell - https://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/. I try to focus on eating more fruits and vegetables and a lot less meat - then mostly poultry.

John

Hi @jlsoerens
One of the focus areas on Mayo Clinic's Regenerative Medicine Program is in neuroregeneration. You can read more here: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/focus-areas/neuroregeneration Scroll down the page and you can read clinical research being done specifically for peripheral nerve regeneration and repair.

Unfortunately, because of the complexity of the brain and spinal cord, little spontaneous regeneration, repair or healing occurs. Therefore, brain damage, paralysis from spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve damage are often permanent and incapacitating.

To learn more, you may wish to contact Mayo Clinic’s Regenerative Medicine free Consult Service. If you call them, you will talk to a live person who will provide more information, research, and advice on seeking stem cell therapy from reputable providers, even if that provider is not Mayo Clinic. Their primary goal is to educate and help you find effective treatment. Furthermore, you can add your name to a database to be notified when additional studies and information become available. Here’s more information about the stem cell Consult Service http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service. Or simply call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts.

I also feel it important to add it is so important to do your homework and due diligence when researching new treatment options. Stem cells offer a lot of hope. But where these is hope, there is hype and charlatans.
– FDA acts to remove unproven, potentially harmful treatment used in ‘stem cell’ centers targeting vulnerable patients https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573427.htm

Hello @dsemloh, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As promising as stem cell research is for a lot of things, I don't believe there has been any successful treatments for neuropathy. There are also some warnings about all the stem cell clinics popping up.

Consumer Updates > FDA Warns About Stem Cell Therapies
— https://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm286155.htm

Does the pain make it harder for your wife to walk?

My wife of 42 years has neuropathy in her feet and it seems in just the past two years it’s getting harder for her to even walk. Can anyone tell me if stem cell therapy actually works before we waste thousands of dollars on something that lays claim with no results. We have tried everything and all the doctors want to do is give her pain killers. Thanks Dave

I have tried stem cell for neuropathy in my feet and legs I got shots in both legs and so far after five months it doesn’t look like it has worked.

Hi @dcl1128, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Are you able to share a little more about the stem cell treatments you received? Was it through a major health facility?

Yes, my wife neuropathy is from diabetes. Sometimes she can’t even walk across the living room. When she does find the strength to go and do something she will pay for it the next day. We would love to find her some solid pain relief.