Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?

Hi @medieval, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuropahy/

If you click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, you can read through past posts. In this discussion you'll find a wealth of information about the latest research in stem cells therapy for neuropathy, the hope and risks of the hype.

You may also be interested in joining this discussion specific to chemo-related neuropathy in the Cancer: Managing Symptoms group
- Chemo-related Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/1st-time-at-mayo-for-neuropathy/

I strongly encourage you to read some the articles referenced in the stem cell therapy discussion to help you prepare for your appointment with your doctor and to know what questions to ask.

Hello @medieval, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @colleenyoung and other members. I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing neuropathy from your chemo treatments. There was an interesting article I read from Mayo Clinic from 2017 -- Strategy to prevent chemotherapy-induced neuropathy: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/neurology-neurosurgery/news/strategy-to-prevent-chemotherapy-induced-neuropathy/mac-20431145

Here is another one that you might find helpful -- Prevention and Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral
Neuropathy: Therapies Based on CIPN Mechanisms: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343206/

Lastly and probably most important if you have been thinking about stem cell treatment is an article from the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy --- Stem Cell Treatments: A real hope or false promise?: https://www.foundationforpn.org/2018/12/20/stem-cell-treatments-a-real-hope-or-false-promise/

Thank you for your input. I look forward to reading the articles you have suggested. This is the first time I have entered a discussion group like this and everyones positive welcome eliminates my reluctance to publicly explore the possibilities.

Thank you for directing my inquirery to the appropriate discussion group.

Hi there @medieval ,I started reading the posts on Connect in January, trying to find info for my wife, a PN sufferer. I spent 2 weeks just reading reading reading. After sort of "getting to know" people (many come and then disappear but several members post pretty consistently) I began posting myself, tentatively at first, but with more confidence after interacting for a while. I have learned a great deal. Also I have tried to help out others where I can (my strengths are more with trying to lend compassionate support since technically I am still a novice regarding neuropathy). I have made a few good friends here also. I hope you continue to find this forum a help to you and hope you will stay and contribute. Like anything, you get out what you put in, would be how I view it. Anyway, a very warm welcome to you and I hope your neuropathy does not continue to trouble you too much. Best, Hank

Can anyone report their experiences and results
with treating their neuropathy with stem cell therapy?

Hello @windsorchris. You will see that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on the topic of stem cell therapy/treatment for Neuropathy. I did this so you could more easily connect with other members as well as scroll back through posts that you may find helpful.

Current members who have mentioned stem cell therapy in other discussions are @pondoak @artscaping @texasflyboy and @johnbishop. They may be able to share information and/or experiences with you.

What type of Neuropathy do you have and for how long have you been living with it?

Hello @windsorchris, Back in 2018 I started looking for information about stem cell treatments for neuropathy after reading what I thought at the time was some promising information. I wish I could share some positive information with you but I just haven't heard any. Here's a post from earlier in this discussion with some notes I took at a 2018 Minnesota Neuropathy Association meeting on stem cell therapy and a few other links that you might find helpful.

I would also recommend reading the post by @colleenyoung that was posted earlier in this discussion here:
— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuropahy/

Here are a few other links posted earlier in the discussion listed here for your convenience.

Reference info: ‘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/

Have you looked into stem cell therapy?

I have diabetic neuropathy in both feet. Tried everything you tried. Recently had PRP injections to the feet. Stem cells using bone marrow then intravenous back in about 2014. Nothing has worked. If you want to talk, let me know Doc wants to try an implanted nerve stimulator. Not yet, I say!!!

Hello @julkun, Welcome to Connect. It looks like you were replying to the post by @ludite here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/205653/. I think the member may not be following Connect anymore as their last post was in 2019. Sorry to hear that nothing has worked to relieve your diabetic neuropathy symptoms in your feet.

There is another discussion you may want to read to learn what other members have shared about their neuropathy and what has helped them - Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Also, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has some Complementary + Integrative Therapies that you might find helpful here: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/

You mentioned you have been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy. Have you made any lifestyle changes related to diabetes to see if they help?