Has anyone used PRP or Stem Cell Therapy to fix cervical discs

Posted by jenapower @jenapower, Aug 25, 2017

I've explained on another thread that I have one Drs opinion that I should have my C4-7 fused because of degenerated discs. He then said he could do bi-level C4-5 & C5-6 disc replacement and only fuse C6-7. I'm waiting on my second opinion Dr to give me his thoughts. I've wanted to know if the PRP or Stem Cell Therapy could help with my issues and if anyone had this for cervical problems or knew anyone who had done this. It seems like they are using it for knees and hips, don't know about other parts. The one Dr that wants to do the surgery says it's not evolved enough for discs yet, years away. I'm going to ask my second opinion doc, but I'd love to hear if anyone's done it and their outcome first.
Thanks, Jennifer

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@jenapower

Thank you for sharing your experience Lynette. Can you or someone else explain what Regenex is exactly? Is it a type of product used in place of stem cells, I thought they harvested our own stem cells from our bone marrow. I know how they get the PRP, but I don't understand what exactly Regenex is.

I certainly like the Mayo's pricing better than this place I've been talking to in California. I wonder if the cost of a knee would be drastically different from the cervical spine?
Thank you again, Jennifer

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Regenexx talks about outfits trying to sell stem cells and when checked, they find the cells are dead.

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@jenapower

Thank you for sharing your experience Lynette. Can you or someone else explain what Regenex is exactly? Is it a type of product used in place of stem cells, I thought they harvested our own stem cells from our bone marrow. I know how they get the PRP, but I don't understand what exactly Regenex is.

I certainly like the Mayo's pricing better than this place I've been talking to in California. I wonder if the cost of a knee would be drastically different from the cervical spine?
Thank you again, Jennifer

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When my blood is drawn, I am told stuff is added to it and it is treated. Really above my pay grade. All I know is it works especially on the back.

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@jenapower

Thank you for sharing your experience Lynette. Can you or someone else explain what Regenex is exactly? Is it a type of product used in place of stem cells, I thought they harvested our own stem cells from our bone marrow. I know how they get the PRP, but I don't understand what exactly Regenex is.

I certainly like the Mayo's pricing better than this place I've been talking to in California. I wonder if the cost of a knee would be drastically different from the cervical spine?
Thank you again, Jennifer

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Gail,
I just got back from seeing my ongoing pain management doctor that had done a cervical epidural a few weeks ago. It's called Orange County Pain Management, they are in Hoag hospital's Neurosciences building. These docs are the top docs in Orange County.

The epidural I had worked for a few weeks and then started to wear off. I have a lot of side effects of Cortisone, which I don't want to continue. I then asked them about the stem cell therapy for my cervical area. They told me the same thing you were told, they use donated cord blood/placental blood from c-section deliveries. They are non-differentiated cells, not dangerous, not embryonic, and you don't have to go through the bone marrow procedure. Also use PRP. I asked them if I could use the stem cell for the cervical area that I am dealing with, and they said yes they been doing it with success, although she couldn't give me a percentage of the chance it would repair things. So it looks like I'm going to try this in a couple of weeks. This is a doctors group I totally trust and the best part, the treatment is $2800 +500 co-pay for the surgery center. I figure if I'm looking towards surgery as the last alternative, I might as well try this first. If you're in Orange County Ca, this may be a good place to also get an opinion from. Can't say the doctor is Mr. personable, but extremely competent, very quiet. Love his staff, his PA and nurse practitioner. I will post the results once I know them. They did say it takes a few weeks before you start to feel the effects, it's not usually instant.

Everybody say some prayers it works for me. Jennifer

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@jenapower

Thank you, that is great real life experience. Exactly what I wanted to know. Super surprised if yours was $1000 and they're quoting me $10,000. Boy they'll get what they can take, won't they!

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I did find out more about stem cell therapy from the Mayo Regenerative group. They are still researching the stem cell therapy and are very open in talking about it. They use your own stem cells when they work on you. It costs approximately $8,000 for spinal stem cells. They do an extensive evaluation to see if you are a candidate that this will work for. Then you have a 90% chance of success. Success may mean only that your pain is relieved, which is huge. But your disks may not be repaired.

The other stem cell therapy I researched involved umbilical cord or placental stem cells for repair. Because the stem cells are from babies, they are still very active. The procedure for spine stem cells involves a neurosurgeon who does the injection, and it costs about $11,000. I was somewhat skeptical of the group here that talked about it with me. Also, no insurance covers stem cell therapy since it's still in the experimental stage and there are no guarantees that it will work. I decided that I am quite happy with my ART therapy, which is working remarkably well. I hope this is helpful. If you want more information, I recommend that you call the Mayo Regenerative group.
Thanks, Gail B Ledesma

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We just went to a seminar and were told they would use amniotic stem cells gained from placenta from a c-section procedure. We were told there were live stem cells, no DNA involved, also that they can be administered intravenously if you have fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. It sounds like everyone on this post has had their own stem cells injected back into them. If anyone has the amniotic stem cells injected we would love to know the outcome, price and where you had it done. We were told the stem cells were FDA approved, interesting, we have so much research to do. $6000 per joint.

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@rjsprouse17

We just went to a seminar and were told they would use amniotic stem cells gained from placenta from a c-section procedure. We were told there were live stem cells, no DNA involved, also that they can be administered intravenously if you have fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. It sounds like everyone on this post has had their own stem cells injected back into them. If anyone has the amniotic stem cells injected we would love to know the outcome, price and where you had it done. We were told the stem cells were FDA approved, interesting, we have so much research to do. $6000 per joint.

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My knee was $7000 and my back was $ 1,000. Would do it again. I think of the cost for my tkr which was around $60,000 including everything. Miserable experience. Glad i had options. I would be careful with the amniotic cells. Ask questions.

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Where is this going on? Who will do it? Need help Now - can't walk -bad knee. Marian

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@jenapower

Justin, I just watched the webinar that two of your mayo regenerative medicine doctors gave considering osteoarthritis mostly hips and knees. It is extremely informative and I thank you for posting that. I intend on calling to find out if they are doing research on the cervical spine, or just treating the cervical spine. I have found places in Los Angeles that are doing it, some more expensive than others but I don't know whether they're reputable or not. I have no idea how to even find that out. Any suggestions on how to check out a doctor or clinic? Jennifer

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What places in L A, I'm here in Redondo Bch. so can go to those Drs. Marian

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I had mine done in toledo. My question to you is, are you,bone on bone in the knee? Have you had an mri done? I know there are stem cell Drs popping up everywhere. I used regenexx website who lists their locations. I mention them because of the training they provide for their doctors. I am sure there are many. Do your homework.

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@mari

Where is this going on? Who will do it? Need help Now - can't walk -bad knee. Marian

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I used dr Kruse in toledo ohio for my knee and his assistant for my back. Have many friends who have used him for knees, hip and back. Some have had no luck. Many are happy with it. It’s my experience is if you have no cartiledge, TKR is the option to consider.

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