Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?

Posted by jlsoerens @jlsoerens, Jun 13, 2018

Does Mayo Clinic use stem cell therapy for neuropathic issues? Have any of you tried stem cell therapy?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@johnbishop

Hello @bchbych48, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would respond to you in this discussion (Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?) so that you can read the experiences shared by other members who have tried or looked into stem cell treatment for neuropathy. I referrenced this discussion in a reply to your first post but I'm not sure you saw it.

You mentioned having increasing burning pain and equilibrium problems and haven't had any help from the doctors or 6 different neurologists you've seen. @julkun, @jimbeams21524, @don261 and others have mentioned stem cell therapy wasn't helpful. I mentioned my thoughts on stem cell treatment in a post earlier in this discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/617347/

Neuropathy can definitely affect equilibrium and cause balance problems. I have balance issues too and have learned to do the senior shuffle quite well, especially during the winter months 🙂 The following article has some exercises to help with balance - Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercises-for-peripheral-neuropathy

Here's some information that might be helpful if you look into stem cell treatment -- The International Society for Stem Cell Research has created a take-along PDF handbook with information to help you and your family make informed decisions about stem cell treatments.
https://www.closerlookatstemcells.org/patient-resources/#handbook

Have you done any research on other complementary or integrative treatments like those listed on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy here? - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/complementary-therapies/

Jump to this post

John Bishop,
Thank You for your information! The reality seems that the stem cell idea is just that. . . an idea.
Can you comment on https://lasertechpainrelief.wordpress.com?
Also, there is a TV commercial with restorenervepain.com.  Please watch and comment on these two videos.  Thanks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paPIL7PxHUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY0qzEsJNPE

Thanks,C E Harris

-----Original Message-----

REPLY
@johnbishop

Hello @bchbych48, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would respond to you in this discussion (Does Stem Cell Therapy work for Neuropathy?) so that you can read the experiences shared by other members who have tried or looked into stem cell treatment for neuropathy. I referrenced this discussion in a reply to your first post but I'm not sure you saw it.

You mentioned having increasing burning pain and equilibrium problems and haven't had any help from the doctors or 6 different neurologists you've seen. @julkun, @jimbeams21524, @don261 and others have mentioned stem cell therapy wasn't helpful. I mentioned my thoughts on stem cell treatment in a post earlier in this discussion here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/617347/

Neuropathy can definitely affect equilibrium and cause balance problems. I have balance issues too and have learned to do the senior shuffle quite well, especially during the winter months 🙂 The following article has some exercises to help with balance - Exercises for Peripheral Neuropathy: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercises-for-peripheral-neuropathy

Here's some information that might be helpful if you look into stem cell treatment -- The International Society for Stem Cell Research has created a take-along PDF handbook with information to help you and your family make informed decisions about stem cell treatments.
https://www.closerlookatstemcells.org/patient-resources/#handbook

Have you done any research on other complementary or integrative treatments like those listed on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy here? - https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/complementary-therapies/

Jump to this post

John, that last article is especially great timing with my inaugural “Integrative Medicine” appointment I have next week. As I’ve been reading on the subject and different types of therapies, I’m curious if there have been folks on here who’ve had experience with hypnosis or hypnotherapy for neuropathy? I know I’ve read of @artscaping using meditation.

REPLY

I tried stem cell therapy. Don't waste your money. I may have had marginal success but not enough to justify the $12,000.

REPLY
@bchbych48

John Bishop,
Thank You for your information! The reality seems that the stem cell idea is just that. . . an idea.
Can you comment on https://lasertechpainrelief.wordpress.com?
Also, there is a TV commercial with restorenervepain.com.  Please watch and comment on these two videos.  Thanks!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paPIL7PxHUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY0qzEsJNPE

Thanks,C E Harris

-----Original Message-----

Jump to this post

Hi C E Harris, Back in August 2018 I was fortunate to attend a meeting at the Minnesota Neuropathy Association which has now gone by the wayside. They would bring in guest speakers and at this particular meeting they brought in William Hoffman (https://mbbnet.ahc.umn.edu/hoff/hoff_w.html) who has been doing research on stem cell therapy. I took notes for the meeting which included a lot of reference links and shared them earlier. Here's a link to the notes - https://cdn.prod-carehubs.net/n1/748e8fe697af5de8/uploads/2021/07/18Aug04-MNA-Mtg-Notes-1.pdf

I have no medical training or background but as far as Platelet-Rich Plasma injections which is what the videos are touting, the only area where I've read that they have been successful in treating neuropathy is when you have a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy. One in particular is a clinical trial with a small number of participants (60) done in 2017 -- Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Diabetic Neuropathy: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03250403.

I have idiopathic small fiber PN and was really hopeful for stem cell therapy but I am saddened by all of the ads I see for a cure when there is none but there is always hope. My own personal feeling about stem cell therapy for neuropathy is easily expressed by the line from the movie Forrest Gump - "Run Forrest RUN!"

REPLY
@dbeshears1

John, that last article is especially great timing with my inaugural “Integrative Medicine” appointment I have next week. As I’ve been reading on the subject and different types of therapies, I’m curious if there have been folks on here who’ve had experience with hypnosis or hypnotherapy for neuropathy? I know I’ve read of @artscaping using meditation.

Jump to this post

Good afternoon Debbie. This is @artscaping. Yes, I am quite dedicated to mindful meditation and practice it daily. It is not hypnosis by any stretch of the imagination. The point with mindfulness is to be aware of unmindful thoughts, especially about yourself. We practice changing our thinking,, and our brains, to have positive regard for ourselves and others, to be non-judgemental about our behavior and our voices as well as those of others. This reduces anxiety and negative thoughts.

MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) classes can be found free on line. You may also find experts in these teachings in your community. Along with Duloxitene (Cymbalta) to control the anxiety created by neuropathy pain......life becomes much more pleasant and enjoyable

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

REPLY

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned Mayo's consultation service yet.
About five years ago, I saw one of these slick videos for stem cell treatment for peripheral neuropathy with impressive testimonials. I signed up for their seminar, and then started doing some research. Eventually I came across the Regenerative Medicine Consult Service at the Mayo Clinic. It's a free service and very helpful. They explained that stem cell treatment for PN is not FDA regulated or approved, and there is NO evidence that it works. (It may be helpful for traumatic nerve injury, but not for degenerative nerve disorders like most of us have.) It's a "wild west" out there with all these private clinics offering expensive treatments. They said for anyone with questions about stem cell treatment, go to a teaching hospital, not a private clinic. You can call Mayo and make an appointment for a consultation at 844-276-2003. I'd highly recommend it. (This is not a paid advertisement!)

REPLY
@edva1943

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned Mayo's consultation service yet.
About five years ago, I saw one of these slick videos for stem cell treatment for peripheral neuropathy with impressive testimonials. I signed up for their seminar, and then started doing some research. Eventually I came across the Regenerative Medicine Consult Service at the Mayo Clinic. It's a free service and very helpful. They explained that stem cell treatment for PN is not FDA regulated or approved, and there is NO evidence that it works. (It may be helpful for traumatic nerve injury, but not for degenerative nerve disorders like most of us have.) It's a "wild west" out there with all these private clinics offering expensive treatments. They said for anyone with questions about stem cell treatment, go to a teaching hospital, not a private clinic. You can call Mayo and make an appointment for a consultation at 844-276-2003. I'd highly recommend it. (This is not a paid advertisement!)

Jump to this post

Thanks for the tip @edva1943. Here's the link to the page Regenerative Medicine Consult Service: https://regenerativemedicineblog.mayoclinic.org/2017/11/03/regenerative-medicine-consult-service-2/

REPLY
@dbeshears1

John, that last article is especially great timing with my inaugural “Integrative Medicine” appointment I have next week. As I’ve been reading on the subject and different types of therapies, I’m curious if there have been folks on here who’ve had experience with hypnosis or hypnotherapy for neuropathy? I know I’ve read of @artscaping using meditation.

Jump to this post

I was wondering if you participate in physical therapy? I find that exercise and physical therapy really helps relieve the pain and decreases the paresthesia. When I stop exercising I notice my symptoms get worse, also the weather is a major contributor to discomfort.

REPLY
@kimegraves

I was wondering if you participate in physical therapy? I find that exercise and physical therapy really helps relieve the pain and decreases the paresthesia. When I stop exercising I notice my symptoms get worse, also the weather is a major contributor to discomfort.

Jump to this post

Yes, I am going to PT and agree! I finally got my neuro to order it 6 months ago. It may not stop the interior nerve pain, but certainly helps build muscle and improve balance and stamina, and that does wonders for my optimism and self confidence! I am trying Integrative Medicine mostly for helping with vitamins and nutrition, as I am post cancer and have 2 other medical issues besides neuropathy, so I want guidance on balancing the needs of each condition in order to optimize my overall health. I like how Chris describes the help you can grt in positivity from meditation and yoga, as I know nothing at all about those types of therapies within Integrative Medicine.

REPLY

Does anyone have info on stem cell therapy for neuropathy? Does it work? Where is it available? Cost? Covered by insurance?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.