Our patient stories.

“Since the treatment I have no pain; I feel really healthy and now I workout 3 times per week and I`m in better shape than I have been in years.”

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis by my rheumatologist 3 years ago. He wanted me to start some very strong drugs but I didn`t want them because I saw the secondary effects that they had on some of my friends that also have RA. I started searching for alternative options and thank God I found the stem cell treatment. Before my treatment I couldn`t walk without any help, could not climb stairs and I spent all day lying in bed because I felt sick.

After my first day of treatment I slept well, and after the 3rd and last treatment I was walking without any pain or help, it was amazing! Since the treatment I have no pain; I feel really healthy and now I workout 3 times per week and I`m in better shape than I have been in years. The Stem Cell doctors were wonderful with me and I highly recommend this treatment to any one with RA. The cost is not expensive compared to all the money I spent in meds and doctors before I got the stem cell treatment, in fact I save a lot of money.

Pro/Am Dancer is “Dancing with the Stars” Again After Stem Cell Therapy in Panama

Corpus Christi, TX (PRWEB) February 01, 2012

From 2007-2009, Dr. Vaughan partnered with World Champion Tony Dovolani and competed extensively in the U.S., winning a National Reserve Pro/Am Rhythm title. Tony Dovolani is best known for his appearances on ABC’s hit reality series, “Dancing with the Stars”, and has teamed up with Chynna Phillips, Wendy Williams, Audrina Partridge, Kate Gosselin, Kathy Ireland, Susan Lucci, Jane Seymour and other celebrities on the show.

Dr. Vaughan and Mr. Stutts are slated to compete in the Heritage Classic Dancesport Championships in Asheville, North Carolina next month. This will be the first time Dr. Vaughan has been able to compete since 2010 when she sustained a dancing related knee injury.

Dr. Vaughan also suffered from chronic neck pain resulting from injuries sustained in a car crash twenty years ago. Her neck injury culminated in a natural fusion of the c5-c6 vertebrae, scoliosis and extreme pain when her neck slipped out of alignment.

In an attempt to repair her knee and get her dancing career back on track, Dr. Vaughan decided to undergo stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama. “I was basically removed from competitive dance work because I could not rise or squat without extreme pain. I had also resigned myself to enduring chronic neck pain from my past accident and painful hand joints due to generalized arthritis,” said Dr. Vaughan.

The fat tissue sample is collected via mini-liposuction, which is performed by a certified plastic surgeon under light, general anesthesia. Mesenchymal stem cells and T regulatory cells reside within this tissue.

Adipose-derived cells are then separated from the fat at Medistem Panama’s state-of-the-art laboratory at the prestigious City of Knowledge. This entire process is subjected to stringent quality control. Before they can be administered back into the patient, these adipose-derived stem cells are tested for quality, bacterial contamination (aerobic and anaerobic) and endotoxin.

All patients treated with adipose stem cells at the Stem Cell Institute wait about one week before the stem cells can be re-implanted to minimize the probability of the cells migrating back to the liposuction injury site. This essential procedural step separates treatment in Panama from “same-day” protocols offered elsewhere.

The adipose-derived stem cells are administered by a highly-qualified physician into the affected joint(s) (intra-articular injection) and intravenously (IV).

“It’s taken about 6 months but I am amazed at the results I’ve gotten with my knee. Even my neck is better. I used to spend almost $1,000 per month on a neuromuscular massage therapist but I haven’t needed any neuromuscular massages for the past 6 months. I wasn’t counting on that. Even my doctors say that the dense scar tissue in my neck has changed in texture from grizzly to smooth, supple tissue,” exclaimed Dr. Vaughan.

She continued, “I just danced 6 hours in Houston preparing for the upcoming competition in Asheville and my knee isn’t even sore.”

Dr. Vaughan is planning to return to Panama for a follow-up treatment this summer

Where do you live and when were you diagnosed with osteoarthritis

I live in Stamford, CT. My osteoarthritis was diagnosed in the last two years but I have had pain in the bursa – periformis and lower back, off and on for many years and tried many treatments.

How did your arthritis progress and what were your symptoms before coming to Panama for stem cell therapy?

I was told in May of 2009 – after x-rays, that I have severe arthritis in the right hip and bad arthritis in the left hip. However, by taking Advil I was able to play golf throughout the summer of 2009, but the pain became too intense in 2010 to play golf and do other tasks. Even putting on socks was a problem. I had to physically pull my leg up with my hands. I had pain in the bursa – periformis – gluteus maximus and other muscular areas which was about an 8 on a scale from 1-10. Some days were better than others and the weather was also a factor. It was especially difficult on stairs and inclines. In addition, there was sometimes lower back pain of differing intensities but not as bad as the pain in my hip region. I tried many therapies, injections, and topical medications, some of which had short term response and others that did nothing.

“I have seen very good improvement since my stem cell treatment and I continue to improve.”

How has your condition improved since undergoing stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis?

I have seen very good improvement since my stem cell treatment and I continue to improve. I can put my shoes and socks on with a minimum of discomfort. I can sit at the computer for long periods of time with no pain. Walking up the steps is much improved. I am beginning to use both feet to step up instead of using just one and dragging the other. My energy level is very good.

Has your doctor confirmed your improvements?

So far, Dr. Zabrecky (my doctor) is pleased with my progress. He has had to adjust my back and neck the last few weeks because I have had aching in my lower back and tightness in my neck and shoulders.I was very pleased with the staff and doctors at the clinic. I was treated very well by the staff with special commendation to Dr. Paz and Dr. Caballero.

What did you think about the clinic? The doctors? The Staff? Panama in general?

I was very pleased with the staff and doctors at the clinic.

It is intimidating to go to another country for a medical treatment. Since you ask these kinds of questions, I am sure you will continue formulating the best procedures to make the patients even more comfortable. I believe it takes a lot of belief in the doctor or friend who recommends using stems, in my case Dr. George Zabrecky, to believe that this treatment will work. I think that the more data and testimonials that you collect, the more confidence a patient will have.

As we have discussed before, there are many patients who do not speak Spanish and there are some instances where it is necessary to have a translator which will greatly ease the stress level of being in a foreign country. This is more than doubly stressful because it involves medical treatments. We enjoyed being in Panama and would gladly visit again.

Would you recommend this to other patients?

I would definitely recommend others for treatment.

Reactive arthritis

“I could tell you a long story because the experience of having a chronic illness is a tragic and distasteful novel. Almost 4 years ago I began to feel fatigue and pain in my peripheral joints, especially the big ones. The pain was migrating and intensifying every day. I tried many ways to cure myself: synthetic drugs, natural drugs, special diets…

Three or four months ago I received the stem cell treatment and the results have been positive. My pain hasn´t disappeared completely buy I feel that the improvements I felt initially is continuing to strengthen, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and today I can go out. Also I have the confidence that this is the ultimate solution to the pain in my joints.

“I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and today I can go out…”

The first weeks after the injections I felt that the strong pains were decreasing day by day and a month later I felt no more discomfort, the episodes have almost disappeared and I am working with the body feeling new, or at least 75%. I feel better, much better and I believe that if there exists a treatment that is cohesive and successful and still doesn´t harm your health, this is it.

I am deeply touched that new technologies can cure and alleviate the suffering of so many people and at the same time the researches that control the funds of investigation and treatments of these technologies, accountants, administrators and funding-related policy research and treatments, to make this treatment accessible the majority. I have no doubt that health should be a universal right.

If you don´t believe me, talk to be after you suffered through a similar illness. Thanks to all the restless minds that have contributed to these advances.”

A Different Approach

Sergeant Preston Walker
Courtesy Sergeant Preston Walker

After undergoing conventional therapy for MS for several years, Fort Worth police sergeant Preston Walker learned about a new therapy for autoimmune disorders. Researchers were utilizing adult stem cells derived from cord blood at The Institute of Cellular Medicine in Costa Rica. Walker inquired about the potential of using stem cells for multiple sclerosis.

“We knew that if the treatment worked, the potential benefits for multiple sclerosis patients could be limitless,” says Walker.

Dr. Neil Riordan, CEO of the Institute, suggested a therapy under consideration – using stem cells derived from a patient’s fat tissue. In May 2008, Walker flew to the clinic where doctors removed samples of his abdominal fat through a mini-liposuction, drawing out stem cells, which were later re-injected. According to Dr. Riordan, Walker and a colleague were the first to undergo this treatment protocol. “My quality of life has improved significantly,” Walker told the Post. “The problems with depression, fatigue, and balance have been corrected. I feel really good.”

In June 2009, Walker, who continues to take Avonex as a maintenance drug, plans a return trip to Costa Rica for a “tune-up,” as he puts it. “I’m curious to see if they can further improve my cognitive abilities.”

Fox 4 News: A Fort Worth police officer has returned from Central America after having a cutting edge medical procedure to help cure his multiple sclerosis. Last year we told you about Sergeant Preston Walker tonight Larry Barriger updates us on how he is feeling following his stem cell transplant.

Sergeant Preston Walker has always been active. With a demanding job at the Fort Worth Police Department, a wife, and young children, he doesn’t have time to slow down. But about 8 years ago he didn’t have a choice. MS started taking a toll making him limp when he walked, fatigue easily, even everyday conversation was a chore.

“I can sit here and talk but trying to come up with actual words to say and really construct a sentence that people would understand was sometimes very difficult.”

Medicine helped keep the disease in remission but Preston wanted more. A chance for a cure.

“I wasn’t prepared to just let it stay in remission without me trying to do something, especially if there is an option out there to address it.”

Sergeant Walker was initially planning to have his treatment done in China but he says the political situation seemed unstable, so he started looking online. He found another center that was doing adult stem cell treatment in Central America.

The procedure, a stem cell transplant was expensive but last October police officers from Fort Worth and Dallas teamed up to help raise money for the trip and the treatment. Last March Preston and fellow MS patient Richard Humphries flew to the Institute for Cellular Medicine, both underwent a stem cell transplant, a cutting edge medical procedure not approved in the US. Both took a risk on such a new treatment, both said they have seen marked improvement.

“I haven’t felt this good in 10 years. I don’t have any of the fatigue issues, all of the cognitive lack of clarity, that cloud has been lifted.”

Walker says doctors at the Institute will be keeping up with him and Richard over the coming months and years to determine how successful the treatment was. He is hoping his improvements last and that the research leads to a cure for his and other’s multiple sclerosis.

It seems like a pretty simple task for a police officer just sitting and working on a computer. Just a couple of years ago, multiple sclerosis made that almost impossible for Fortworth Police Officer Preston Walker. New at 6 CBS 11’s Joe Thomas says Walker credits friends for recovery some feel is a miracle.

A year ago Preston Walker did not think he’d still be in uniform. Walker found out he has multiple sclerosis. He suffered chronic fatigue and began losing use of his legs.

I felt like my cognition was really declining at a rapid pace. I really felt if I made it through the end of the year, last year, I probably wouldn’t be employed any longer because the cognition just wasn’t there.

His fellow police officers held a hockey-game fundraiser to help him afford a revolutionary treatment. Walker and another MS patient, Richard Humphreys, went to Costa Rica. For the first time ever, doctors took samples of their fat, drew stem cells from it, and reinjected it. Their symptoms nearly vanished.

I’ll suffer from any of those symptoms that we talked about, the depression, the fatigue, the little cognitive cloud. I mean it’ll still hit occasionally, but its no where near every day or every moment of every day like it was.

If we or somebody doesn’t become a guinea pig, then how can that benefit others?

They led the way to a treatment that is now helped ease the suffering of dozens of others. Joel Thomas, CBS 11 News.

“It was a great experience with a fantastic pay off. I highly recommend this program to anyone in need.”

Hi, my name is Mary and I am an adult stem cell recipient. I can honestly say, now, after the procedure, the program was well worth every penny, and more. The four week stay was well organized, structured, and preformed in a timely manor. It was a very intense program of stem cell therapy and physical therapy. But, I feel every minute of every intense workout was desperately needed if there was to be any improvement. The medical staff was very knowledgeable and professional. The hospital, equipment, and procedure were all very state of the art technology. Almost everyone spoke English, so there was never a communication problem. I felt very safe in the country and in the whole program. In my case, I can walk, talk, sleep without pills, and many more improvements. I definitely received for more than the 5% improvements I was expecting. I still have some problems but the improvements by far out weigh the problems. This was the greatest decision I have ever made. I have no regrets. No one ever told me stem cells were a “cure” and in some cases there has been very little to no improvement. But if I had not of taken the chance of maybe getting 5% improvement, I would not be experiencing all the blessings I have now. It was a great experience with a fantastic pay off. I highly recommend this program to anyone in need.

“I would recommend this treatment to anyone who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.”

“I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006. I was very scared when I found this out. My walking gradually became more impaired. I was dragging my left leg, and my balance was very bad. Some days I would be in a wheelchair. I have tried all the therapies including: Rebif, Tysabri and Avonex. Tysabri worked the best, but I was afraid of adverse side effects. I’ve heard many successful stories about stem cell treatment. I was recommended by the Physician I work for to contact the Stem Cell Institute. At first, I was leery about doing the treatment, but without many other options, I didn’t have a choice. I visited the Stem Cell Institute on May 31,2010. I was very impressed by the staffs’ caring attitude. Everybody was phenomenal. I completed the two week treatment including spinal injections and physical therapy. Although I first thought the treatment wasn’t effective, I am doing much better now. My balance is a lot better, and I am no longer dragging my leg. I have more energy and I am less fatigued at the end of the day. I am continuing to get better each day. Ultimately, I feel the treatment was a success, and I am very appreciative of the medical professionals who were involved in my treatment. I would recommend this treatment to anyone who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.”