Kris's Non-scientific Definition of HSCT

Monday, April 6, 2015

Kris's Non-scientific Definition of HSCT

After reading article after article with the definitions of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) I was overwhelmed. So, here is my definition. My definition might change as I go through it in a couple weeks!

In MS, the immune system attacks the nervous system. It thinks that the nerves are a disease and that it is protecting you. No one knows what made the immune system think that it should attack it's own body.

Stem cells are removed from the body through a port in the jugular vein, or the bone marrow from the hip. I believe this just depends on the doctor doing the procedure. After the stem cells are harvested they are frozen.

The next step is Chemo. From all of the blogs and webpages that I have read, it is not a walk in the park. I will lose all of my hair and get sick. I guess that I will need to go shopping for some cute hats! The Chemo wipes the immune system clean. Like when your computer has a virus. The hard-drive is erased.

After the immune system is wiped out, the brand new, clean, stem cells that were taken out before the Chemo, are put back in the body. I compare this to getting new software on your computer. The new stem cells will help rebuild the immune system.

The hope is that the new immune system will not attack the nervous system again. The odds are very good that HSCT works. It has worked on many people!!

For a much better, very scientific explanation of HSCT, I encourage you to read George Goss's blog: http://themscure.blogspot.com/2010/06/stem-cell-transplantation-reference.html

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What is MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic degenerative disorder affecting the Central
Nervous System: the Brain and Spinal cord. MS is one of the leading causes of
neurological disabilities in young adults. MS affects both genders, more
commonly in women than men.

The Mayo Clinic lists four main patterns of Multiple Sclerosis:

Relapsing remitting: This type of MS is characterized by clearly defined flare-ups,
followed by periods of remission. The flare-ups typically appear suddenly, last a
few weeks or months, and then gradually disappear. Most people with MS have
this form at the time of diagnosis.

Primary Progressive: People with this less common form of MS experience a
gradual decline, without periods of remission. People with this form of MS are
usually older than 40 when symptoms begin.

Secondary Progressive: More than half the people with relapsing remitting MS
eventually enter a stage of continuous deterioration referred to as secondary
progressive MS. Sudden relapses may occur, superimposed upon the continuous
deterioration that characterizes this type of MS.

Progressive relapsing: This is primary progressive MS with the addition of
sudden episodes of new symptoms or worsened existing ones. This form is
relatively rare. (MayoClinic.com 1998, 2004).

The signs and symptoms of MS are fatigue, weakness, numbness, and difficulty
with coordination and loss of balance. A percentage of patients complained of
visual disturbances including blurry vision, patchy blindness and total blindness.

The disease process of MS involves the nerve cells called neurons. In Multiple
Sclerosis nerves are hardened in multiple locations of the body, the breakdown is
scattered irregularly throughout the body, decreasing aspect of functional abilities,
depending on which nerves are affected.

The cause of MS is unclear at this time. Presently research is done in the areas
of viral, immunology and genetic factors. Autoimmune response triggered by the
exposure to a virus or environmental trigger in genetically susceptible individuals.
The exposure to a virus causes reactions that form antibodies to fight the virus.
Antibodies attack the myelin instead of the virus- an autoimmune response.

There is no cure for MS. The medications given to the patient are for pain
management and relief of symptoms. Side effects of these medications are:
weakness, fatigue, grogginess, decrease in alertness, all these symptoms can
interfere with the performance of Activity of Daily Living (ADL).

Kristin's Trip To Israel - Stopping MS

Monday, April 6, 2015