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  • Official Year 2 Update

    I just got back from my 2-year check-up in Houston. Before I detail the results of my autologous (own) stem cell transplant at year two, I want to remind folks: 1) the purpose of HALT-MS is to stop disease progression, not reverse damage, 2) my experience may not be representative of all study participants, 3) HALT-MS included two major components: stem cell transplant and immune system ablation, meaning that one aspect or both could be responsible for my gains, and 4) MS is a disease that is unpredictable, so my gains could also, in theory, just be natural remitting.

    Disease activity. My most recent MRI showed no new or enhancing lesions. I have had no relapses (after having several relapses in the nine months prior to the SCT). I continue to take no MS medication.

    Walking ability. At year two, for the official test I logged over 500 meters again. My walking speed, tested over 25 feet, is about the same as it has been. Around the house I often use a single cane or sometimes nothing. When I'm out of the house, I use two forearm crutches. At year one my max was 45 minutes nonstop; it is now 75 minutes nonstop. My longest hike was 1.5 miles; it is now 2 miles. I only use my walker after exercise (legs need to recover), in the middle of the night (safety), when cooking (hot kitchen) or doing chores that require toting something (e.g., laundry).

    Dexterity. I believe I improved in the "peg" test on my left hand, hitting around 28 seconds, but my right dipped a few seconds into the low 30s. Go figure, the reverse was true last year (and at the 6-month mark it was reversed again). My handwriting is getting better and my typing is much improved, probably at least 10-20 wpm.

    Cognitive. Tested with the PASAT (basically oral math), I improved again. For background, I missed six questions at month six three at the one year mark, and only one at year two. I think I got excited toward the end and pooched, like, the last number.

    Fatigue. Still zero.

    Balance. This continues to surprise me. I'm walking and doing things standing without aid far more frequently and confidently. I put away dishes without thinking of holding onto something, a big change. I can walk for short distances on my heels and toes, and even do a grapevine walk and lunges, all without aid. I've had no falls, either.

    Lower Body Strength. Solid and getting a little better. Nothing eye-opening at this stage.

    Upper Body Strength. Still improving slightly.

    Vision. 20/20 with glasses. Pretty much unchanged since month 6.

    Bladder. This seems to be improved, and have had no major accidents over the past year. It might just be that I avoid coffee if I plan to be out on the town. And as an aside, I have had less constipation. More fiber in my diet?

    Numbness. I've always failed that "is your toe up or down" test. Not this time—pegged it. The difference I feel isn't huge in my feet and legs, but it's there.

    Overall. The doc said he was going to bump up my score after my stellar testing, commenting that my gait was better. (I failed to ask him about my EDSS score, sorry.)

    My next battery of tests will be at the three year mark. I have one more round of immunizations. Currently I am on zero daily prescription medications. I take Viagra for complications from my low testosterone (I wanted to avoid hormone replacement therapy) and pop the occasional half Ambien for sleep. Vitamin D (4000 IUs) is the only supplement I take.

    So to sum up: There have been noticeable improvements, but they've happened so gradually that I haven't really realized all the gains until I just typed them here. I don't expect to see too much change over the coming year (with this treatment, gains usually peter out around this time), but I hope my body surprises me.

    As always I'll post more about further gains and any speed bumps. I go to Houston next month for a Month 25 MRI and will post any news from that when I hear the results.
    Dave Bexfield
    ActiveMSers

  • #2
    That is very good news Dave. Since you have striven to keep your muscles in as good a shape as possible through out the course of your MS, what you may be facing now is neuronal regeneration necessary to regain lost muscle control resulting from previous nerve death. This article seems to be a good summary plus a little new information of the effect of exercise on neurogenesis. Basically it says that exercise is the main component to stimulate the development of neuronal stem cells and to prompt those stem cells to go on to perform multiple tasks from memory enhancement to muscle control improvement. Obviously it becomes more complicated in the case of MS as the rate of MS progression would certainly have an impact. And of course there are a plethora of other unanswered questions but, at the same time, there is no indication that the neurogenesis process would stop. At any rate, although not MS specific, it seems to be quite an encouraging article. Be sure to read the whole thing.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/ma...1&ref=magazine

    As an aside, my own MS seems to be in long term remission except for the odd drug related exacerbation and, even at 60+ years of age, I also find a slow recovery from what I believe is the neural death caused by the more active phases of the disease. Although the recovery is not universal, as there are areas of moderate continued deterioration, it has been noticeably positive overall, albeit, quite slow. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the result of a physically active lifestyle.

    Indeed, "The human body is the only machine that improves with use".
    Last edited by AMFADVENTURES; 04-21-2012, 12:18 PM.

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