I have been trying for a couple weeks to get approved for Dr. Burt's Mist stem cell treatment for my newly diagnosed MS.
I had several discussions today with the folks in charge of the study. The bottom line is that they told me to come get checked out, and then told me that they wouldn't take me for 6months. I must be on an interferon or copaxone for at least 6 months and get worse prior to qualifying. As I was wrongly diagnosed for the last almost 7 years, I haven't been on anything. It looks like interferons and copaxone are the only things that count, so I need to pick one and get over my fear of needles pretty quickly I guess. I am leaning towards avonex, as they all seem to have the same efficacy in the numbers, but this one only needs a once weekly injection. At least it would give me six months to get into some fundraising. Who knows, maybe it will work fine and I'll never get any worse. I am still really looking at this procedure, and hope it will get fast tracked between then and now. They did tell me that some of the insurance companies involved do cover a portion, but not all, of the costs. They wouldn't tell me if BCBS (mine) was one of them.
My problem is that I am both afraid of needles and a bit of a drinker. I hear further that avonex is tough on the liver.
Can I be a bit of a drinker and still take these? Which one would fit my criteria, or do I need to give the sauce? Aside from hunting, fishing, and yelling at a jury, it is what I enjoy. I am interested in any advice I can get.
Thanks,
Shucks
Thanks
shucks
I had several discussions today with the folks in charge of the study. The bottom line is that they told me to come get checked out, and then told me that they wouldn't take me for 6months. I must be on an interferon or copaxone for at least 6 months and get worse prior to qualifying. As I was wrongly diagnosed for the last almost 7 years, I haven't been on anything. It looks like interferons and copaxone are the only things that count, so I need to pick one and get over my fear of needles pretty quickly I guess. I am leaning towards avonex, as they all seem to have the same efficacy in the numbers, but this one only needs a once weekly injection. At least it would give me six months to get into some fundraising. Who knows, maybe it will work fine and I'll never get any worse. I am still really looking at this procedure, and hope it will get fast tracked between then and now. They did tell me that some of the insurance companies involved do cover a portion, but not all, of the costs. They wouldn't tell me if BCBS (mine) was one of them.
My problem is that I am both afraid of needles and a bit of a drinker. I hear further that avonex is tough on the liver.
Can I be a bit of a drinker and still take these? Which one would fit my criteria, or do I need to give the sauce? Aside from hunting, fishing, and yelling at a jury, it is what I enjoy. I am interested in any advice I can get.
Thanks,
Shucks
Thanks
shucks
Comment