A few years ago I tore a disc in my back. Typically, these things self-correct and heal over time. In typical Erin fashion, mine did not. Instead of healing, it continued to get worse. I tried Epidural Steroid Injections, Disc Decompression, yoga, massage, physical therapy, and good old-fashioned narcotics. Nothing worked. Apparently, my tendency to be a pain in the arse goes all the way down to a cellular level. I am a freakshow.
Fortunately, I live in Colorado, and was lucky enough to become a patient at Steadman Hawkins in Vail. (Remember the infamous Kobe Bryant case? Same office.) My doctor, David Karli, was able to get me on a consistent pain management program while we waited to see if my disc would seal itself back up and stop hurting me for a while. Of course, it did not. The pain continued as my doctors (yup, plural), my physical therapist, my family, and I all continued to get more and more frustrated with the situation. With the frustration came the depression, temper tantrums, weight gain, exhaustion, and a big giant strain on my life in general.
Dr. Karli recommended a trial he had worked on, using adult stem cells to regenerate disc tissue. The Regenexx procedure has been used to successfully restore knee, elbow, hip, and other joint tissues. You can check out Dr. Centeno’s site for more info, but basically, it is a non-surgical method of treating soft tissue problems. Being in my 20′s, not having had children yet, Dr. Karli and I both agreed that surgery was not yet an option for me, if ever. I did not want rods, pins, fusions, or anything of the like in my spine. I want to live an active adult life, not be in a wheelchair before I’m eligible for AARP.
Anyways, Dr. Karli recommended I speak with his colleague Dr. Centeno to see if I was eligible for the procedure. Luckily, I was. Dr. Centeno explained that they would take samples of my own bone marrow (very important -they are using my own stem cells, this is much safer for me long-term, and much less controversial) to get a sample of stem cells. They give the stem cells a few weeks to cultivate, and then the most viable cells are injected into my disc, to teach it to re-grow where it has been damaged. The results are very promising, and the risk very low. Unfortunately, the procedure is not yet FDA approved, so everything has to be paid out of pocket. Its not cheap, but no more than I paid out of pocket over the past few years for the other various procedures we tried. Unfortunately, my health insurance (United) sucks, and has not been very helpful through this whole fiasco.
I was very nervous about working with anyone outside of Steadman Hawkins, because they’d given me such amazing care, while some others I’d worked with had not. Dr. Karli assured me that he’d be available for consultation, and would even come down for my appointments if I’d like. He and members of his staff, especially Robin Fuessenich, have gone way above and beyond -I will be forever greatful! Luckily, the great customer service has also been excellent at the Centeno-Schultz clinic. Jen, with the Regenexx scheduling office, and Brittany, the poor girl who keeps having to draw blood from my wimpy self have been especially amazing!
Several weeks ago, we got everything started. I had my bone marrow aspiration in order to get my stem cells ready for reinjection. More on that in a bit! (Teaser: They use a cork screw with a syringe on it, seriously. Ouch.)
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As you know, I’ll be following all this closly, she is having a lot (I mean a LOT) of pain with this, but is, in general getting better daily. I heard some of the results of the stem cell draw, I was in the next room and literally heard her! But was able to be in on the cell injection, she took that much better. Lets all keep our fingers, (toes and anything else you would care to cross for her benefit)crossed for the results to be good ones.
This is a great read. I look forward to reading more of this from your first person point of view. We’re all praying and crossing our fingers. Keep your confidence high, and your head up! And please, for those with back pain such as yours, keep writing.
Holy Wow. You are a toughie. I will be thinking and prayin for you a lot. I think it sounds promising, and it’s amazing what can be done medically…so hang in there and keep us all posted. LOVE YOU.
This topic is quite hot in the net right now. What do you pay attention to while choosing what to write ?
I’m really interested in the Regenexx procedure for my own torn disc. I’ll be reading your entries and I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you Scott! Please let me know if you have any immediate questions, I’d be happy to answer them. I really hope this works, as I’m running out of options. I hope that you’re feeling better soon!
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
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