Posted 8/28/2012 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I was offered the opportunity to join a clinical trial for stem cell treatment of UC today. In lab tests, stem cells have shown to go directly to sites of tissue injury and start repair, especially in the intestinal lining, lungs, and liver.
I feel a little obligated to take part simply to help and promote the research and just out of medical curiosity. I have chosen not to do it, though, for the following reasons:
1) I would have to wait a few weeks to even join in order to let the Remicade wear off.
2) Once I join, I would have to go through vigorous testing and poop-journaling before my first treatment, which means even more waiting.
4) I would have to go in every 1-2 weeks for a full day of testing and monitoring, which means too many days off work.
3) Once I start treatment, there is a coin-toss chance that I could end up getting the placebo instead of the real deal, which would mean months of badly flaring UC under no treatment.
4) Even if I did get the real drug, who knows the chances of it actually helping, much less causing remission.
I am in such bad shape right now, I need immediate relief (may be different if I didn't have to work for a living). There is no way I could wait around for all that just on a off-shoot chance that it might work. I only have a limited number of days I can take off for sick leave before I lose my job and medical benefits, so I need to reserve those for surgery... and if I don't start feeling better in the immediate future, I'm going to have to start a long-term medical leave, cus I can't work like this.
However, I thought I'd just let you all know that the trial is out there so you know what's on the horizon... and that it sounds fairly promising. It is still in Pase II trial, so early stages of testing, but who knows... Might be the next big thing in UC treatments.