Plasma or Stem cell treatment use with Lupus people

[Roanna]

I've been told I need a new knee by my specialist and my second opinion just wants to inject my knee which makes me think one is extreme the other not. The topic of stem cell and plasma has been coming up a lot and I'm curious if anyone with lupus has gone through any of these procedures for injuries. It would be elective if I do it but I don't want to throw money away if my being neutropenic will make this procedure useless. These procedures are just starting to become more popular in Canada but still so new. Any advice out there? My specialist couldn't tell me a lot about it.

[miccika1]

i just know that although the procedure has been there for years there is no single real study confirming the efficacy of plasma injections. I was told to do it on my shoulder and after some research decided not to do it. I'm getting better w physical therapy now. All 'good results' are anecdotal. My friend did it for his ankle and suffered for months in pain and it didn't do any good to him, so it's not only money, it can put you in pain and inflammation for months...

[Roanna in reply to miccika1]

Thank you for your response, that is exactly what I was wondering. I usually heal great after surgery and have little lupus responses to anything but I also haven't been on any lupus meds now for 2 years due to being somewhat stable and having Nuetropenia from the meds. I am curious because a lot of cancer treatments are stem cell related so those immunities are poor to begin with so maybe it would be worth trying. Thanks again.

[Fennella02]

My next door neighbour had the stem cell treatment to try to avoid TKR. He is 80 and diabetic so not truly answering your question but he paid privately and went up to Harley Street. In brief, it didn't work and he has had to have the TKR but he was told to stay off the leg for a couple of weeks or more which he didn't do. It's minimally invasive so probably worth trying it, isn't it?

[Roanna in reply to Fennella02]

Thanks, I was wondering also if it was mainly for more minor issues like arthritis. I have a hard time believing it would work for more damaged areas so this helps, thanks for your time.

Roanna