Diabetes Patient Stories
Sean DePaula (20 years old), Diabetes Type 1
Born: Olympia, Washington
Background
My name is Sean DePaula and I am from Golden, Colorado. I am 20 years old and a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 8 months ago.
Condition Before Stem Cell Therapy
My symptoms remained relatively stable since I was recently diagnosed. I had to check my blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day. For breakfast, I had to give myself one unit of short-acting insulin for every 20 grams of carbohydrate. For lunch and dinner, I had to give myself one unit of short-acting insulin for every 15 grams of carbohydrate. Every night, I had to give myself about 5 units of long-lasting insulin.
Progress After Stem Cell Therapy
My insulin needs have dropped dramatically. The best thing is that I no longer need to give myself long-lasting insulin. This has allowed me significantly greater freedom and it is very nice to not have to give myself a shot every night. For breakfast, I can have 30 grams of carbohydrate for every unit of insulin. For lunch and dinner, I can have 20 to 25 grams of carbohydrate for every unit of insulin. I think that these numbers may improve even further.
Yes, it was a great experience that has helped improve my quality of life.
Progress Update August 2010
From: Sean DePaula [mailto:EDITED FOR PRIVACY]
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 9:57 PM
Subject: RE: Progress Report and Patient Reference
I wanted to contact you and let you know that my insulin needs have dropped even further in recent months. I am still off long lasting insulin, and my short lasting insulin needs have dropped dramatically. I no longer take short lasting insulin for breakfast or lunch. And for dinner, I only need between 0 and 2 units of short lasting insulin.
Progress Update November 2011
As of November 2011, I am taking 16 units of long-lasting insulin every night and I do not have to take short-acting insulin with breakfast. For lunch and dinner, I take one unit of short-acting insulin for every 20 grams of carbohydrate. My bloodwork from September 2011 showed a c-peptide level of 0.91. Although my conditions are slowly worsening, they remain better than when I was first diagnosed with diabetes.
Born: Olympia, Washington
Background
My name is Sean DePaula and I am from Golden, Colorado. I am 20 years old and a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 8 months ago.
Condition Before Stem Cell Therapy
My symptoms remained relatively stable since I was recently diagnosed. I had to check my blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day. For breakfast, I had to give myself one unit of short-acting insulin for every 20 grams of carbohydrate. For lunch and dinner, I had to give myself one unit of short-acting insulin for every 15 grams of carbohydrate. Every night, I had to give myself about 5 units of long-lasting insulin.
Progress After Stem Cell Therapy
My insulin needs have dropped dramatically. The best thing is that I no longer need to give myself long-lasting insulin. This has allowed me significantly greater freedom and it is very nice to not have to give myself a shot every night. For breakfast, I can have 30 grams of carbohydrate for every unit of insulin. For lunch and dinner, I can have 20 to 25 grams of carbohydrate for every unit of insulin. I think that these numbers may improve even further.
Yes, it was a great experience that has helped improve my quality of life.
Progress Update August 2010
From: Sean DePaula [mailto:EDITED FOR PRIVACY]
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2010 9:57 PM
Subject: RE: Progress Report and Patient Reference
I wanted to contact you and let you know that my insulin needs have dropped even further in recent months. I am still off long lasting insulin, and my short lasting insulin needs have dropped dramatically. I no longer take short lasting insulin for breakfast or lunch. And for dinner, I only need between 0 and 2 units of short lasting insulin.
Progress Update November 2011
As of November 2011, I am taking 16 units of long-lasting insulin every night and I do not have to take short-acting insulin with breakfast. For lunch and dinner, I take one unit of short-acting insulin for every 20 grams of carbohydrate. My bloodwork from September 2011 showed a c-peptide level of 0.91. Although my conditions are slowly worsening, they remain better than when I was first diagnosed with diabetes.
Bogomila Ilieva (14 years old), Diabetes Type 1
February 2011
From: Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
Bogomila was diagnosed with DM1 in November 2009. In the beginning of May 2010 Bogomila got her stem cell treatment via angiography.
Before the treatment, for one year she lost weight, she was always thirsty and her vision was deteriorating. She had just recovered from pneumonia. Before the stem cell therapy she took 40E of insulin through the pump.
After the stem cell treatment she is now, for a 24 hour period, taking 30E of insulin this considering the fact that she is a teenager. She grew in stature and got back her weight. Her organism is functioning normally.
We have excellent impressions from the clinic, the doctors, the staff and in general.
We have already recommended the treatment to people who knew Bogomila's situation and had questions.
February 2011
From: Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
Bogomila was diagnosed with DM1 in November 2009. In the beginning of May 2010 Bogomila got her stem cell treatment via angiography.
Before the treatment, for one year she lost weight, she was always thirsty and her vision was deteriorating. She had just recovered from pneumonia. Before the stem cell therapy she took 40E of insulin through the pump.
After the stem cell treatment she is now, for a 24 hour period, taking 30E of insulin this considering the fact that she is a teenager. She grew in stature and got back her weight. Her organism is functioning normally.
We have excellent impressions from the clinic, the doctors, the staff and in general.
We have already recommended the treatment to people who knew Bogomila's situation and had questions.
Charles Rothwell (69 years old), Diabetes Type 2
Diagnosis
I was first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in May 1980. For the following 28 years I managed to keep my condition under control with diet, exercise and tablets my HBA 1C readings varying between 6 - 7.5. Gradually the readings elevated to 8+ for my 3 monthly HBA 1C.
I tried increasing my activity, returning to the gymnasium twice weekly together with my active lifestyle of walking, golf and physical labour on my Farming property. The readings remained elevated.
I decided to do some research on the net and discovered that your clinic in Germany carried out stem cell transplantation. Realizing that this was the way of the future and that there was a good chance that I may be a candidate for this procedure I made contact with the centre in Cologne, Germany. It was from this that I made the acquaintance of my case manager.
I completed an online questionnaire requesting medical information and was accepted for treatment. Arrangements were then made at the clinic in Germany for my stem cell extraction on May 11, 2010.
Well the 11th of May soon came around for the stem cell extraction which was taken from my hip bone marrow, at this stage I admit to a feeling of slight apprehension not knowing how things would go. This procedure was relatively painless and only took around 20 minutes. Stem cells extracted were then processed with the best quality to be transplanted the following day by angiography injection. This procedure went smoothly and was painless.
I highly commend the entire staff including the driver for their care and understanding.
My Results
My blood sugar readings prior to my procedure varied ranging from ok to relatively high. I was injecting 26 units of Lantis Solo Star each evening and taking Diabex twice a day. Once I had the procedure and returned home I noticed a drop in my blood sugar readings almost immediately. Over the next 2-3 months I managed to lower my intake of Insulin to less than half now using only 12 units each evening.
After a recent HBA 1C test result I increased my units to 18 per day with good blood sugar readings, overall this is a reduction of 30% in Insulin usage. My next 3 monthly HBA 1C will further clarify my situation, there has been a distinct improvement in my condition, I feel great and would consider another visit if recommended by the doctor taking into account a further improvement in my readings.
Diagnosis
I was first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in May 1980. For the following 28 years I managed to keep my condition under control with diet, exercise and tablets my HBA 1C readings varying between 6 - 7.5. Gradually the readings elevated to 8+ for my 3 monthly HBA 1C.
I tried increasing my activity, returning to the gymnasium twice weekly together with my active lifestyle of walking, golf and physical labour on my Farming property. The readings remained elevated.
I decided to do some research on the net and discovered that your clinic in Germany carried out stem cell transplantation. Realizing that this was the way of the future and that there was a good chance that I may be a candidate for this procedure I made contact with the centre in Cologne, Germany. It was from this that I made the acquaintance of my case manager.
I completed an online questionnaire requesting medical information and was accepted for treatment. Arrangements were then made at the clinic in Germany for my stem cell extraction on May 11, 2010.
Well the 11th of May soon came around for the stem cell extraction which was taken from my hip bone marrow, at this stage I admit to a feeling of slight apprehension not knowing how things would go. This procedure was relatively painless and only took around 20 minutes. Stem cells extracted were then processed with the best quality to be transplanted the following day by angiography injection. This procedure went smoothly and was painless.
I highly commend the entire staff including the driver for their care and understanding.
My Results
My blood sugar readings prior to my procedure varied ranging from ok to relatively high. I was injecting 26 units of Lantis Solo Star each evening and taking Diabex twice a day. Once I had the procedure and returned home I noticed a drop in my blood sugar readings almost immediately. Over the next 2-3 months I managed to lower my intake of Insulin to less than half now using only 12 units each evening.
After a recent HBA 1C test result I increased my units to 18 per day with good blood sugar readings, overall this is a reduction of 30% in Insulin usage. My next 3 monthly HBA 1C will further clarify my situation, there has been a distinct improvement in my condition, I feel great and would consider another visit if recommended by the doctor taking into account a further improvement in my readings.
Alberto Bazzan (64 years old), Diabetes Type 2
Country: Italy
Treatments: August 2007 and January 2009
I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 in 2005. I weighed 124 kg, did not exercise and would sweat for no good reason. My doctor began treating me with metformin in gradually increasing dosages.
Neither exercising nor improving my diet, my condition worsened. Because of this, I decided to come for stem cell treatment for the first time in August 2007. After treatment, I went four months without a single instance of high blood sugar.
However, during the time following treatment, I did not change my poor eating and exercise habits. Consequently, I regressed.
I came for a second treatment in January, 2009 and, like the first time, my condition improved significantly. In October, 2009, I finally started a serious, low sugar diet and lost 26 kg in four months. My most impressive achievement since last October has been keeping my glycemic index in the range of 85 - 95. Only one time has it gone over 120 (127).
For the past 10 weeks, I have stopped taking metformin altogether! My blood pressure is now down into the 100-110 range and my cholesterol is down to 140 with less medication.
My A1C is down to 6.5 from 11 originally.
So now, with a stem cell rejuvenated pancreas and proper diet, I am no longer considered to be "diabetic" in the official sense of the word.
My cardiovascular health has also improved. Last week, I surprised myself by jumping up a large university escalator every other step!
I am now wearing suits that I haven't been able to wear for 15 years. My friends hardly recognize me because of my slim figure and healthy attitude. Honestly, I still eat a lot but just a lot of the right stuff.
It's hard for me to imagine that a few short months ago, I was a diabetic. My doctor did not believe it either but my latest blood tests confirm it. Fasting blood sugar 96, blood pressure 107/60 and still losing weight!
Country: Italy
Treatments: August 2007 and January 2009
I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 in 2005. I weighed 124 kg, did not exercise and would sweat for no good reason. My doctor began treating me with metformin in gradually increasing dosages.
Neither exercising nor improving my diet, my condition worsened. Because of this, I decided to come for stem cell treatment for the first time in August 2007. After treatment, I went four months without a single instance of high blood sugar.
However, during the time following treatment, I did not change my poor eating and exercise habits. Consequently, I regressed.
I came for a second treatment in January, 2009 and, like the first time, my condition improved significantly. In October, 2009, I finally started a serious, low sugar diet and lost 26 kg in four months. My most impressive achievement since last October has been keeping my glycemic index in the range of 85 - 95. Only one time has it gone over 120 (127).
For the past 10 weeks, I have stopped taking metformin altogether! My blood pressure is now down into the 100-110 range and my cholesterol is down to 140 with less medication.
My A1C is down to 6.5 from 11 originally.
So now, with a stem cell rejuvenated pancreas and proper diet, I am no longer considered to be "diabetic" in the official sense of the word.
My cardiovascular health has also improved. Last week, I surprised myself by jumping up a large university escalator every other step!
I am now wearing suits that I haven't been able to wear for 15 years. My friends hardly recognize me because of my slim figure and healthy attitude. Honestly, I still eat a lot but just a lot of the right stuff.
It's hard for me to imagine that a few short months ago, I was a diabetic. My doctor did not believe it either but my latest blood tests confirm it. Fasting blood sugar 96, blood pressure 107/60 and still losing weight!
Ted Potter (68 years old), Diabetes Type 2
How it started
I had been diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 for four years when, in the beginning of 2008, my blood sugar levels became increasingly high. Despite following a very strict diet - I was nearly starving myself - and taking oral anti-diabetics, my blood sugar levels were spiking up to 7.2 mmol/l (130 mg/dl) (Normal is from 4.5 (80mg/dl) to 6.7 mmol/l (120mg/dl)). I have always been very pro-active when it comes to my health and found out about a possible stem cell therapy while actually researching the internet about my cardiovascular disease. The combination of my cardiovascular problems (I have had 8 stents implanted) and the worsening of my diabetes was worrying me quite a lot. By all means, I was trying to avoid becoming insulin-dependent, but I was getting near the limit.
First stem cell treatment in March 2008
By the end of March 2008, I consulted my endocrinologist who encouraged the idea of stem cell treatments. I traveled to Germany with my wife, who is of German origin, and my daughter, a nurse. We spent 10 pleasant days in Germany visiting relatives prior to checking in. The bone marrow was collected from my hip bone and the stem cells were reapplied via angiography directly into the pancreas. Although I was informed that the procedure might cause a little pain, I did not require any local anesthetic.
The Result
Upon my return home, merely four days after the re-implantation of stem cells, my blood sugar levels were going down rapidly. My US endocrinologist, advised me to discontinue my medication just three months later.
Today my blood sugar levels are down to an average of 5.5 mmol/l (99 mg/dl). My quality of life has improved, now that I do not have to follow a strict diet and have a better peace of mind with regards to my blood sugar levels. I no longer require any medication. A possible side effect might be an improvement in my cardiovascular system. In the past, during regular treadmill-cardiovascular examinations, I had felt immense chest pains. The last one prior to treatment in July 2007, the pain was quite unbearable. A repeat test in the summer of 2008 - after my stem cell therapy - caused no chest-pain at all!
Outlook
My diabetes might not be cured, but it has improved very satisfactorily. If necessary I would undergo a second treatment. I wish there was better education available about adult stem cell therapy - which is often wrongly mistaken with embryonic stem cell therapy - and for a wider availability of the treatment, especially in the US, and especially for patients who do not have the financial resources to travel abroad for treatment.
How it started
I had been diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 for four years when, in the beginning of 2008, my blood sugar levels became increasingly high. Despite following a very strict diet - I was nearly starving myself - and taking oral anti-diabetics, my blood sugar levels were spiking up to 7.2 mmol/l (130 mg/dl) (Normal is from 4.5 (80mg/dl) to 6.7 mmol/l (120mg/dl)). I have always been very pro-active when it comes to my health and found out about a possible stem cell therapy while actually researching the internet about my cardiovascular disease. The combination of my cardiovascular problems (I have had 8 stents implanted) and the worsening of my diabetes was worrying me quite a lot. By all means, I was trying to avoid becoming insulin-dependent, but I was getting near the limit.
First stem cell treatment in March 2008
By the end of March 2008, I consulted my endocrinologist who encouraged the idea of stem cell treatments. I traveled to Germany with my wife, who is of German origin, and my daughter, a nurse. We spent 10 pleasant days in Germany visiting relatives prior to checking in. The bone marrow was collected from my hip bone and the stem cells were reapplied via angiography directly into the pancreas. Although I was informed that the procedure might cause a little pain, I did not require any local anesthetic.
The Result
Upon my return home, merely four days after the re-implantation of stem cells, my blood sugar levels were going down rapidly. My US endocrinologist, advised me to discontinue my medication just three months later.
Today my blood sugar levels are down to an average of 5.5 mmol/l (99 mg/dl). My quality of life has improved, now that I do not have to follow a strict diet and have a better peace of mind with regards to my blood sugar levels. I no longer require any medication. A possible side effect might be an improvement in my cardiovascular system. In the past, during regular treadmill-cardiovascular examinations, I had felt immense chest pains. The last one prior to treatment in July 2007, the pain was quite unbearable. A repeat test in the summer of 2008 - after my stem cell therapy - caused no chest-pain at all!
Outlook
My diabetes might not be cured, but it has improved very satisfactorily. If necessary I would undergo a second treatment. I wish there was better education available about adult stem cell therapy - which is often wrongly mistaken with embryonic stem cell therapy - and for a wider availability of the treatment, especially in the US, and especially for patients who do not have the financial resources to travel abroad for treatment.
Mahmood Fekri (57 years old), Diabetes Type 2
Country: Bahrain
Treatment date: 1st of October 2010
My story
I spent 28 years of my life coping with diabetes. By coping, I mean, attempting to control my blood sugar in every way possible; from diets, exercise, and medication, to even local herbs. I spent a great deal of my time, researching, and looking to defy something one of my doctors once said to me:
If anyone tells you there is a cure for diabetes, he/she is lying to you.
Since I was diagnosed my medicine intake was increasing gradually until it reached to a point that my doctor was considering to diagnose me with type 1, which I completely and outwardly refused. In the second to third quarter of year 2010 my blood sugar was out of control and the reading went up to 170 to 220 before my first meal of the day. I tried everything I could, including reducing myself to intense levels of hunger, to reduce the reading.
I distinctly remember walking down the streets of Melbourne, where my daughters used to study, and envying the people walking opposite me, who were holding cups of Gelato ice-cream with satisfied looks on their faces, despite the chilly cold weather. I was losing hope.
Treatment
In July 2010 I received an e-mail from a friend of mine, who happened to know about my situation, with the following headline "Diabetic stem cell treatment." The email contained everything I needed to be informed of, and the next thing I knew, I was booking a plane to to get treated.
Everything went smoothly and soon enough, I was on a hospital bed ready to go. The bone marrow extraction took approximately 20 minutes was with mild pain however the procedure went very smoothly. Two days later and after the stem cell were isolated and once the process had been completed was re-injected in to my pancreas through angiography.
Usually stem cells count requirement for the treatment is around 2 million, in my case the stem cells count was 822k of which 94% were active, in reality I only had 36.2% active stem cells of the requirement which brought on feelings of disappointment. I discussed the matter with the doctor, who remained patient and open to all my enquiries throughout the treatment and to whom I am very grateful for the optimism and hope he helped me regain. He calmly informed me that there are patient with low stem cells like my case still they get results.
Through my discussions with the doctor and the patients in the clinic I gathered that I would have to wait approximately three to four months until injected stem cells will take full effect, in my case with such low stem cells, the treatment started to take effect after one week, I could not believe it!
I smiled with tears as my blood sugar started to show lower reading and gradually I reduced my medicine intake by 50% and I think my blood sugar improve by more than 65%.
Now I am considering second treatment and hopefully I will no longer require any medication.
Country: Bahrain
Treatment date: 1st of October 2010
My story
I spent 28 years of my life coping with diabetes. By coping, I mean, attempting to control my blood sugar in every way possible; from diets, exercise, and medication, to even local herbs. I spent a great deal of my time, researching, and looking to defy something one of my doctors once said to me:
If anyone tells you there is a cure for diabetes, he/she is lying to you.
Since I was diagnosed my medicine intake was increasing gradually until it reached to a point that my doctor was considering to diagnose me with type 1, which I completely and outwardly refused. In the second to third quarter of year 2010 my blood sugar was out of control and the reading went up to 170 to 220 before my first meal of the day. I tried everything I could, including reducing myself to intense levels of hunger, to reduce the reading.
I distinctly remember walking down the streets of Melbourne, where my daughters used to study, and envying the people walking opposite me, who were holding cups of Gelato ice-cream with satisfied looks on their faces, despite the chilly cold weather. I was losing hope.
Treatment
In July 2010 I received an e-mail from a friend of mine, who happened to know about my situation, with the following headline "Diabetic stem cell treatment." The email contained everything I needed to be informed of, and the next thing I knew, I was booking a plane to to get treated.
Everything went smoothly and soon enough, I was on a hospital bed ready to go. The bone marrow extraction took approximately 20 minutes was with mild pain however the procedure went very smoothly. Two days later and after the stem cell were isolated and once the process had been completed was re-injected in to my pancreas through angiography.
Usually stem cells count requirement for the treatment is around 2 million, in my case the stem cells count was 822k of which 94% were active, in reality I only had 36.2% active stem cells of the requirement which brought on feelings of disappointment. I discussed the matter with the doctor, who remained patient and open to all my enquiries throughout the treatment and to whom I am very grateful for the optimism and hope he helped me regain. He calmly informed me that there are patient with low stem cells like my case still they get results.
Through my discussions with the doctor and the patients in the clinic I gathered that I would have to wait approximately three to four months until injected stem cells will take full effect, in my case with such low stem cells, the treatment started to take effect after one week, I could not believe it!
I smiled with tears as my blood sugar started to show lower reading and gradually I reduced my medicine intake by 50% and I think my blood sugar improve by more than 65%.
Now I am considering second treatment and hopefully I will no longer require any medication.
