Osiris Prochymal Round 2, Treatment 2

Going back to Dr. Shafran today for my second treatment in round 2 of my Osiris Prochymal stem cell treatment for Crohn's. I don't feel so hot after the one I had Monday so we'll see what happens. I guess when you get a few million stem cells you are bound to feel a bit different. Keep your fingers crossed and thanks for the support!

My Crohn's Disease Blog Update - More Osiris Prochymal

So in the ultimate good news/bad news case...I went to the doctor last week and because my CDI score was so high, I qualified for another round of 4 stem cell infusions in the Osiris Prochymal study. I begin the week after Thanksgiving. Back to smelling like an onion, the worst side effect of the treatment. I am still not sure if I got a Placebo or stem cells in round one of the Osiris Prochymal study. Keeping my fingers crossed this time. Chances are pretty good given two rounds of treatment that I at least get a 50% dose. Nothing like being a lab rat. In the meantime I continue to have bad days, and OK days. Good days are pretty rare, and lately there have been more bad days (bad cramping, night sweats, 20+ trips to the restroom, etc). I know alot of you out there deal with worse Crohn's Disease Symptoms than I have.....so I am not complaining. Keep your heads up Chronies.

Heading up to Indiana for a week to spend time with family. As always, thanks for checking out my Crohn's Disease blog. Safe travels and I will check in around Thanksgiving.

My Crohn's Update - Link Between Stress and Crohn's Disease

Well, I continue to undergo major stress. I just went through 5 1/2 hours of mediation with the ex and woulden't you know following this I had a Crohn's flare up. I spent most of my night in the bathroom. I hurt so bad I can barely walk today. I woke up for work an hour early and spent it on the toilet. I made my way to work and have been in the bathroom twice in 20 minutes. Each time I dread going because a certain area is so raw that I cried the last couple of times. Yay, its going to be such a great day.

All I know is that for me personally, the link between stress and Crohn's Disease is very real. I am pretty sure this episode will last long enough to qualify me for the second round of Prochymal in the Osiris Stem Cell Infusion study. I guess thats good news???

Osiris Prochymal Stem Cell Transplant Update and XBP1 Info

So I have to think that I got more than a placebo. While on the high level I am more relaxed, happy and content than I though possible, I am also under a lot of day-to-day stress and pressure. As almost anyone with Crohn's Disease will tell you, there is a near concrete link between stress and Crohn's Disease flare ups. With my recent stress levels, I am pretty confident that pre-Osiris Prochymal I would be in a flare up. The good news is that I am not. The pain has subsided quite a bit and I am generally feeling really great as it relates to Crohn's. My improvements were enough to qualify me for phase II and as soon as I enter a flare-up, I am ready for 4 more treatments. I am more living with Crohn's now than I am suffering from it, and that is a big step in the right direction! Anyways, to you guys that are in Crones flare-ups or have been recently diagnosed....keep your heads up...and let me know if you have any questions. Be sure to use the search feature on this blog as we have covered alot of topics over the years.

-Scottie

PS - Intersing info here exploring the genetic link to Crohn's

A team of scientists have discovered that the XBP1 gene is a risk factor for developing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The investigators created a mouse model in which they deleted XBP1within the epithelium. They found that the mice spontaneously developed an intestinal inflammation that resembled IBD. The lack of the XBP1 gene disabled the normal communication between intestinal epithelial cells and gut bacteria, resulting in dysfunctional immune response and disease, the researchers explain.

The researchers then reportedly demonstrated that alterations in this gene in the intestinal-lining cells represent risk factors for development of Crohn's and colitis. The study was conducted by scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and institutes in Germany, The Netherlands, and Austria. Results appear in the September 5 issue of Cell.