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Q&A-1 session for paid subscribers

Q&A-1 session for paid subscribers

Q1: Would you recommend this stem cell therapy as a treatment for MS? Q2: My first MS symptoms were triggered by hepatitis B vaccination; would you recommend I have a hepatitis B booster vaccine?

Gavin Giovannoni's avatar
Gavin Giovannoni
Aug 25, 2023
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Q&A-1 session for paid subscribers
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Q1 - Stem cell therapy

My father is 58 years old and has had MS for 33 years. He is now in a wheelchair. He stopped disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) some years ago and, after some time, started rituximab. 

Now, he wonders if there is a time to try more aggressive therapeutics. He came across a clinic that offers stem cell transplants. I don't know if they should be trusted.

I understand his search for more and better treatment, and I would like to know how to advise him better.

Q2 - Hepatitis B Vaccine Booster

I am a middle-aged male and have just had an HPV vaccine. I was informed at the clinic that my Hepatitis B antibodies are in the 20s and was recommended to have a booster or be revaccinated. Unfortunately, I  recall having my first MS symptoms (paresthesia, optic neuritis, imbalance) immediately following my previous Hepatitis B vaccination. I have read the literature on the subject; I do not suspect causality but wonder if I should revaccinate, fearing another triggering event. Your advice would be appreciated. 

NOTE: General substack newsletters and microsite are free; it is only Q&A sessions that are restricted to paying subscribers. I can't run and maintain the MS-Selfie microsite, hence the need to pay people to help do the work for me. If people want to ask medical questions unrelated to the Newsletters or Podcasts, they either need to become paying subscribers or email (ms-selfie@giovannoni.net) to request a complimentary subscription.

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