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Nancy
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2961 posts		 Dec-30-04, 07:35 PM (EDT)
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"Umbilical cord blood freezing"
 
   Hello Doctors,

First, I wanted to thank you for your time and wish you all a very happy New Year.

I haven't heard much on this, but both my daughter and son are expecting babies this early summer. Would it be to my advantage to have the cord blood frozen for possible use in the treatment of my MS further down the line? I'm 56 and none of the ABCR drugs have slowed down the progression of my MS, although it is still concidered rrMS.

Nancy
limbo: 1990, with lesions
dx: 9/14/01
Avonex/monthly steroid infusions


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Ellen_Guthrie_PharmDteam
Member since Aug-29-02
884 posts		 Jan-06-05, 01:17 AM (EDT)
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1. "RE: Umbilical cord blood freez"
In response to message #0
 
My gut answer is "no". I have a friend in transfusion medicine and I am going to run the question passed her. If she has anything to add, I will let you know.


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Ellen_Guthrie_PharmDteam
Member since Aug-29-02
884 posts		 Jan-06-05, 11:21 AM (EDT)
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2. "RE: Umbilical cord blood freez"
In response to message #1
 
Saving the cord blood from your grandchildren may not be the best option. First, it is expensive to store, usually about $1000 per year. The other factor they need to consider is HLA matching. Usually children and grandchildren are not the best source for transplant because they are genetically close by not close enough. There have been many recent studies for different conditions including cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders where stem cells are collected from the patient (autologous stem cell collection) and then the lab can select healthy cells and re-infuse to yourself. This is a safe and easy procedure similar to giving blood. I am not familiar with any specific studies using this for MS, but it might be an option in the future. If your doctor doesn’t know of any studies you might be able to check with the FDA or NIH to see if anything is being developed. I hope this helps.



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juliecnm
Member since Feb-22-05
1 posts		 Feb-23-05, 06:20 PM (EDT)
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3. "RE: Umbilical cord blood freez"
In response to message #2
 
   Hello,
Just wanted to add something about cord blood freezing. There are companies that are MUCH cheaper than that. I have used CRYOCELL and they charge only $50 a year. I am a midwife and I recommend them to all my patients and so far everyone has been happy with them. I also have MS and am hoping someday I can use my son's cordblood to help myself. Julie


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