REASON FOR TREATMENT:
When diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 51, James knew that he was facing a battle. He wasn't intending to lose that battle. Over the years, as his symptoms began to sink in more and more into his every day life, James was confronted with one diagnosis only-you are not going to die, but you are not going to be able to take care of yourself in the future. James has described this to me as looking into the future, and seeing your mind locked inside your own body, without being able to react to the world, something that he feared will affect not only him, but his close ones as well.
James came to the China with one thing on his mind-he did not want to succumb to Parkinson's drugs dependency, and had decided to gain his quality of life back.
BEGINNING OF TREATMENT: March 23, 2009
TREATMENT: Implantation of hRPE (human Retinal Pigment Epithelial) Cell Therapys administered via direct brain injection (minimally invasive stereotactic surgery).
CONDITION BEFORE THE TREATMENT
See Videos: before1, before2
Before coming for treatment, James's right side was totally dependant on Parkinson's medications. James couldn't operate his right leg, couldn't lift his right arm. He often experienced freeze ups, which meant that his legs would freeze and he could not initiate a movement.
His facial expressions have faded, he could no longer write, and had problems with his bladder control.
Simple every day tasks, such as zipping a zipper, were no longer possible to perform.
In order to perform every day tasks, James was dependant on his Parkinson drugs, without which function was no longer an option. The "off" times between his medications were short, and during them James was not able to move his arm, open the palm of his hand, or move.
Parkinson has affected James's speech, his mobility, rigidity and he was experiencing tremors. He started getting "choking" effects, where his neck muscles would go into spasm, and he would feel choked.
AFTER THE TREATMENT:
See Videos: after1, after2, after3, after4
In April 2009 James came to our hospital, in order to receive a dose of adult hRPE Cell Therapys, which were implanted via a single stereotactic brain injection.
After the injection, James has reduced his medication intakes, which now work for 2.5 times longer than before. His speech is louder and clearer, and his hearing has improved.
His right hand has regained mobility, and it has also seized being cold and swollen. Both hands and feet now feel warm. James told us, that for a very long time he has slept with his shoes, and about a week after the surgery he slept without them for the first time, and he felt warm.
His sleep has also improved-he can now sleep for 4-5 hours at night, something that was impossible before.
James's rigidity is improving, he no longer feels as if his neck and throat muscles are causing him to choke, and the cramping in the area is gone.
The decision to come to Beijing Beijing Puhua International Hospital hospital felt like the only option for James and his wife Sandra, since they've had contact with our previous patients, who keep on going further in their battle with Parkinson, keeping their symptoms down and regulated, and their Parkinson medication at a very low level.
"This is all that I wanted," says James, who now has longer periods of time before his medication intake, which reduced the dosage significantly, he has regained his bladder control, and is able to move even during his "off" times.
James told us, that he felt as if he was living in a cloud, while 80% of him was present, and 20% was always floating about, and now the clouds are gone.
E-mail from May 16th, 2008:
"The best news that I have on my continued improvement is that I can go 8 hours on a single dosage of Stalevo. I also have to reduce the doseage because when I take a pill it seems like I am overdosing. This is really good news because I am trying to reduce my dependence on the medication. All of the previously noted improvements continue to do good. I would like to tell you that the heat here in Arizona helps with loosening us my muscles and keeping them lose during my exercise period."
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