universal treatment for autoimmune diseases

There is already work being done on cures for a variety of autoimmune diseases. Dr. Richard Burt, Chief of Immunotherapy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, has begun clinical trials for CIDP, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc. The treatment for all of these, and others, involves autologous stem cell transplantation preceded by high dose chemotherapy. If you google Richard K. Burt, you will be directed to a website that explains the various studies that his division is conducting.

I had an intractable case of CIDP and was invited to participate in the study. I received my transplant 2 months ago. Since then I have noticed slow but steady improvement, despite the prednisone taper (I had been on 60mgs. a day just to keep from further declining. I am on 2.5 mgs now and will be completely off it on Friday.)

The chemo destroys your immune system, including the “bad guys” that cause the disease. Transplantation introduces good cells into a now pristine environment. The idea is that these stem cells will grow into healthy immune cells, thus eradicating the disease.

I do believe that this procedure will eventually be the accepted treatment for autoimmune diseases. (What will the pharmaceutical companies do??) I believe it is more than a treatment; it is a cure.

Sharon