Russian Physician’s Guide to HSCT in Moscow

There’s good news for anyone with multiple sclerosis who is considering undergoing HSCT, especially if that involves being treated in Russia. And that’s because Denis Fedorenko, MD, who is in charge of the stem cell transplant program for MS patients, has put together a comprehensive guide to the whole procedure at the A.A. Maximov Department …

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In Moscow for HSCT: Part 3 of Phoebe’s Story

Two weeks ago, I introduced you to Phoebe Scopes, the British woman who was the first international multiple sclerosis patient to receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Moscow. Today, in part 3, Phoebe takes us with her to the A.A. Maximov Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, at the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Center …

Heeding Advice About Vitamin D Supplement Results in Improvements

 So, I’m four weeks on from starting to take vitamin D supplement. How’s it going? To be honest, I did not expect much. How could a vitamin make any difference to the multiple sclerosis symptoms that are so much part of my life? What affect could vitamin D have? I would not have started taking the …

Home from Moscow, strangely contented

Yesterday was a long and tiring day, returning home to the sunny and south of Spain from the colder temperatures found in Moscow. With the help of two members of the support team, I left the hospital at 7am, which was 6am in Spain, eventually getting home at 10.30pm. Believe me, 16½ hours of travelling …

Moscow calling – day five

My adventure in Russia, staying at the AA Maximov centre, that provides Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT), is over. Friday is devoted to flying to Spain and then a 3 hours 40 minutes coach journey home. You’ll probably know that my trip to see Dr Fedorenko, Anastasia, and the incredible team was to have various …

Moscow calling – day four

Wow, Thursday already, the last day of my clinical tests. Just one to go this morning, a nuclear heart scan. This is an unknown procedure to me but checking with the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute revealed all. It says: A nuclear heart scan is a test that provides important information about the …

Moscow calling – day three

Wednesday marks the halfway point in my journey of tests and clinical assessment at the AA Maximov centre in Moscow. Of course, I am looking forward to getting the results, although the MRI scan results are known already. The programme of tests is not complete yet but most are now behind me. Yesterday was the …

Moscow calling – day two

It’s Tuesday morning and a busy day lies ahead of me here in the AA Maximov centre in Moscow. That’s what Anastasia told me yesterday afternoon as she was about to go home after a 10 hour working day that started at 7am. And, as if to prove it, this morning I was wakened by …

Gwen Higgs, HSCT for MS advocate, ‘This is Your Life’ (part two)

Gwen Higgs underwent HSCT in Moscow in 2014. Today, she is a committed advocate for the use of stem cell therapy to treat all types of multiple sclerosis. She is a voluntary admin on many HSCT Facebook groups and is always ready with words of encouragement and reassurance. This is part two of Gwen’s story, …