None of the places offering stem cell injections have any clinical or scientific evidence to offer that demonstrates that the stem cell injection makes any difference at all. Their web sites are full of glowing testimonials by people who lead you to believe that they went into the place dragging their O2 tanks and laden with medications, miserably SOB, and came out afterward skipping down the sidewalk, tossing their meds and leaving their O2 behind. Truth is, none of them can offer any data to show that there's an increase in FEV1, reduction in medication, reduction in mucous production, reduction in exacerbations, increase in distance walked in six minutes, reduction of O2 usage, increase in O2 sats without O2......nothing, zip, nada.

A good friend who is a prominent pulmonologist, Sandy Sandhaus, likens stem cell injections to "snake oil", the sellers of which are only interested in separating desperate people with COPD from their hard earned money. There's a reason why Medicare and insurance won't pay. They don't pay for treatments that don't work.

All that said, there is significant, legitimate stem cell research going on, and most of the leading clinicians and researchers believe that stem cells will probably play a major role in a breakthrough treatment or cure. We're probably 10 - 15 years out from that. If you want to be part of the solution, join the Patient Powered Research Network through the COPD Foundation http://www.copdfoundation.org/Research/COPD-Pat...

i agree with your doctor dont bother. mine says the same thing

Well does stem cell work?

I believe that stem cell will be the the go to treatment for a lot of illnesses in the future ..as far as the Drs being skeptical I think we have to remember that they make their living off these devastating illnesses (no matter how good they are or how much we like them)... I am not talking bad about anyone in the medical profession and of course this is strictly my opinion

I changed pulmonary doctors also and I like my new one so much better! The other one had the same attitude that you described and no respect or consideration for patients ~ what a difference with my new doctor! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful, breathe-easy weekend!