James Received HSCT for Free, as He Lives in the UK

Virtually all the talk about availability of HSCT¹ as an MS treatment includes the need to travel long distances to other countries, but U.K. residents can receive the treatment in London, avoiding the journey overseas. What’s more, it is provided through the country’s social National Health Service (NHS) so, like all NHS medical care, patients are given HSCT free of charge.²

Yes, you read that right, while treatment costs worldwide seem to vary between $50,000 and $120,000, not counting travel and other incidental expenses, U.K. residents can get the therapy free.

James Coates has just undergone non-myeloablative HSCT (the protocol that uses lower-dose chemotherapy drugs) at King’s College Hospital, in London. In fact, today (Wednesday) he reaches 44 days since he received his stem cell transplant.

I was fortunate to be able to contact James, who lives in England’s north-west, to ask about his experiences and how he is getting along.

James Coates.

IF:           We hear different doctors disagreeing about HSCT. Some say it only works with Relapsing MS, others disagree. What type of MS to you have?

JC:          Secondary Progressive with an EDSS score of 6.0 to 6.5.

IF:           How long did it take from applying to receiving treatment?

JC:          After a disappointing start, it was quite quick. All applications have to be considered by a panel which, first of all, in December, turned me down as not meeting the criteria. But I appealed with the support of my neurologist and new MRI evidence. At the next panel meeting at the end of January, my application was accepted. Then, just 15 weeks later, I was in King’s where my treatment was led by consultant hematologist Dr. Majid Kazmi.

IF:           I realize that it’s early days yet, but how are you getting along so far?

JC:          As you say, it’s early yet. But my brain fog has improved and I can think more clearly and understand things more quickly. My constipation is not so bad and, before, when I would lie on the bed I could not move my right leg, as though it was dead; now I can lift it right up.

Delighted to have been given HSCT free

IF:           I know that the first three months are in ‘recovery’ mode and you cannot do any serious exercising yet, but are you happy with having been given HSCT free and your progress since?

JC:          Happy? More than happy, I’d say delighted with both. And the progress is not just me. I had my first follow-up last week and Dr. Kazmi was really pleased that I am, in his words, “ahead of the curve” and doing better than he thought I would. He was surprised and pleased that I have also started to drive again, something I had not done for months. My EDSS score is about the same but it’s too early to expect anything else yet.

IF:           What are your hopes and expectations about the final outcome of this treatment?

JC:          I am realistic about this. Stopping the MS getting worse, halting its progression is my primary goal. Anything better than that would be a great bonus. Of course, I am hopeful of that but stopping it is my main goal.

IF:           What’s next for you?

JC:          Dr. Kazmi, who is so caring, wants to see me again in another month. Then, once three months has passed, I can start some serious exercising.

IF:           Finally, James, what do you think of how you were treated by the team at King’s?

JC:          It was absolutely phenomenal. Not just Dr. Kazmi but the whole team. I cannot speak highly enough about them all.

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¹ Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

² Access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay. NHS services are free of charge, with certain exceptions approved by Parliament.