Travels to Bangkok., etc

[Buddy74]

I think this is a wonderful site. There is a lot of knowledge and information particular from the founders of this site.
I had read an article in a Naples Florida newspaper about Dr. Zanno Grekos who is a fairly well known cardiologist in Naples, close to where I live. I note that he he was on one your "ask the doctor" segments. From what I understand Dr. Grekos, among other things is the Chief Medical Officer for Regenocyte Therapeutic and is essentially an agent for TheraVitae. Due to the fact that stem cell therapy in the U.S. is some years away Dr. Grekos can apparently be of assistance in helping you with one's stem cell decisons and related medical areas. However, all roads lead to Bangkok! I note that the TheraVitae website offers "Volunteers", who have had the stem cell experience, as a communication liason. Most of the stories I have read about their conditions and resurrection are almost too good to be true although the medical facility I utilize to handle my heart problem ("Ischemic Cardiomyopathy") do have a patient who has been to Bangkok and I am told his results are quite remarkable.
It appears that almost all the discussion on this site relating to and indeed on TheraVitae's web site are quite out-dated. I wonder if there has been any up dating on TheraVitae, I understand that over 150 Americans have had the Bangkok procedure done with 80% positive results. I am not necessarily looking for longevity to my life but a much better quality of live than I now have. Thank you!

[barbara]

Buddy - Most of the members that have been to see Dr. Grekos have had treatment in the Dominican Republic. Not all stories are fabulous success stories with Theravitae, but they market the company well and have had some patients that seem to have done quite nicely. I know there are some on here that have been to Theravitae in Bangkok. Perhaps, one of them will respond.
Thank you for your kind comments about the forum.

[hlichten]

OK, where do I begin?
I have acute ischemic heart disease.
I have had the Theravitae treatment in Bangkok in 2007.
Dr. Zannos Grekkos does not treat there, as Barbara said.
He uses the Theravitae lab in Israel for blood processing as do the doctors in Bangkok. He is, in effect, their USA rep.
As for the "article in a Naples Florida newspaper about Dr. Zanno Grekos" that you read, these "articles" are usually not things that a newspaper reporter writes, they are paid advertising (paid for by Dr. Grekkos) that are made to look like articles. Usually, in fine print somewhere, it will say that the story was really a paid advertisement.
As for the "volunteers" that spout the merits of Theravitae, yes, they are too good to be true. I have always believed that Theravitae pays these people to be "volunteers".
Regarding 80% success rate, forget it. No way, no how.
As for "over 150 Americans treated", Theravitae claimed over 150 Americans treated back in late 2006 before I went there. Why don't they update that number 2 1/2 years later? Does 150 just sound good, or are they too lazy to update their media package?
Theravitae has stories about cardiac patients who get treatment and then climb mountains, scuba dive and surf very soon thereafter. Again, red flags.
Their patients are always listed by their "real names" and "articles" (yes, the same kind) get published in various family-type magazines. "Joe Smith is enjoying hand-gliding after cardiac treatment"....that kind of stuff.
I was too much wanting to be helped to see all the red flags going into treatment, and some of them I only fully realized afterward, but I don't believe that anything they did helped me at all. So, wow! I must be part of that 20% that they couldn't help! What a concept.
The total Bangkok experience is too detailed to go into in a short post like this, but be prepared for something very different! As for the Theravitae lab in Israel, they may (or may not) be quite good. We have no way to know.

You see...
There are no real, verifiable success-rate statistics for stem cell clinics.
Basically, they release (or make up) their own success rates.
However, when you hear stuff about 80% or 100%, they have then gone too far with their exaggerations. 50% improvement rate from one treatment would be huge.

I have had several stem cell treatments since then at a clinic that I trust more.

If you are unlikely to live many more years, and have money, then get an autologous treatment (or two or three) using marrow (which Theravitae does not use) or peripheral blood like they use. Keep in mind that they (and Grekkos) are among the most expensive in the world ($35,000 to $50,000 per treatment). Forget about the "extras" that they include, transportation, lodging, etc. which is all low-end. I ended up upgrading everything they included.

You can get an autologous treatment for 3 to 10 times less money, or even less money, depending on where you go.

Barbara can provide you with clinics using marrow for IV and/or direct cardiac injection.

Then, toss all the "statistics" into the trash, get your treatments, and see if you feel any better in 3-6 months. That's all that you can do.

If you are likely to live 5-10 years or more and are in USA or another western country, hang on, because real research is on the horizon.

I hope this helps you.

[Judy3]

I don't know where you are getting all your information but I had an adult stem cell infusion by Dr. Grekos in Oct. 2008. You see I have IPF which is a fatal disease and I was happy to pay Dr. Grekos for my treatment. I looked at all the treatments out there and decided this was the best for me. Dr. did not promise me a 80% or 100% cure. I was told that we may be able to stableize my disease, of which sounded good to me. Much better than being dead. After my treatment with Dr. Grekos I had the first improved pulmonary function test that I have had in 10 years.
I am not paid by theravite or Regenocyte or anyone else. I am just a retired RN that is happy with what she got in the Dominican Republic with Dr. Grekos and regenocyte.


Judy

[barbara]

Hi Judy - I know you are pleased with your treatment. I have not seen that Dr. Grekos has been working with anyone in Bangkok. He used to, but I am not sure now if there is a connection except that he uses the lab in Israel. One thing that Harv points out that is true is that many articles that appear in the news are press releases. I sometimes move threads that are posted on this forum into that category because that's where they belong. There is nothing wrong with a press release and lots of companies use them. It is just that a person needs to realize that's what it is. I believe that Dr. Grekos is doing a good job treating those with terminal lung conditions especially. May you continue to improve!

[Buddy74]

Thank you Harv, Barbara and Judy for your informative replies. This is truly a very special web site for those of us who share some special life altering conditions and who desire qualified information from people who have "been there" and who have acquired relevant information that can aid in our decision making.
Barbara, I would greatly appreciate your submitting to me those clinics using Marrow for IV/or direct cardiac injection.
Thank you.
Buddy

[barbara]

I will send them to you Buddy.

[danny]

I agree with everything everyone posted. Some people prob see great results and others get moderate or no results.

[Buddy74]

Danny: You make a good point; however, it is my experience in dealing with some fine doctors that they are loathe to get involved in discussions outside the realm of practical medicine. As in life one must at times take matters into their own hands in seeking and sorting out the best information available which is helpful in the decision making process, particularly when it involves the quality of life for you or a loved one. When it comes to the process of stem cell usage it is a difficult road. But the more you explore the wiser you become and of course you have to be careful with what your research yields. At some point one's condition may be a prime factor in making a tough decision but a decision will have to be made. It may be a decision to do nothing. I have found during my years as a Naval Aviator that risk was always a factor every time you sat in that cockpit. I have also found that sometimes to do nothing is the wrong decision. I am grateful to the people who put this web site together!
Buddy

[hlichten]

Originally Posted by Judy3

I don't know where you are getting all your information but I had an adult stem cell infusion by Dr. Grekos in Oct. 2008. You see I have IPF which is a fatal disease and I was happy to pay Dr. Grekos for my treatment. I looked at all the treatments out there and decided this was the best for me. Dr. did not promise me a 80% or 100% cure. I was told that we may be able to stableize my disease, of which sounded good to me. Much better than being dead. After my treatment with Dr. Grekos I had the first improved pulmonary function test that I have had in 10 years.
I am not paid by theravite or Regenocyte or anyone else. I am just a retired RN that is happy with what she got in the Dominican Republic with Dr. Grekos and regenocyte.
Judy

I did not say anywhere that Dr. Grekos quotes 80% (or more) success.
Buddy said it, and I said "Regarding 80% success rate, forget it. No way, no how" as part of my reply.
Nor did I say that you are paid by anyone, nor did I say that Grekos pays anyone. There are simply too many "happy Theravitae patients" willing to share their experiences with new prospective patients. Don Ho (the singer) was their most famous patient. He recently died, but was mentioned in many articles of theirs. One of their patients who has had 4+ treatments for multiple illnesses was mentioned by name in many magazine "articles" (paid for by Theravitae). He came by my hospital room in Bangkok to tell me his story. I asked him politely to leave my room. Why would a patient be making rounds at a hospital in support of their company? My guess was (again) that they paid him to do it.

Here's what I know about Grekos:
When I was in Bangkok, Dr. Grekos was there being showed around by Theravitae's owner. (yes, I know his name.)
For awhile, Grekos was doing the initial blood draws in Naples, then accompanying or meeting his patients in Bangkok.
The blood was sent from Naples to Israel,
then from Israel to Bangkok.
He now still sends the blood to Israel,
but it gets sent back from Israel to Dominican Republic.

That is pretty much all I know about Dr. Grekos, other than my
attempt to contact him from Texas more than a year ago,
which was very, very poorly handled by his staff.

He appears to be part of Theravitae, because there is news about him on their website. However, keep in mind that Theravitae has been known to list doctor's names on their website that denied any association with them.

I question some of the Naples newspaper articles that read like Theravitae press releases, even though a reporter's name is listed.

I am slightly bothered that you question where I get my information. You should re-read my post carefully and then tell me what I say that is not accurate. I stand by what I stated.

I am truly thrilled for you that you are doing better,
and know that you must be also.
This is all that matters.
You do not have to defend your doctor or clinic if you are improving!

I wish you continued better health.