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Listen "Ep43 A conversation about MS and AHSCT: Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant"
Episode Synopsis
On this episode of The Raw Nerve, host Dr Julia Morahan, Head of Research at MS Australia is joined by retired police officer, Michael Butler who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), and his neurologist, Dr Jennifer Massey from St Vincent’s Hospital, New South Wales, for an in-depth conversation about Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) and MS.
This episode is for those who want to understand more about AHSCT from an expert and hear from someone who has had the treatment in Australia.
Michael Butler has lived with MS for over 20 years and shares his incredible 2002 diagnosis story while a serving officer in the New South Wales police force. He talks through his subsequent MS journey and personal mantra for making the most of what you can rather than can’t do. Michael and his neurologist talk about his referral to Dr Massey’s clinic at St Vincent’s, his early days as a patient, treatment history and AHSCT journey.
Host Dr Julia Morahan explains AHSCT and provides insight into MS Australia’s involvement in AHSCT research nationally and internationally and registry of people that have been receiving this treatment in Australia – headquartered at St Vincent’s in Sydney - where MS Australia tracks the outcomes of Australians who have undergone this treatment for MS.
Detailing her considerations around presenting AHSCT as a treatment for those eligible while explaining the risks, Dr Massey says, “a big part of this treatment is about identifying people who are most likely to benefit, and that's where accumulating information and these registry studies are going to be most beneficial.” She shares advice for others considering AHSCT, especially the factors to weigh up if they are thinking of making this decision. And given the abundance of media about stem cells across a range of neurological conditions, not just MS, Dr Massey thinks, “having a good understanding of what this treatment is, what it can offer, what it can't offer, and the risks are really the key.”
Michael generously talks through and shares for listeners his decision to try the treatment and his preparation, journey, support networks and his life today.
Key Topics
The lived experience
Health management
Consultation process
Useful Links
MS Australia: Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) Website
MS Australia AHSCT Position Statement
Episode Transcript
Currently AHSCT treatment is provided in Australia at St Vincent’s, Sydney and through two observational clinical trials at Austin Health, Melbourne and The Alfred, Melbourne (visit the MS Australia Clinical Trials Network website for more information) and by a small number of other centres on a case by case basis. These centres have strict eligibility requirements that have been set by the hospital ethics committees and may only apply to limited numbers of patients with MS. It is for this reason patients need to be referred to these centres by a neurologist, who can provide a detailed clinical history and MRI findings.
Acronym Glossary
MS – multiple sclerosis
AHSCT - Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (sometimes referred to as HSCT)
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
PIRA – progression independent of relapse activity
This episode is for those who want to understand more about AHSCT from an expert and hear from someone who has had the treatment in Australia.
Michael Butler has lived with MS for over 20 years and shares his incredible 2002 diagnosis story while a serving officer in the New South Wales police force. He talks through his subsequent MS journey and personal mantra for making the most of what you can rather than can’t do. Michael and his neurologist talk about his referral to Dr Massey’s clinic at St Vincent’s, his early days as a patient, treatment history and AHSCT journey.
Host Dr Julia Morahan explains AHSCT and provides insight into MS Australia’s involvement in AHSCT research nationally and internationally and registry of people that have been receiving this treatment in Australia – headquartered at St Vincent’s in Sydney - where MS Australia tracks the outcomes of Australians who have undergone this treatment for MS.
Detailing her considerations around presenting AHSCT as a treatment for those eligible while explaining the risks, Dr Massey says, “a big part of this treatment is about identifying people who are most likely to benefit, and that's where accumulating information and these registry studies are going to be most beneficial.” She shares advice for others considering AHSCT, especially the factors to weigh up if they are thinking of making this decision. And given the abundance of media about stem cells across a range of neurological conditions, not just MS, Dr Massey thinks, “having a good understanding of what this treatment is, what it can offer, what it can't offer, and the risks are really the key.”
Michael generously talks through and shares for listeners his decision to try the treatment and his preparation, journey, support networks and his life today.
Key Topics
The lived experience
Health management
Consultation process
Useful Links
MS Australia: Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (AHSCT) Website
MS Australia AHSCT Position Statement
Episode Transcript
Currently AHSCT treatment is provided in Australia at St Vincent’s, Sydney and through two observational clinical trials at Austin Health, Melbourne and The Alfred, Melbourne (visit the MS Australia Clinical Trials Network website for more information) and by a small number of other centres on a case by case basis. These centres have strict eligibility requirements that have been set by the hospital ethics committees and may only apply to limited numbers of patients with MS. It is for this reason patients need to be referred to these centres by a neurologist, who can provide a detailed clinical history and MRI findings.
Acronym Glossary
MS – multiple sclerosis
AHSCT - Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (sometimes referred to as HSCT)
MRI – magnetic resonance imaging
PIRA – progression independent of relapse activity
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