Table 2. Study Participant Perceptions of Treatment Effect, Time to Maximal Effect, Loss of Effect, Perspectives on Re-Infusion, and Undirected Comments.
Age | Sex | Smoking (PY) | Time post-infusion at independent interview (months) | Time to optimal subjective effect | Time course of overall effect | Waning of effect over time | Do it again? | Other comments and effects noted (undirected) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
72 | M | 40 | 13 | 1 day | Continually getting better | No | Yes | Lethargy, memory loss, pallor gone, arthritis gone for 2 months, actinic keratosis better, increased sex drive, better hearing, exercises |
M | 100 | 17 | 1 month | Continually getting better | No | Yes | Sounds and looks better | |
F | 75 | 1 month | Continually getting better | No | Yes | Off prednisone | ||
F | 70 | 1 month | 3 months | Yes | No (yes if cost-free) | Looks better, no cough, no bronchitis | ||
70 | M | 50 | 23 | None | None | Yes | No (yes if cost-free) | Getting worse |
61 | F | 40 | 15 | 1 month | Continually getting better | No | No (yes if cost-free) | Feels stronger and does not get URIs, but not oxygen-independent which is what was hoped for |
73 | F | 45 | 12 | None | None | Yes | Yes | Thyroid is better; pulmonologist decreasing thyroid meds |
F | 50 | 27 | 1 day | 3 months | Yes | Yes | 15-20% increase in breathing capabilities initially, now baseline; RLL malignancy discovered after treatment; cough better since treatment | |
69 | M | 60 | 20 | 1 month | Gradually getting worse after first month | Yes | No (yes if cost-free) | Easier oxygen intake, but no difference |
57 | F | 20 (quit 2009) | instantly | 1 month | No | Yes | Also had similar infusions (3) at another (US) facility. Noted that fatigue lessened and post-exertional recovery improved. | |
63 | M | 90 | 7 | None | None | None | No | On UCLA lung transplant program |
M | Little but welder so environmental exposure | 18 | 1 day | Continually getting better | No | Yes, if he could receive without travel | Fewer panic attacks due to SOB, wife noticed patient has been less confused and has had fewer other medical issues; still on oxygen |
PY: packs per year; UTI: urinary track infection; RLL: right lower lobe; SOB: shortness of breath.