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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

MS treatment offers hope to sufferers

Experimental surgery improves flow of blood

By: Jen Skerritt

Posted: 11/25/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A potentially breakthrough treatment for multiple sclerosis has given thousands of Manitoba sufferers renewed hope their painful symptoms could be cured.

Their excitement is over a recent study by Italian surgeon Dr. Paulo Zamboni, who suspects the disease is caused by poor blood flow from veins in the neck, chest and spine to the brain. Zamboni's experimental surgery to widen the veins using a stent or "balloon" has shown promising results and prompted the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to say it will fund more research into the procedure.

Stephen Kennedy, spokesman for the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Manitoba chapter, said he's received a flood of phone calls and emails from local MS sufferers eager to learn more about the surgery since a segment first aired on CTV's current affairs show W5. He cautioned the initial findings are based on a small sample of only 65 people and that more research is needed to test the experimental treatment, dubbed the "liberation'' treatment.

"This treatment is new and we know little about it," Kennedy said. "We would encourage them to go to their physician or to their neurologist first to find out if it's worth exploring."

Little is known about what causes MS, a disease that damages nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord and can result in everything from muscle spasms and trouble walking to blindness, pain and chronic fatigue. Typically, most cases of MS surface among young adults between the ages of 20 and 40. There are about 3,000 Manitobans living with MS and between five and 10 per cent are living with primary progressive MS.

Manitoba is considered an MS hot spot and has one of the highest rates of the disease in the country. Kennedy said no one can explain why the province records such high rates.

"That's one of the biggest questions," Kennedy said.

A statement on the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada's website says it's unknown whether this new type of procedure will be useful in treating MS until further research is done. Patients who are interested in being tested for vein blockages should talk to their doctor.

While the experimental treatment is in the early stages of research, it has quickly become a source of hope for many longtime sufferers.

Winnipegger Cheryl Miller has lived with MS since she was 20 and said she wouldn't hesitate to try the surgery.

"It put a stop to a lot of things in my life," the 54-year-old said of the disease.

Miller suffers from a mild form of MS that leaves her with chronic fatigue and an inability to walk long distances. She needs to hold a hand rail to walk down stairs and her feet will go numb if she walks more than 20 minutes at a time.

In the 34 years she's had the disease, Miller said advances in treatment has been slow. The retired elementary school teacher said she was prescribed a heavy dose of medication -- close to 50 pills a day -- when she had a recent relapse in MS symptoms.

Ken Miller, Cheryl's husband, said the hope of a cure has them both excited.

"It's changed the way of thinking about MS," he said.

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 25, 2009 A3

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