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Multiple sclerosis sufferers lobby for research into radical new treatment
A GROUP of local multiple sclerosis sufferers are urging residents to lobby their MP to support a radical new treatment for the chronic illness.
The 20-strong group, which meets at the Multiple Sclerosis Forum at the Sanctuary of Healing, Langho, want more research into the theory MS is a vascular disease that can be treated by a simple surgical procedure.
They are asking people to send a letter, which the group has compiled, to their local MP asking for pressure to be placed on the Minister of Health to sanction vascular scans and follow-up treatments for all MS patients.
The theory that MS is a vascular disease that can be treated with angioplasty, which clears blockages in veins, is the work of Italian Dr Paolo Zamoni. His early findings suggest MS may, in fact, be a condition called CCSVI, which stands for chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency.
Dr Zamboni believes CCSVI causes veins in the neck and upper chest to twist, narrow or become blocked; in some cases, these veins never form at all. The result is poor blood drainage from the brain. He found that more than 90% of patients with MS have these malformed veins, and improper blood flow from the brain.
This theory is a radical departure from current thinking and many in the medical community remain sceptical of Dr Zamboni's work.
However, local MS sufferers who are members of the Forum think no time should be wasted and more research should be conducted.
Forum spokeswoman Julie Hitchen explained: "The MS Society UK is very sceptical and dragging their feet, with no plans for research into CCSVI, although there are now 10 planned projects worldwide.
"We are asking everyone affected by MS, their families, friends, MPs, the media and the Great British public for their support in lobbying the Minister of Health to sanction vascular scans and the follow-up treatment for all MS patients in the UK."
The letter can be downloaded from the MSRC website at www.msrc.co.uk by following the links to CCSVI.
A petition calling for Prime Minister Gordon Brown to make the CCSVI procedure available in the UK can also be signed at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/CCSVINOW/
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Monday 28 May 2012
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