Man with multiple sclerosis says new test should be available in NL
BY JASON TEAKLE
The Nor'wester
Alex Harrold has multiple sclerosis, but a new treatment now being offered in countries such as Poland and India, he says is a huge leap in research and the most promising thing he's seen in treating MS.
The treatment, which operates on the research premise of MS being caused by blockages in veins of the neck, a vascular problem, instead of the widely-accepted belief among the medical community and people with MS that it is a neurological disease, is convincing some Newfoundland and Labrador residents with MS to go as far as Europe and Asia for treatments, and to British Columbia for an initial test to determine if there are blockages in a person's veins.
"It's the absolute most promising thing I've seen in 20 years," said Mr. Harrold. "Nothing has ever excited me like this."
Mr. Harrold says though his friends and family want him to try the treatment, he has not made that decision, saying he wants to see more research and results before he considers undergoing it.
"I haven't made that decision yet," says Mr. Harrold. "I'm more interested in moving this faster in Canada."
Mr. Harrold has contacted provincial health minister Jerome Kennedy to advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador's health care system to make the test available in the province.
"Before people start going willy-nilly to Poland and India, we need to see more results," he said. "Forget about the treatment, we need the test available in Newfoundland and Labrador."'
Mr. Harrold added he suggested to Mr. Kennedy that the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming while advocating for the test to be brought to the province.
"There are MS people coming out of the woodwork," he said.
He said there are only about 1,000 people with MS in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the MS population is static.
Mr. Harrold said he hopes the province's relatively low MS population will still be enough people to make bringing a test here worthwhile and feasible.
The treatment, which operates on the research premise of MS being caused by blockages in veins of the neck, a vascular problem, instead of the widely-accepted belief among the medical community and people with MS that it is a neurological disease, is convincing some Newfoundland and Labrador residents with MS to go as far as Europe and Asia for treatments, and to British Columbia for an initial test to determine if there are blockages in a person's veins.
"It's the absolute most promising thing I've seen in 20 years," said Mr. Harrold. "Nothing has ever excited me like this."
Mr. Harrold says though his friends and family want him to try the treatment, he has not made that decision, saying he wants to see more research and results before he considers undergoing it.
"I haven't made that decision yet," says Mr. Harrold. "I'm more interested in moving this faster in Canada."
Mr. Harrold has contacted provincial health minister Jerome Kennedy to advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador's health care system to make the test available in the province.
"Before people start going willy-nilly to Poland and India, we need to see more results," he said. "Forget about the treatment, we need the test available in Newfoundland and Labrador."'
Mr. Harrold added he suggested to Mr. Kennedy that the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming while advocating for the test to be brought to the province.
"There are MS people coming out of the woodwork," he said.
He said there are only about 1,000 people with MS in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the MS population is static.
Mr. Harrold said he hopes the province's relatively low MS population will still be enough people to make bringing a test here worthwhile and feasible.
Source: The Norwester.com
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