Not long after Calgarian Dallas Gramlick McEwen underwent "liberation treatment" in Phoenix this week her legs turned pink. Her fingers and toes warmed up and she drew in deep breaths.

She'd been waiting for those moments for about 10 years, but multiple sclerosis kept them from her.

Now, Gramlick McEwen believes the controversial treatment she had just two days ago saved her life.

"They found that my vein was in a knot behind my heart," the 31-year-old said. "It was so clogged and twisted I was going to die. I couldn't wait any longer, whether I was a normal person or someone with MS."

On Thursday, the Alberta government committed $1 million to study the treatment, a move some MS sufferers, including Gramlick McEwen, say is long overdue.

The money will fund a three-year study that will test whether the procedure is safe by surveying Albertans who have MS and have had the treatment. The results will determine whether the province will conduct clinical trials.

"This observational study is about obtaining more research to help fill the evidence void that currently exists," Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said. "If this . . . observational study does yield the kind of information that we would be looking at, not only from a public good standpoint but from a medical point of view especially, then certainly we would look very seriously at putting into effect the clinical trial."

About 12,000 Albertans have the disease, which affects the way nerve cells communicate and causes symptoms ranging from numbness, fatigue and pain to vision loss vision and difficulty speaking.

The government estimates about 30 Albertans have had the Zamboni treatment outside the country, while the MS Society of Canada estimates the number is closer to 100.

The treatment was developed by Italian Dr. Pablo Zamboni and involves opening blocked veins in the neck with balloon catheters similar to those used in coronary angioplasty.

The Alberta study is designed by researchers and neurologists at the University of Calgary, who will use an online survey to gather information from at least 500 people who have multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Tom Feasby, dean of the university's school of medicine, said the study responds to people with multiple sclerosis who have lobbied for access to the treatment in Canada.

"Some of them are voting with their feet," he said of the patients who have travelled to India, Costa Rica and Mexico for the treatment, which can cost as much as $20,000.

However, he said it is not yet clear whether the treatment is safe, a prerequisite for clinical trials. "There is substantial anecdotal evidence of risk."

Gramlick McEwen, who was able to get the $20,000 surgery after friends and strangers donated more than $13,000, said she'd be happy to participate in the study if it will lead to clinical trials.

But she's skeptical.

"When someone needs a triple bypass, they get it because if they don't they will die," she said. "I don't know what the government is afraid of when it comes to testing. It just makes me cry that they are so super conservative and can't just start testing so they can see the proof themselves."

MS Society of Canada spokesman Darrel Gregory said the organization supports the study. "People with MS are anxious and have a sense of urgency for this, so I would expect that three years will seem like a long time," he said. "But we're not in a position to second-guess the researchers, and we have to take it on good faith that they are doing what needs to be done."

Warren Stefenyk, who has lobbied for access to the treatment in Canada, said the province is being "overly cautious."

"It appears to be a stalling tactic," he said. "There's plenty of research that has already proven that this procedure is safe and effective."

He said the treatment is no more dangerous that other medical interventions.

"People die from MS every day. As we speak, there are thousands of people in this province who are very sick, very close to death, and who don't have four years to wait."

Gramlick McEwen said since being diagnosed at age 20 she's watched her "life" slowly dwindle away.

Two promising careers -- one in veterinary medicine the other as a singer -- vanished, she has difficulty sleeping, walking, is afraid to go out on her own and can't remember the last time she felt independent.

"It is a really ugly disease, a monster, that takes everything away from you and is constantly after you no matter how well you take care of yourself," said Gramlick McEwen.

She's not cured, she notes, and is still waiting to see dramatic results. "I had to do whatever I could," she said.

dtetley@calgaryherald.com