EMC News - At least one Smiths Falls area home was celebrating the night Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced he was stepping down due to public pressure.

Judy Butcher is scheduled to travel to the African country March 2 and have a procedure for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) treatment March 4, which is hoped to relieve her Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. She feels time is running out and doesn't think she can wait any longer. This desperation will bring Butcher to Alexandria, Egypt early this March to be treated by Dr. Tariq Sinan, a Kuwait doctor who has reportedly seen great success.

When asked if the upheaval in Egypt has changed her decision, Butcher replied: "If the plane goes, I'll go."

One of Dr. Sinan's successes is Leeds-Grenville resident, Sandra Whitaker who had the surgery done Dec. 3, 2010.

"I was very fortunate. I had lots of very good improvement," Whitaker said.

Her treatment was able to return much-loved pas-times to her - reading and improving her ability to walk long distances.

"My life is so different now than it was in November," Whitaker added. "It's like a whole new lease on life."

Not every patient who goes through the CCSVI treatment or 'liberation treatment' as it's become known sees these kinds of results, since permanent damage can't be reversed by this procedure. CCSVI is where people have obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system.

In some patients this treatment has helped to stop further damage and removed some symptoms.

Whitaker was part of a group brought over to Egypt by Nadia Salhia of the Greater Toronto Area. Salhia saw Dr. Sinan in May 2010 for the treatment and was so impressed with his approach she's returned three times with groups of Canadian MS patients wishing treatment. Salhia sees the procedure not as a cure, but as a treatment to manage the illness.

"I don't care if I still have MS if I'm okay," she added. "No cure works for everybody."

In fact, Whitaker said the procedure is just the first step towards improvement. The progress she had after the treatment has allowed her to register for physiotherapy to improve other weaknesses like her balance.

"I'm still working on strength to bring the muscle back," she added. "You've still got to do a lot on your own."

The debate over whether the liberation treatment is or isn't a beneficial treatment for MS has been waged by patients clamouring for the procedure and the government which is currently monitoring research work.

The EMC has attempted to reach a number of physicians involved in MS care for their thoughts, but has not been successful to date. However, a spokesperson from the Minister of Health has confirmed that a scientific working group is meeting to review ongoing studies on the effect of the CCSVI treatment. The next meeting is scheduled for this summer.

It doesn't appear the government will move forward on this until the final results of these studies are known and proves that the CCSVI treatment is valid.

"Our government continues to work in the best interest of the health and safety of Canadians. This work includes a close partnership with our provincial and territorial partners who are responsible for the delivery of health care," writes Jenny Van Alstyne, spokesperson for the Hon. Leona Aglukkag, Minister of Health.

For many MS patients in Canada this answer just isn't good enough. In a letter written by several MS patients and their families, including Amy Preston of Leeds-Grenville, they challenge these studies as being flawed.

Butcher is enraged that she must travel at her cost to have this treatment done abroad and asks the health care system to do something to help.

"I think it's imperative that those hindering treatment step aside unless they have something better to offer us," Butcher said.

Seeking support

On Feb. 7, 2011 MP Kirsty Duncan submitted more than 20 questions to the federal government asking for a response within 45 days. These questions largely deal with a potential Aug. 26 meeting of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

On Jan. 29 the CCSVI Brockville group met with MP Gord Brown and MPP Steve Clark to ask for their support in having this treatment recognized in Canada.

"I and my colleagues inside the government as well as opposition members are pushing for more and more support. To make sure that it happens," Brown added at the meeting, which has since been broadcast on YouTube. "I think it's really become a forefront issue in Ottawa."

Clark will be bringing this topic back to the floor after Family Day this month where he will pose a paper question at the request of the MS Society. The question will ask for Ontario to lead the effort in a pan Canadian therapy trial for CCSVI, a registration for patients who have traveled abroad for the procedure, and assurances from the minister that no Canadian will be denied after care treatment if treated for CCSVI.

"That what they've asked and that's what I'm going to ask," Clark said.

The provincial politician congratulated local CCSVI supporters for encouraging the MS Society to make this a priority.

Both Butcher and Whitaker would like to see a standardized approach to the CCSVI treatment so that reviews of procedures being done are comparing apples to apples.

Once Butcher returns she will be faced with the challenge of receiving after care. Whitaker is having difficulty finding a hyperbaric chamber to have treatments in. Dr. Sinan suggested she do another two treatments in the chamber to help re-oxygenate her blood. Coupled with this challenge is the lack of access to doctors specializing in veins.

"We need vascular surgeons," Whitaker said.

Their hope is that one day this treatment will be available to those initially diagnosed with MS so that they don't have to experience the same pain and mobility challenges as they have.

http://www.emckemptville.ca/20110224/news/Local+woman+travels+to+Egypt+for+medical+treatment