Michele Findlay, whose daughter Ella was diagnosed 10 years ago, will be heading overseas with the 30-year-old to find out if she has Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI).
This follows a preliminary study by a leading surgeon called Dr Paolo Zamboni from Italy who used ultrasound and magnetic resonance venography to examine the blood vessels leading in and out of the brain of hundreds of patients. He found that the majority of all his patients with multiple sclerosis he treated had defective circulation in their neck – a defect he has called CCSVI.
He believes that as the blood moves into the brain, pressure builds in the veins, forcing blood into the brain's grey matter where it sets off various reactions, possibly explaining the symptoms of MS.
If the procedure Ella will have next week shows she has CCSVI, she will then go on to have liberation treatment which helps to free the blood flow. Mrs Findlay says this treatment has been beneficial to the majority of people with MS who have had it.
The Kedale Road resident, who is keen to see the CCSVI procedure available in the UK and has joined a group which has petitioned the Prime Minister for action, said, "Ella is trepidatious, she has tried lots of other things that have worked for other people but have not worked for her – this is a last ditch option, there is nothing else.
"She doesn't want to get too excited because if it doesn't work she is back in a hopeless situation."
A Department of Health spokesperson said, "The NHS is constantly expanding the range and types of treatments available and we are always interested to know about new and innovative treatments that will not only provide benefits for the patients but for the NHS as well.
"Surgery is not without risk and all new treatments must be examined for their effectiveness, safety and cost. We look forward to further research in this area."
If anyone would like to join the petition or find out more it can be found on the link:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/CCSVINOW/