I’m Ian Willison, and I’ve suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for nearly four years. An innovative and radical procedure has made a profound impact on my life, and now I want to share my experience in order to publicise this extraordinary new technique that helped me manage this debilitating illness.
My Story
“I am working in conjunction with one of the country’s top vascular surgeons, as I believe we shouldn’t have to expend time, energy and funds to visit medical clinics outside the UK.”But first, let me tell you a little bit about myself. After my diagnosis, I was devastated. It’s a horrific situation exacerbated by the fact that common medical advice holds that little can be done to alleviate the symptoms. Unfortunately, the current available medicine (when tested in clinical trials) had only a 20 percent success rate and throught with it a laundry list of unpalatable side effects, so it wasn't an option for me. Further research led me to try LDN (Lower Dose Naltrexone), which I’ve been taking for three years. It has no known side effects and helped a little, but only as a temporary measure.
My symptoms, unfortunately, gradually grew worse. I experienced tingling in my hands, cold legs, feet and arms, and my ability to walk was now affected, too, as my right leg began to drag. I also suffered what I can only describe as “brain fog”, which accounted for memory loss and a decrease in my ability to concentrate.
My Discovery
In February 2010, as I endured yet another relapse, I discovered CCSVI (Chronic Cerebo-Spinal Venus Insufficiency) when reading a study carried out by Professor Paulo Zamboni of Italy. According to the MS Resource Centre, CCSVI is described as a problem where blood from the brain and spine has trouble getting back to the heart. Dr Zamboni’s studies show that the majority of MS patients experience a narrowing or blockage in their jugular veins, which may be responsible for iron deposits on the brain.
The Procedure
To me, this made perfect sense, as all of my aforementioned symptoms felt more like circulation problems than anything else. The surgery, called “The Liberation Procedure”, involves identifying problematic veins and using balloon angioplasty to open up those veins and, where appropriate, insert stents into non-responding sections.
I was desperate and willing to try anything at this point, because I could feel life as I knew it slowing slipping from my cold and tingly grasp. Unfortunately, the surgery is not yet available in the UK, so a few months later in April, I travelled to Poland to go through with The Liberation Procedure.
The Outcome
My results were life-changing. I fully understand that each patient and their diagnosis can vary wildly, so I can only speak from personal experience: three months on, although I am not back to my pre-diagnosis condition, my “brain fog” has disappeared, and thankfully I no longer feel like a zombie. The temperature in my feet and legs has returned to normal and while the tingling in my arms has abated, it has not fully dissipated. My mobility is noticeably better, although it’s still weak and unsteady, and my bladder and bowels have improved.
The Future of the Liberation Procedure
As a result of my surgery and the testimonies on the ThisIsMS website from people who’ve also had this procedure, I am convinced this ground-breaking surgery is a huge breakthrough for MS and should be offered to patients across the UK. Time is one luxury we can’t afford however, as studies have shown the sooner this procedure is carried out after diagnosis, the better the results will be.
As a testament to my commitment, I am working in conjunction with one of the top vascular surgeons in the UK, as well as securing premises in Cardiff in one of the city’s finest private health clinics. I believe we shouldn’t have to expend time, energy and funds to visit medical clinics outside the UK.
Time is one luxury we can’t afford however, and I believe the sooner this procedure is carried out after diagnosis, the better the results will be.
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Our hope is that this procedure can be performed in this country within the next three months. Please sign up to register your interest, as the more buzz we generate, the sooner we can offer this surgery to the thousands of MS sufferers throughout the UK
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