It funny that we was talking about a cure for MS yesterday and this pop up in my E-Mail this morning. I don't remember how I did it but I sign up for Google alert, Any time some thing about MS come up it will sent me an E-Mail tell me about what it said.
Drug gives MS patient more independence
ALBANY - A new treatment for multiple sclerosis is showing great promise.
A Capital Region woman who is proof positive of it's potential.
It's been 28 years since Chris Nigro was diagnosed with MS. Of the four types of MS, he has secondary progressive -- meaning the condition generally keeps getting worse. She was told there was no treatment, but she never gave up hope of walking.
Then Nigro began treatment at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Northeastern New York and her condition not only stabilized, but she began to grow stronger thanks to new medications.
Nigro's improvements made her a prime candidate to take part in a study for a drug called Fampridine.
"For years I had been trying to take one step when I pulled myself on a bar and I always felt if I could take one step, then I can try for two steps and then you can try for three and then you're off," she said.
Now she's able to walk about 50 feet with a rolling walker.
"Just to put one foot in front of the other and put my weight on my legs just feels wonderful to me," she said.
For the first time in 14 years her sister Nora Reid sees her upright.
"It's just so amazing and wonderful to see her on her feet. And she's taller than I am and I haven't seen that in along time," Reid said.
Fampridine is an old drug with a new life.
"It doesn't alter the disease, but it helps people function better," explained Dr. Keith Edwards, a neurologist at the MS Center.
Nigro is among 500 people nationwide who took part in the most recent clinical trial. While she didn't know what she was getting, it was clear she was getting better.
"It's symptomatic treatment to allow the messages to get through the spinal cord better," Edwards said.
The study recently wrapped up. Because Nigro is still being followed she's able to get the drug free of charge.
"I don't know that she's going to run the 100 yards in under 10 seconds but her independence is going to continue to improve," Edwards said.
Famipridime, which is taken in pill form, remains under study and the results are still being compiled. So it's not clear it will work for every MS patient like Nigro.
Also, because it's still under review, Edwards can only say it appears the drug worked for her. He also points out MS treatment is not one size fits all.
Thanks you are Mr. Information and my #1 Fan.
