How does the more recent Multiple Sclerosis news apply to those of us with MS?

Do blood flow problems to the brain or Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCVI) apply to all of us, who have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis?

Can we be tested for this particular problem,
to see if this a problem for us, that may be contributing to some degree to our symptoms
of Multiple Sclerosis?

Although there is the possibility that the restricted blood flow problems may contribute to some degree to the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, further studies need to be performed still to determine to what degree this more recent MS discovery actually applies to the majority of the cases of Multiple Sclerosis, which have been diagnosed through out many countries around the world.

First off, it is uncertain as to whether the restricted or reduced blood flow to the brain is present in the majority of the cases of Multiple Sclerosis around the world or if it actually can cause some of the symptoms of MS.

Restricted blood flow to the brain most likely does not apply to all cases of Multiple Sclerosis, although there is the real possibility that this may apply to many cases of MS to some degree.

Ultrasound tests can be done to determine if your particular case of Multiple Sclerosis has
restricted blood flow to and/or from the brain, as an element that may be part of what may be contributing to your symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

The reactions of the medical community around the world appears to be skeptical overall about the most recent Multiple Sclerosis news, but there are more studies popping up in different locations through out the USA, as well as more vascular doctors or surgeons that are at least willing to evaluate MS patients to see if this problem does definitely exist. Other studies may also be appearing in different countries around the world, where Multiple Sclerosis is appearing more often, as a result of the release of the information that Dr. Paolo Zamboni discovered about the MS patients that he has been working with in Ferrara, Italy.

Further Doppler ultrasound tests will need to be performed for the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, for the veins in the upper chest and possibly in the veins of the legs to determine if venous insufficiency, stenosis or blood clots exist in the veins throughout the legs, to see if this may also contribute to blood flow problems in those patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
13 years ago.  Since I have been experiencing episodes of fainting, passing out or losing consciousness off and on over the last 18 months, I discussed being evaluated for restricted blood flow to and from the brain with my doctors, since this may be one possible cause of the episodes of passing out that I have been experiencing periodically.

Although restricted or reduced blood flow to or from the vein can contribute to fainting or passing out, until I am evaluated, it is not for certain whether I do or do not have the problems that Dr. Zamboni described that he found were present in 90% of the 120 MS patients that he evaluated and treated in Ferrara, Italy.

When I first started experiencing episodes of fainting, all kinds of tests were performed to see if it could be determined what may be causing these episodes, with the tests revealing nothing out of the ordinary that could explain what was going on.  After the findings of Dr. Zamboni were announced, I went over the information with my doctors to see if they may explain or at least contribute to the episodes of passing out off and on.

So far, I have been tested for venous insufficiency or blockages to the carotid arteries of the neck, in addition to blood flow problems  in the legs,including possible blood clots, restricted blood flow or stenosis of the veins in the legs.  I am also in the carotid arteries in the neck or upper chest or to see if I have venous insufficiency, blood clots or steno sis of the veins in the legs that may be contributing to the episodes of passing out, as well as contributing to my symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.

So far, I have been tested for the blockages in the carotid arteries of the neck and I was tested for insufficient blood flow, blood clots and stenosis of the veins in the legs, since it was already determined 2 years ago that I have circulation problems in my legs.

The ultrasound test results have verified that I have no blockages, currently for either of the carotid arteries of the neck, but the other test results haven't returned as of yet. 

I still have further testing to be completed, so it is not certain yet as to whether I have the CCVI condition, that appeared to be present in at least 90% of the MS patients that were tested for the MS news that was reported by Dr. Paolo Zamboni of Ferrara, Italy.

In case you are not that familiar with the Multiple Sclerosis news, the news was aired across Canada as a discovery announcement on November 21, 2009.

According to Dr. Paolo Zamboni, a vascular surgeon in Ferrara, Italy, he found that there is venous insufficiency to the brain of MS patients, due to partial blockages in the carotid arteries on the sides of the neck or to the veins in the upper chest, which may be contributing or causing the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. 

This interesting discovery has peaked the curiosity of the medical community around the world.

Dr. Zamboni examined MS patients with Doppler ultrasound and he found that 90% of the patients had narrowing or blockage of the veins that allowed blood flow to and from he brain.  People without MS were also tested and they did not have these blockages of the veins in the neck and upper chest regions.

Through  further testing, Dr. Zamboni determined that the majority of the MS patients had either partial blockages or some other type of restriction to the blood flow to the carotid arteries in the neck or to the veins in the neck or upper chest regions, which reduced blood flow to and from the brain.

Dr. Zamboni thinks that due to the dysfunction of drainage of the veins, the blood reverses back into the brain, where extra iron is deposited.  He called this vein disorder Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency or CCSVI.

To mend these blockages, Dr. Zamboni developed a surgical procedure to improve blood flow into the brain by opening up veins in the neck and the upper chest.  The procedure involved inserting a catheter into each of the affected veins and a small balloon was inflated to  open up the pathway of blood flow to the brain to help to increase the blood flow to the brain.

I myself do not think that this more recent Multiple Sclerosis news applies to all of the cases of Multiple Sclerosis, which have been diagnosed in many countries around the world, but I think it is worth being considered and at least tested for.

Since a procedure has been developed that can help open up the restricted blood flow to the blood vessels that lead to the brain (using a catheter inserted into the affected veins and inflating a small balloon in the blood vessel to open up the restricted veins), it is at least worth being evaluated for these blockages to determine if is something that can help us with helping to reduce the MS symptoms.

Testing is the first step.  If you can find a doctor (or doctors) that can run the needed tests, this is a big step in the right direction.

Since the testing is not a very difficult test to have done, it may be worth considering having the ultrasound testing done. Talk to your doctor about all of this before you decide what is best for you.

Keep in mind, vascular doctors can request the tests for the carotid arteries and possible venous insufficiency, stenosis, blood clots, etc. in the legs, but to have the testing done for the veins in the upper chest, more often than not you have to go to the cardiologist to request these tests. The cardiologist can also test to see if the heart and the heart valves are functioning well or not.

Whatever you decide that is right for your particular case of Multiple Sclerosis, you need to decide what steps to take for you.  For in the end, you make the decisions as to whether to pursue anything further for you, after any newer discoveries are announced concerning treatments and other information about Multiple Sclerosis.