This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

I believe that the malformations develop over time as they are relatively minor in earlly disease and generally become progressively worse in line with the degree of disability. The nature of the venous "malformations" is primarily obstructive rather than severe "reflux" that we see in the lower limbs. The obstructions over time lead to collateralisation which is the body's way of overcoming the vascular obstruction. The collateralization or new pathways results in the reflux that can be observed either with ultrasound or on venography. As the vascular lesions cause obstruction, the main manifestation is reduced blood flow out of the brain. Collateralisation overcomes this to a degree. However, over time there is also a reflex reduction of flow into the brain via the arteries. This has been shown in a number of MRI studies including one from Prof Zamboni. Thia probab;y accounts for symptoms such as fatighue (there are other mechanisms as well) and decreased cognition. At present I am working on a pilot study measuring blood volume flows into the brain and out of the brain before anfd after venoplasty. With only small numbers so far, the results appear exciting (highly significant) and may help explain the immediate benefits that many MS patients achieve after venoplasty.

I have been in contact with Dr David Wheldon (whose protocol I use - with some minor differences) and he is very supportive of my hypothesis. With all my MS patients now, I recommend the combined antibiotic protocol plus venoplasty if ultrasound is suggestive of a treatable stenosis. My impression is that we are achieving better results with the combined approach. In addition diet, Vitamin D are also discussed and recommended where appropriate. Regarding the ultrasound finding relating to a diagnosis of MS, I find them very reliable. We may not see stenoses in the early cases, but usually some minor blood volume flow abnormalities will be detected. With advanced progressive cases, severe BVF abnormalities will be obvious and these will usually be very difficult to treat with some having complete obstruction of an IJV.

Cheer, you are half right, but the fact is that if the stenosis can be cleared without venoplasty, as must have happened with me, that is far preferable.

Most of the people he treats will not have MS but varicose veins and spider veins which need treating.

The only difference I discovered yesterday is that he uses minocycline rather than doxycycline because mino is cheaper in Australia.

For instance, roxithromycin has been available in this country for years - theoretically. It has to be obtained from France, though, so works out rather expensive. So it is easier for most GPs to just say it isn't available. David persuaded Boots the Chemists to get it but not at a discounted price.