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MS-HOPE

Shye, just a thought. (I'm not a medical person and lack the depth of knowledge of others in this forum.) The most immediate effects of CCSVI treatment often include diminished fatigue, and of course correcting the stenoses eliminates blood reflux into the brain and/or spinal cord. I'm wondering if perhaps decreasing the VOLUME of circulating blood might serve to reduce the reflux, and thus reduce fatigue. Thoughts, anyone?

Interesting thought--my hematocrit (volume of red blood cells in the RBC portion of the blood) decreased after the phlebotomy--(to below the reference range, ie anemia range)--so with losing a pint of blood, total volume of blood of course did decrease--but would that indeed decrease the reflux? I'm hazy on this reflux stuff--would volume equal pressure, so less volume, less pressure?? I somehow think it equalizes out immediately, but definitely not sure of this dynamic. Help anyone!?!

(but even if your supposition is correct, how exactly does this mechanism affect the fatigue?)

Shye, My RBC and HCT went UP slightly after the first phleb.

HCT .469
RBC 4.90
Hb 154

Will get them checked again prior to my next phleb due late August.

Bethr-
how soon after the phlebotomy did you get your blood tested?
(you use different figures than we do here in the states).
Immediately after, they should be decreased. Varies on how quickly they then regenerate after that.

That was about three-four weeks on. I don't think there would be much value to testing straight after, as your body needs to normalise. That takes around 30-60 days from memory.

The volume takes 24-48 hours to stabilise so long as you drink plenty of fluids before and after and eat well.

shye wrote:Daisy-
it is up to the officials of the blood donation organizations to decide what consitutes a threat as far as blood donations are concerned--not for us as laypersons to make that call.
And they largest organization, the American Red Cross, has ruled MS is not an exculsionary disease.

Still makes me uncomfortable though.
Everyone is still in the process of learning about this disease. So taking blood from people who suffer from it does not really sound like an idea that I would be happy with.
It's interesting to learn that red American red Cross has not ruled MS as an exclusionary disease..going to find out the rules in the UK.

If you cant donate; just drain a quarter of liter down the toilet... You've got your phlebotomy...

If you cant do it yourself; ask a nurse/friend/cousin/whatever.