This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Thank you for that info. It does alleviate my fears to some degree. I did say "jugular veins" in the conversation to her, but she did not read any of the papers so was just going by what I was telling her. She may have envisioned it being more intrusive than it is, though I do know that it is a risky surgery, as all are. She was going to look it all up so I'm sure she is learning more. It was when I told her that they test you in the morning, consult with you in the evening and then they do the (and I started to say "minor" before I caught myself) procedure the next day. I saw her head lift from her notes and her eyes widen, so I asked "well, maybe it's not so minor, maybe you'd know better than I would." She then said that anytime your having cardiac surgery of the arteries, there's a risk of stroke. So yeah, she did misunderstand what was involved.

I spoke with my alternative MD and he said the stent operations are done all the time on cardiac patients with amazing success. He said he didn't know of a natural way to unblock veins and he encouraged me to have the operation. I often wonder if those who cured themselves of MS by diet
actually had Lymes or heavey metal poisoning. I understand there is a risk but there is a risk with traditional MS meds - PML and liver damage plus they don't stop MS. I am soooo tired of living this way I will take the risk. We all have to go sometimes and though I would prefer to side step death, living like this is barely living at all. My toes and fingers are crossed for myself and all of us.

Shannon, Go to MELISA.org...there is a wealth of information about metal allergies and about metal allergies and MS...and there are case studies of people who have gotten heart stents and had metal allergies that they did not even know they had! Their stories are heartbreaking...please, check out that site!

If you can't wear cheap jewelry, then you probably DO have a nickel allergy! I'm getting the MELISA test as soon as I can get it scheduled, so I can take it to Dake...it takes 10 days to process and I've already had my consu;ltation with Dr. Dake, so I have to get my referral from my PCP to get my HMO to pay for it...I have Kaiser...what kind of HMO do you have?

Lisa aka CNClear

I will check out that site! Sounds really dangerous. I may have to try and get that test done, too, or buy some really cheap and cheesy jewelry and wear it until I go!

I have Blue Care Network of Southeastern Michigan. Everything I do has to be in state unless it is an emergency and I am already out-of-state on vacation, or something like that. I do not have a whole lot of hope for this reason, BUT I figure that if they are paying $18,000/yr. on Copaxone and even more when you factor in meds I take for MS symptoms, etc. maybe they can be convinced? I am counting on Alex and her experience with this to help me. I asked her if they have had others treated who had my insurance and she said that there have been HMO's, but they had not treated anyone yet on my plan.

I am so praying that we both get through this and have the procedure done. With MS, it feels like time is of the essence, don't you think? I had my worst flare-up ever about one month ago and I am so worried about lasting damage from it.

Is Dr. Dake taking everyone that wants it, or has anybody been excluded?

I'm anxiously waiting my call!

As far as I know, he has to review your MRI and insurance policy. As I understanded it, whether he does the operation depends on your MRV results. I don't know if he accepts everyone or not.

I found this the melisa.org website to be confusing. I know you have to send the blood to their specific laboratory (looks like there is only 1 in Wisconsin)-- but where are the instructions to do this? Do you just give the address to your doctor and ask them to request a nickel allergy test?