On July 22nd, 2010 I began speeches at various MS seminars across Iowa on behalf of BIOGEN, the drug company that distributes Tysabri. The first speech was in Cedar Falls and I have speeches scheduled for Storm Lake, West Des Moines and Bettendorf. Thanks!

Caution is the keyword when talking about CCSVI. Thos with MS (including me) are always waiting for the "cure."

Here is a new site for MS resources: ReallyNews.com

Is the possible "cure" for MS media hype?

My thought? Hmmm (I am not really sure).

MS patients hope for 'liberation'

Study could hold key to MS treatment

The holy grail? An Italian researcher, and vascular surgeon, says he may have found the cure for multiple sclerosis. Doctor Zamboni says blocked veins are responsible for backing up iron in the brains of people with MS.

A simple surgery on veins in the neck or chest called the Liberation Procedure appears to "cure" MS. You can see a news report of CCSVI here. 

Doctor Zamboni's official website here.

A story in the Omaha Examiner can be seen here.

Dr. Paolo Zamboni works at his research lab at the University of Ferrara in Italy.

Here is the link to Dr Zamboni's research paper.

I generally DON'T visit any government-sponsored website for medical information. I go to the experts at places like Mayo Clinic.

You can find links here on the This is MS site.

I have posted nearly 100 videos about MS and Tysabri on my YouTube page. The most recent ones about CCSVI can be found there as well.

This is my video on my thoughts about CCSVI.

A friend (Irishbear76) on YouTube put up two informative videos on CCSVI. View the first one here.

Mark's second video can be seen here.

Doctor Zamboni has a YouTube channel as well and he explains CCSVI in a video here.

One test for MS patients that is routinely given is the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale). Before I started taking Tysabri in November of 2006, I had an EDSS score of 6.5. Now, I have an EDSS of 2.5

My thoughts on CCSVI run concurrent with Mark's (Irishbear76). I do see this as--very likely--to be a cure for MS and is probably the most exciting discovery in medicine since the development of insulin for diabetes. While more studies are being done on Dr Zamboni's research, I am not stopping my current therapy with Tysabri.

The MS community on YouTube is growing and getting bigger all the time. Here are just a few of the faces.

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI)

This is the multiple sclerosis resource center in the UK.

MS Society calls for research into experimental therapy

CCSVI on Facebook;

The blood blockage theory is being tested in the US.

Of course, there are naysayers out there and this one calls Dr Zamboni's research and findings a "myth." I post it on my site to show both sides as much as I can. Although I do think the writer is A) very poor and B) is working only to dash the hopes of those who suffer from MS.

Here is another one of those naysayers.

Cautious Optimism in Response to ‘Cure’ For Multiple Sclerosis

The Blogosphere is literally buzzing with talk about this new approach to MS. Here is a link to many stories about Zamboni and CCSVI.

The most recent news about Tysabri centers around the increased number of people who have contracted PML while taking Tysabri (24).

I do have some thoughts about the situation here in one of my YouTube videos. I am mildly concerned about the PML cases but am not planning on stopping the drug (I have been on it for nearly 4 years).

There are also studies underway to determine if being on the drug longer than 2 years increases a persons risk for the disease.

I guess I am a Guinea Pig because only about 1,500 people worldwide have been on the drug for more than 24 months and very little data on taking Tysabri for more than 3 years. Honestly, I am, somewhat, concerned, but am a believer in Tysabri because I CAN WALK! That, to me, is HUGE.

You can always watch my latest Tysabri Recovery Series videos on my YouTube page.

My Neurologist is Doctor Bruce Hughes at the Ruan/Mercy MS Center in Des Moines.