| Hi, I recently underwent surgery to treat severely occluded jugular veins in which 3 stents have been placed to keep the blood flowing properly. Since the operation I have noticed improvements in various MS symptoms. The magnetic resonance venography revealed stenoses at C1-2 in both jugular veins. A 4cm x 1cm titanium nickel alloy stent was placed in my right jugular and in the left jugular a 4cm x 1cm and another 2cm x 1cm titanium nickel alloy stent from Abbott labs was inserted via the femoral vein during a 2.5hour operation. The operation was undertaken on fentanyl, a relatively mild local anaesthetic. During the operation I was asked to hold my breath at various different junctures. When the stents were opened it was agony! I was then put on a stronger pain-killer called percocet. Blood thinning meds were also used as until the endothelium grows over the stents fully there is the risk of blood-clotting. I am therefore on warfarin, aspirin and plaxil for the next 6 weeks. My last EDSS according to the National Hospital for Neurology in Queens Square was 6.5. I have noticed an immediate improvement in night spasms when the legs jerk around just before sleep. I also was amazed that during the 12 hour flight back from California I only needed the toilet twice and was able to void relatively easily. Since then I have noticed that bladder urgency has improved. I also have noticed greater flexibility in the right foot and leg which had been badly affected. This is obviously early days but it is EXTREMELY exciting. I am the first UK patient to have had this treatment at Stanford Universtiy, California. Alex Gibbs © Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre |
