cure in the future?

[derby42]

hi there. Just been thinking. Is it a real possibility and when do you people think it might happen? I know the stem cell research is being carried out but do people really think this is going to give us the cure? Im sorry if this seems a silly question, i just want to know what you all really think about this cos im a bit ignorant to it all really.

[happyandy]

Hi Derby,

 

I don't think they will find a cure in my lifetime however I do think they will be able to arrest the decline with new drugs etc.

 

 

There is not a conspiracy or the likes between big pharma and the medical establishment, I just believe we have not yet acquired the necessary knowledge to get to the bottom of a complex condition. Also research bucks tend to go to mirror common diseases such as cancer, MS gets the scraps off the table. Did you ever wonder why so many MS drugs started off as cancer treatments ?

 

Anyone thats relapsed and recovered will tell you that the harmonics of the relapse linger long after you enter the recovery phase and that you never recover 100%. I think thats because although remylenisation occurs, once your nerves are damaged, they stay damaged. The main hope is that using stem cells will allow the nerves to regenerate. Trouble is that stem cell research is in its infancy and will take years for a viable procedure to become available. The chances are that when it does it will be so prohibitively expensive only the seriously rich will be able to afford it.

 

So in the meantime outlandish claims will be made about some miracle cure or whatever and the desperate will pay through the nose in the vain hope of a cure. The only thing that they ever cure is excess money in the bank.

 

If something is to good to be true, it usually is.

 

Miracle cures come along every couple of years or so then fade into obscurity. Its been a while since the last one was here so we are bound to be due another one shortly.

 

 

Andy

Edited 25 Jan 2012, 10:52 pm by happyandy

[angela]

Well said Andy, my thoughts exactly. I just have trouble putting them into words!!

 

Angela

[mustard]

Hi Derby,

I might be pointlessly optimistic but I do genuinely believe a cure, or at least much more pioneering treatments, are close. With the advances in stem cell research coming on great guns, I do believe that some treatment will be available in the next 20years that can reverse the damage as well as halt progression. Whether or not it will be soon enough to make a difference to any of us here now, who knows, but I do believe it will happen.

I was reading today about Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - from what I understand it can stop any further progression but with the great risks involved it is not widely used. I think that if treatments like that can be done even now, and with research ongoing, there is definitely hope for some big developments.

Mustard x

Edited 26 Jan 2012, 12:40 am by mustard

[Scully]

Hello Derby,

 

I'm not truly an optimist, more of a 'cautiously optimistic realist' I guess.

 

However I do have hope. I hope that one day, somewhere, someone will leap from their scientific seat and shout "Eureka !!! ". Alas though, I agree with Andy, in that it's doubtful that it will happen in my lifetime.

 

There may be financial constraints and lack of too much attention to an MS cure is this country, not due to any conspiracy, rather down to MS not being high on the list. Neurology has been in the news lately, accused of failing not only MS patients but Neurology in general.

 

Having said all that. There is more research going on globally, the USA and my birth country in Canada are ploughing all sorts of resources into such research, particularly stem cell, which has been on their proverbial research tables for quite some time, believing that the key is to find out the cause, if you know what's causing it, you're almost home and dry I guess.

 

In the meantime, hope does, and should remains uppermost.

 

Scully

x

[Hezza]

Hi Derby,

I do believe that one day there will be a cure but there's a way to go before it is found. Personally I think stem cells may be where it lies but time will tell.

 

To be honest it isn't something that tend to dwell on. I take a simple view that I trust the medical team assigned to me, along with a few other trusted sources like the MS Trust, and when they have some progress and good news to share with me about a cure or potential new treatment they will. As there is no cure at the moment my priority and where I choose to spend my precious energy is by looking after myself and my family as well as I possibly can and deal with my MS and whatever life throws at me day to day.

 

[derby42]

Aww thanks everyone. Your views are so appreciated. Like everyone im so hopeful. I just feel knocked sideways with this, like my life was just suddenly ripped from me. I didnt get a diagnosis and have some time to consider it. It just happened so suddenly and seems to have hit me so hard. Obviously i have complications with my back but the fact remains that i still cant walk well enough to go out and no one knows for sure why so i have do consider the possibility that i might not get fixed and it terrifies me. My mood fluctuates all the time and ive cried a river these last few months. More recently my marriage has started to suffer too so i suppose i just need to get some hope for the future and for the future of my family. I dont want to be the mummy that never leaves the house.

[PaulX]

Hi Derby,

They need to find the cause first. They can't yet agree on what sort of condition it is. The majority seem to be saying it is autoimmune but there is a compelling argument for it not being. Plus the nutters who say it is aliens or the phase of the moon.

First find the cause and the cure should follow, I'm in agreement with Scully there.

 

If they find the cause today, then I am sorry to say that there is not going to be a publicly available cure in my life time or at least not soon enough to do me any good.

 

I have accepted that and am intent on making the best of a bad job.

 

But if someone wants to poke and prod a PPMS'er to see what happens then I'm up for it.

Paul