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There is new research out that raises hope for individuals stricken with multiple sclerosis. The study, which examines the effectiveness of IVIG on treatment of MS patients, shows that a drug treatment can slow the development of symptoms and the damage the disease does to the brain.
“One morning I woke up and I had numbness on the side of my face. Because I have been a health spa instructor, I scuba dive, I ski, I learned how to ride motorcycle, and I’ve always been physically active. So I never expected that this disease would affect me the way it has.” Janine Van Hoorn was shocked to learn she had multiple sclerosis, or MS. It’s a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The immune system incorrectly attacks the person's healthy brain, spinal cord, and eye tissue.
MS is a condition that affects mostly people between the ages of 20 and 50, in the prime of their lives. While it’s not fatal, it can significantly affect a person’s quality of life.
The problem is due to the destruction of myelin, the material that covers and insulates nerve cells, and allows signals to travel from cell to cell. Without it, nerve signals travel slowly.
But the drug, IVIG, or immunoglobulins, can help, according to the latest research in the archives of neurology. Immoglobulins are blood proteins pooled from multiple donors. They’ve been used for treating a variety of viral illnesses and more recently diseases of the body’s immune system.
“There have been a few studies, mainly in Europe, on using IVIG as a primary treatment for people with relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,” says Dr. Joseph Willner, Chief of Neurology at Engelwood Hospital.
This study shows that timely use of IVIG in MS patients, just after the first attack, can affect the person’s future health. The researchers found that the probability of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis was significantly lower in the IVIG treated group, compared with patients in the placebo group. Patients in the IVIG group also had fewer brain lesions as seen on MRIs.
“MS is no longer an untreatable disease. There are a lot of people with MS who avoid getting treated when there are many safe and effective treatments. Now we have another one that looks like it’s safe and effective, and that’s IVIG,” states Dr. Willner.
IVIG has helped slow Janine’s symptoms. “If my leg muscles are very stiff or I’m experiencing a foot drop, once I’m put on an IVIG or a steroid treatment, within a matter of two weeks it dissipates” states Janine.
Twice as many women as men get MS, and this treatment can be used during pregnancy, when none of the other treatments for MS can be used, so IVG could significantly help this group of MS patients.
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