Multiple Sclerosis. The open door to hope.

Dedicated to Manolo

Manuel, Manolo to his friends, born in Madrid, Spain, was 19 years old with a desire to live, however, on that day when he was preparing to go work, he felt slightly dizzy, as if he had been drinking without having done so, he had never felt like that before, added to the tingling in his fingers and a perception that he was seeing double, he felt nervous, however thinking that it was temporary he did not mention it to his parents…

He was called at the time to serve his country, as it was years ago in Spain, and there his symptoms were heighten, his physical weakness kept him exhausted but he had to stay strong; it was the military parade, his parents would be there proud of him, their only child and he could not let them down… When it finished, he collapsed.

His long story began there… medical visits… hospitals… good times and bad times… Along the way Manolo found Rina, his true love, they married, had Paula their daughter, and until now, they keep fighting together.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system and approximately 2.500.000 people in the world, with 600.000 in Europe, 49.000 in Spain and 100.000 in the United Kingdom. It is found in young people between the ages of 20 and 30, most frequently in women and with outbreaks of a shorter or longer duration…

The most common symptoms are:

• Numbness and loss of feeling in hands, feet, back, etc.
• Muscle Spasms.
• Difficulty walking.
• Double vision.
• Depression.
• Difficulty Speaking.
• Etc. 

An MRI Scan is the primary test to complete a diagnostic, and in terms of treatment, there is none currently available to cure this illness but there are some available that treat its symptoms and prevent relapses… But there is hope:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in USA, has granted the status of Breakthrough Therapy Designation to the drug Ocrelizumab, which acts by progressively slowing the illness.

It will be launched shortly and according to professor Alan Thompson, chair of the International Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Alliance, it will be an important milestone and a step forward towards treating the disease.

On the other hand, studies conducted by the university of Queen Mary in London and the Barts Health NHS Trust in United Kingdom, and published by the journal, ‘Multiple Sclerosis’ are geared towards discovering how external factors can affect people that are already genetically predisposed to it.

These studies conducted in the East of London, have been able to prove that people from different ethnicities have developed Multiple Sclerosis in London more than natives that reside in their countries of origin. These studies have opened a new field of research and will aid in the prevention of this illness.

And to Manolo, a special dedication.

Keep being strong and smile like you always do, you possess the greatest gift possible, the love of life and most importantly, a family that loves you. Never forget what I told you, science is there, and one day you will not only walk… you will run!!

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus