An Edmonton nurse is hoping controversial new treatment for multiple sclerosis will finally help relieve her symptoms from the debilitating disease.
Christine Engelhardt has been living with MS for 10 years. She says one of her first symptoms was blindness in her left eye.
Engelhardt is now joining other MS sufferers who've chosen to travel out of the country to receive the liberation treatment. The procedure involves the widening of the veins, It is based on research from an Italian doctor who found blocked veins in some MS patients could be reversed by a procedure similar to balloon angioplasty.Several countries are offering the treatment and have reported successful results but it is not available in Canada.
Engelhardt is spending $20,000 to obtain the treatment in Costa Rica. She says she's very disappointed the treatment hasn't been approved in Canada.
The Saskatchewan government has been attracting a lot of attention for its decision to fund clinical trials in that province, set to begin next year.
"Lots of calls to open line shows, lots of letters, lots of emails to the ministry," said Joan Petrie, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan government, describing the amount of attention generated by the province's decision.
But Alberta Health Services recently released an information sheet, warning against liberation therapy.
"Saskatchewan has come to the table and I think Alberta should too, "complained Engelhardt. She says she's not concerned about any potential risks, saying she believes it's routine surgery.
"The Alberta government has also made it very clear that we need a considerable body of evidence before we will consider funding any treatment including the liberation treatment," said John Tuckwell, a spokesperson for Alberta Health and Wellness.
With files from CTV'S Kevin Armstrong.
