Tag Archives: Multiple Sclerosis

A CLARE woman living with Multiple Sclerosis has spoken about her “life changing” diagnosis and the challenges she has faced this year ahead of World MS Day 2021. Margaret Lohan Gunning, said, “I have Multiple Sclerosis, MS, for many years. It is a life-changing diagnosis where one must rethink life’s goals and expectations. “The past year has brought added challenges. While I was concerned about contracting Covid, I knew I had to stay physically active. Margaret told the Champion that physical activity is important for people with MS, for their mental, physical and social wellbeing. “My physical activity consisted of short walks outdoors, face to face group physiotherapy classes and yoga. All that changed in March 2020. I was however able to participate in exercise classes online. “Group exercise classes, organised by the MS community worker and led by a physiotherapist, were delivered via zoom.” World MS Day takes place on Sunday, May 30, with the aim of raising awareness …

  A WESTBURY mother-of-one is recovering after receiving vital treatment in Russia that could potentially restore a proper quality of life for her. Sarah McInerney (40) has obtained chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, which is not available in Ireland to treat progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is the transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells, usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood. HSCT involves the intravenous (IV) infusion of autologous or allogeneic stem cells to re-establish hematopoietic function in patients whose bone marrow or immune system is damaged or defective. While Sarah has returned home, the fundraising continues to cover the cost of the treatment and other ancillary costs totalling an estimated €70,000. Sarah and her partner, Jody Kirby, who is originally from Shannon, face the unenviable task of raising this huge sum of money as this treatment is not covered by private health care insurance or the HSE. She doesn’t meet one …

A PARTEEN scientist is leading a new €2.39 million research programme at Queen’s University Belfast to investigate reversing the damage caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr Denise Fitzgerald from the Centre for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s is working with a team of international scientists on the ground-breaking MS research project to develop a new class of treatment for MS, which could restore lost functions in patients and significantly improve their quality of life. The research programme, which is funded by the Wellcome Trust and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), aims to understand how myelin, the insulating layer that surrounds nerves in the central nervous system, can be repaired. Thousands of people in Ireland are affected by MS, with Northern Ireland having the second-highest incidence of MS in the world. Dr Fitzgerald was paralysed by a condition similar to MS when she was 21 but has fully recovered. Dr Fitzgerald, who graduated from UCD, has been in the Queen’s …

THE HSE has been accused of “pulling the carpet from under the feet” of a Doonbeg Multiple Sclerosis (MS) sufferer, following the withdrawal of a free drug. Angela Fitzpatrick has also questioned why the HSE didn’t make the necessary arrangements to pay for an alternative drug before it decided to withdraw the reimbursement of Fampridine from her husband, Nick, under the GMS and other schemes from July 1 next. Nick, who was  diagnosed with MS 12 years ago, at the age of 48, has been taking Fampridine, otherwise known as Famprya, for the last 18 months. “It was a huge shock to us when our pharmacist informed us the drug would be withdrawn and, if we wanted it, we would have to pay between €300 and €500 a month, which isn’t viable for us and other MS sufferers who are on a limited income. “It is scary because his body has got used to this drug now. It would have …

Shannon Airport staff got on their bikes at the weekend to undertake a gruelling 175km charity cycle. The cyclists braved the worst of the May weather, as driving wind and rain throughout the 10-hour cycle added to the challenging circuit. In all, they raised €14,000 for the neonatal unit at the Regional Maternity Hospital, the Samaritans and the Clare branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Ireland. The group set off at 8am from King John’s Castle, Limerick, on Saturday, for a route that took them all the way to the Cliffs of Moher, before concluding at the airport. Speaking after the cycle, Shannon Airport’s operations director, Niall Maloney, said the effort was more than worth it. “It was a tough cycle for all involved, not least a number of people who are new enough to the sport, so they deserve great credit as we had a very tough route and very challenging weather. “We raised around €14,000 for …