Why not? This govt has spent money on so many other foolish things, at least, if this works, it helps thousands of suffering people. If it doesn't, then at least they tried.
My girlfriends dad got back from Bulgaria last week and was in the final stages of MS. This treatment has already improved his life grealt. He has more feeling in his hands and toes. He can already start to walk better and has less pain in his neck. His vision and speach have also improved.
I personally know four friends suffering from MS and fully endorse SK taking the lead on this research. We need to stop waiting for everyone else to step up and look after our own people now. It would be a bonus if what we did affected the rest of the country as well. Good on you Brad Wall!
I believe this is a good idea, although I'm afraid it's just political posturing. Mr. Wall saying one thing, only to realize it's just hype, is becoming all too familiar. I think he may be using this to bring up his approval rating, which isn't very good.
why not? i can think of several reasons to do it but not one to not do it. it is a win win any way it is looked at. if it works we are heroes and have helped a lot of folks, if not, well at least we took a shot at it. forget about the money and resources, this is bigger than that.
This has been a standard heart disease procedure for years. The only difference here is the disease. No brainer folks. There would seem to be enough evidence supporting its effectiveness.
This is not a drug, it is a procedure. BIG difference.
The only research that is being done does not include actually doing the procedure. How can you study something that you're not doing?
We need to do the procedure and we can use the people that have already had the procedure done to speed up the research. Follow up with those who've had the liberation treatment and include them in the research. We need to make this available to everyone who needs it. If money is an issue, we'll pay. It will still be a lot cheaper than going out of the country!
I have MS. I don't think it is necessary to do a 2 year study on CCSVI. There is no reason MS patients shouldn't be able to get the ultrasound here in the province to determine if they have a blockage. Then we can go from there as to whether further treatment is required.
Each patient that has travelled outside Canada for the liberation treatment should be studied. I'm sure almost all of them have a record with their neurologist of their MS history that could be examined to help determine the benefits of the CCSVI.
The current 2 year study is only examining patients that have been newly diagnosed and are not on any medications yet. It took 12 years before my MS symptoms became significant to affect my daily living, so I don't see that examining newly diagnosed patients is going to be very beneficial.
This is all so frustrating. I sometimes think the MS Clinic doesn't really want to find a cure - maybe because their job security might be threatened. I go to the clinic and was there very recently and sure didn't hear any positive statements or excitement about CCSVI. I did hear negative though.
I do not have the financial ability to travel outside Canada for investigation.
ABSOLUTELY! Lets show the rest of the world our province can be a leader instead of a follower for a change! We have the highest rate per capita.....3700 sufferers is 3700 reasons to do it! Send a letter of support to your MLA and our well spoken premier who stated he is in support!
Yes this would be money well spent. I think there are too many people like the big pharmas, doctors, the ms society, researchers, who may feel that their pocket books will be hurt and so they are holding things back with the excuse that we must be cautious.
I totally agree, I listened to the show today and tried to think of who would be against this. I am sure everyone in this province knows at least 1 person suffering from MS. Then it came to me, just as you think, anyone who may feel their livelihood or careers are at stake would likely be the only ones against it. Sadly too many people care more about how thick their own wallet is other peoples health and well being.
For such a long time, we have had focus of investing in the Farming Industry or Natural Resources in our province.
With the potential of a technology breakthough in science, why not be first in line rather than leaving it for someone else?
Similarly, we would be the first peoples to benefit with the success being in our home province versus expensive travels elsewhere for treatments based on the successful trials!!!
Go for it and keep our province diversity growing.
Yes Saskatchewan should fund it! I'm appalled at/with Fran! I sure hope she nor a loved one comes down with MS. No-one wants MS. Our province has too many sufferer's! This is a simple procedure. Angioplasty is carried out every day in our hospitals. To help Fran and her concerns... this procedure is a lot cheaper than monthly drug costs whether paid by individuals or our province. If it gives many their life back they could again pay taxes Fran. As it stands now... NO. I lost 25% of my wages as a result of MS and disabilitty only covers 75% of my wages. Add to this the fact I do not shop as I did, entertainment is out... etc, etc. If I could get the treatment I figure I'd be much better. As far as wages... Ive just turned 65 so retirement looms. Frans attitude shows an uncaring sort of individual and I hope she never has to deal with MS or her attitude might change once she realizes what happens. We have MSer's existing at places like Wascana rehab hospital. I dare suggest Fran's attitude might end up being a silver bullet to keep costs down. I sure do NOT see her complaining about drug costs and the fact the majority of money never/ever sees the light of day in Saskatchewan.
The proceedure is about as risky as a root canal, only slightly more expensive, and has a one in three chance of improving quality of life while slowing progression, and even perhaps over the long term reversing the disease.
I understand wanting to study this, and clinical trials are the best method, but this treatment could add years to many people's lives, and restore a level of quality to those years. Unless there is a signicant demonstrated risk, get on with it! Sign up 500 participants for the study, and as soon as they get the surgery, open it up to everyone else.
Yes good job Mr. Premier ,about time some real action was taken instead of studies , studies to study the studies etc etc. With all respect to the medical profession some people dont have time to wait for theses "studies" and are willing to take the risk of alternative treatments. What has the MS society come up to help its patients after all these years --not much--and maybe this why they are rejecting a new path--BIG egos and dont "prove us wrong" probably the reason. Doctors never want to be proven wrong, but we all make mistakes so get on with it. So far I have heard only positive reaction to this procedure so why not carry on and give it a try while every one does "their" studies. The drug companies might have a bit of resistance here also, and we know how they influence the doctors.If you dont sell expensive drugs it hurts the bottom line, hmmm is that the problem? Contratulations to Mr Wall to try a different direction, there is nothing lost except some money, and a lot of it has been spent already, so no harm done.
We have nothing to lose as a general poulace, and this topic must be positioned well above partisan politics. Let's try it. We have nothing to lose, and for those who have taken this procedure and reported improvement, it's worth a try. Stop the political debate and try this out. It would be nice to be a leading province again and not a follower. Let's make a positive difference for everyone!
I think it is a big step in the right direction for health care in SK. I was diagnosed with brain cancer 2 years ago and the treatments we have available to us here really have nothing to offer me. I have been watching progress on trials of a laser surgery that sounds very promising but find it very frustrating to watch all the testing and trials that a procedure such as this has to go through before it is considered safe or effective. Why not give the patient the known information and let them decide whether they want to try it or not. I don't know why they always talk about having to see what the side effects are? Guess what the side effects of not doing the operation is death, there aren't any worse side effects than that.
Hats off to Brad Wall for doing this and keep going, lets set a trend in SK. Lets be leaders here!
Comments
better this than a covered stadium
Why not? This govt has spent money on so many other foolish things, at least, if this works, it helps thousands of suffering people. If it doesn't, then at least they tried.
My girlfriends dad got back
My girlfriends dad got back from Bulgaria last week and was in the final stages of MS. This treatment has already improved his life grealt. He has more feeling in his hands and toes. He can already start to walk better and has less pain in his neck. His vision and speach have also improved.
I personally know four
I personally know four friends suffering from MS and fully endorse SK taking the lead on this research. We need to stop waiting for everyone else to step up and look after our own people now. It would be a bonus if what we did affected the rest of the country as well. Good on you Brad Wall!
I believe this is a good
I believe this is a good idea, although I'm afraid it's just political posturing. Mr. Wall saying one thing, only to realize it's just hype, is becoming all too familiar. I think he may be using this to bring up his approval rating, which isn't very good.
why not? i can think of
why not? i can think of several reasons to do it but not one to not do it. it is a win win any way it is looked at. if it works we are heroes and have helped a lot of folks, if not, well at least we took a shot at it. forget about the money and resources, this is bigger than that.
A resounding yes
Yes, yes, yes!
Why has it taken this long to take a serious look at what might potentially be an effective treatment against this crippling disease?
This has been a standard
This has been a standard heart disease procedure for years. The only difference here is the disease. No brainer folks. There would seem to be enough evidence supporting its effectiveness.
This is not a drug, it is a procedure. BIG difference.
Not a big difference
New medical procedures need to be tested just like new drugs and this procedure has not been adequately tested as a treatment for MS patients.
Come on people. We're
Come on people. We're talking about quality of life here. I'd like to hear from the people who are saying no.
Liberation Treatment
The only research that is being done does not include actually doing the procedure. How can you study something that you're not doing?
We need to do the procedure and we can use the people that have already had the procedure done to speed up the research. Follow up with those who've had the liberation treatment and include them in the research. We need to make this available to everyone who needs it. If money is an issue, we'll pay. It will still be a lot cheaper than going out of the country!
CCSVI
I have MS. I don't think it is necessary to do a 2 year study on CCSVI. There is no reason MS patients shouldn't be able to get the ultrasound here in the province to determine if they have a blockage. Then we can go from there as to whether further treatment is required.
Each patient that has travelled outside Canada for the liberation treatment should be studied. I'm sure almost all of them have a record with their neurologist of their MS history that could be examined to help determine the benefits of the CCSVI.
The current 2 year study is only examining patients that have been newly diagnosed and are not on any medications yet. It took 12 years before my MS symptoms became significant to affect my daily living, so I don't see that examining newly diagnosed patients is going to be very beneficial.
This is all so frustrating. I sometimes think the MS Clinic doesn't really want to find a cure - maybe because their job security might be threatened. I go to the clinic and was there very recently and sure didn't hear any positive statements or excitement about CCSVI. I did hear negative though.
I do not have the financial ability to travel outside Canada for investigation.
ABSOLUTELY! Lets show the
ABSOLUTELY! Lets show the rest of the world our province can be a leader instead of a follower for a change! We have the highest rate per capita.....3700 sufferers is 3700 reasons to do it! Send a letter of support to your MLA and our well spoken premier who stated he is in support!
CCSVI
Yes this would be money well spent. I think there are too many people like the big pharmas, doctors, the ms society, researchers, who may feel that their pocket books will be hurt and so they are holding things back with the excuse that we must be cautious.
I totally agree, I listened
I totally agree, I listened to the show today and tried to think of who would be against this. I am sure everyone in this province knows at least 1 person suffering from MS. Then it came to me, just as you think, anyone who may feel their livelihood or careers are at stake would likely be the only ones against it. Sadly too many people care more about how thick their own wallet is other peoples health and well being.
Something different!!!
For such a long time, we have had focus of investing in the Farming Industry or Natural Resources in our province.
With the potential of a technology breakthough in science, why not be first in line rather than leaving it for someone else?
Similarly, we would be the first peoples to benefit with the success being in our home province versus expensive travels elsewhere for treatments based on the successful trials!!!
Go for it and keep our province diversity growing.
ccsvi
Yes Saskatchewan should fund it! I'm appalled at/with Fran! I sure hope she nor a loved one comes down with MS. No-one wants MS. Our province has too many sufferer's! This is a simple procedure. Angioplasty is carried out every day in our hospitals. To help Fran and her concerns... this procedure is a lot cheaper than monthly drug costs whether paid by individuals or our province. If it gives many their life back they could again pay taxes Fran. As it stands now... NO. I lost 25% of my wages as a result of MS and disabilitty only covers 75% of my wages. Add to this the fact I do not shop as I did, entertainment is out... etc, etc. If I could get the treatment I figure I'd be much better. As far as wages... Ive just turned 65 so retirement looms. Frans attitude shows an uncaring sort of individual and I hope she never has to deal with MS or her attitude might change once she realizes what happens. We have MSer's existing at places like Wascana rehab hospital. I dare suggest Fran's attitude might end up being a silver bullet to keep costs down. I sure do NOT see her complaining about drug costs and the fact the majority of money never/ever sees the light of day in Saskatchewan.
The proceedure is about as
The proceedure is about as risky as a root canal, only slightly more expensive, and has a one in three chance of improving quality of life while slowing progression, and even perhaps over the long term reversing the disease.
I understand wanting to study this, and clinical trials are the best method, but this treatment could add years to many people's lives, and restore a level of quality to those years. Unless there is a signicant demonstrated risk, get on with it! Sign up 500 participants for the study, and as soon as they get the surgery, open it up to everyone else.
Study ms
Yes good job Mr. Premier ,about time some real action was taken instead of studies , studies to study the studies etc etc. With all respect to the medical profession some people dont have time to wait for theses "studies" and are willing to take the risk of alternative treatments. What has the MS society come up to help its patients after all these years --not much--and maybe this why they are rejecting a new path--BIG egos and dont "prove us wrong" probably the reason. Doctors never want to be proven wrong, but we all make mistakes so get on with it. So far I have heard only positive reaction to this procedure so why not carry on and give it a try while every one does "their" studies. The drug companies might have a bit of resistance here also, and we know how they influence the doctors.If you dont sell expensive drugs it hurts the bottom line, hmmm is that the problem? Contratulations to Mr Wall to try a different direction, there is nothing lost except some money, and a lot of it has been spent already, so no harm done.
We have nothing to lose as a
We have nothing to lose as a general poulace, and this topic must be positioned well above partisan politics. Let's try it. We have nothing to lose, and for those who have taken this procedure and reported improvement, it's worth a try. Stop the political debate and try this out. It would be nice to be a leading province again and not a follower. Let's make a positive difference for everyone!
I think it is a big step in
I think it is a big step in the right direction for health care in SK. I was diagnosed with brain cancer 2 years ago and the treatments we have available to us here really have nothing to offer me. I have been watching progress on trials of a laser surgery that sounds very promising but find it very frustrating to watch all the testing and trials that a procedure such as this has to go through before it is considered safe or effective. Why not give the patient the known information and let them decide whether they want to try it or not. I don't know why they always talk about having to see what the side effects are? Guess what the side effects of not doing the operation is death, there aren't any worse side effects than that.
Hats off to Brad Wall for doing this and keep going, lets set a trend in SK. Lets be leaders here!
I am all for clinical
I am all for clinical trials, but it should be funded by the Federal Goverment and Major Drug Companies.