Elgin man travels to Mexico for treatment in hope of halting MS progression
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A MAN from Elgin has travelled to Mexico for multiple sclerosis treatment in the hope that it will halt the disease's progression.
In January this year, Andrew Mulholland (41) received the devastating diagnosis after exhibiting symptoms of the disease for more than two years.
The game-developer, who co-founded Hunted Cow Studios in 2004, had experienced numbness in his legs before, but it was thought to be a 'one time thing' and that he wouldn't have any more problems with it.
However, in October last year, Andrew woke up with numbness in his fingers. An MRI found lesions on his spine and brain, confirming the presence of MS.
The condition, which affects the brain and nerves, stays with people for life. There is no cure.
Andrew said: "The NHS were going to start me on a drug called Tecfidera. It basically slows the progression of the disease but it doesn't stop it.
"It gives a 50 per cent reduction so instead of an attack every year, I'd maybe have one every two years but at that point my arm might stop working or my leg.
"It affects people in different ways."
After doing some research online, Andrew discovered a treatment known as HSCT or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
The treatment could give Andrew an 80 to 85 per cent chance of completely stopping the progression of the disease.
However, while it is available on the NHS, Andrew does not meet the criteria for the treatment.
"You have to fail one or two of these drugs first before the NHS consider you for it," Andrew said.
"At that point I might be so broken that it just doesn't make sense any more.
"So the idea for this treatment is that I get chemotherapy to basically 'nuke' my immune system and then I get my stem cells back.
"That gets rid of the bad cells in my immune system that are attacking my body. They basically have to break me to fix me."
Andrew travelled to Mexico last month to start the treatment: a decision his neurologist understands but does not fully approve of.
He has since completed four rounds of chemotherapy, had his stem cells returned to his body and has started a period of isolation this week owing to his compromised immune system.
He has also been documenting the treatment on social media to raise awareness.
"What I found really weird was that the NHS didn't tell me about this treatment as an option," Andrew said.
"I understand that their hands are tied, don't get me wrong, but I think people should at least be made aware of this as an option.
"It should be a front line treatment with the NHS. That's my hope because it works. The drugs just slow it down but this can stop it all together.
"If you had a heart attack or had a stroke they'll do everything they can to treat you whereas with MS, for whatever reason, it's not really like that."
The treatment in Mexico is expensive and Andrew acknowledges that he is "fortunate" that he can afford it.
He will have to be 'careful' for one year after it is completed and will have to avoid certain foods for six months. He will also have to get all of his vaccinations again and will have to take tablets twice a day for six months.
But Andrew says that it is worth it to stop the MS progressing.
"There is a risk don't get me wrong," Andrew said. "The mortality rate is something like 0.2 per cent but everyone I have spoken to who has had it said that they wished they had done it sooner.
"I'm fortunate that I can do this. It's not cheap but the longer you leave it, the worse it gets. The treatment is more effective earlier on as well.
"The risk is so low and the potential to stop the disease progressing is totally worth it in my opinion so I really hope it becomes a front line option with the NHS."
