If the vein blockage/narrowing causes an excess of Iron in the brain...Which in turn causes my MS symptoms,,, Then could the increase of MS in women be tied to women taking more iron supplements that men? Just a thought.

I personally have never taken iron supplements. My tummy just cannot handle iron.

I do not take a womens multi-vitamin that has extra iron nor will I take iron supplements, my bowels cannot handle iron. My multi-vitamin is the kind men or women can take so my iron intake would be no more than what it would be for a man.

for many years I have taken the senior vitamins because they have low or no iron in them. Maybe I was doing myself a favor.

I cant wait for more studies to be done.

Marc, thank you for the information you've posted here and elsewhere. I very recently stumbled upon your Wheelchair Kamikaze blog, rather it stumbled across me via a Google MS alert, and I've since subscribed. You are an extremely eloquent writer, among other obvious talents.

Although I am also extremely excited about the potential relevance of CCSVI and MS, I agree that caution and patience are in order to validate Dr. Zamboni's research and claims. It's encouraging that quite a bit of action regarding further study and validation seems to be taking place sooner rather than later. One of these is Dr. Zivadinov's Combined Transcranial and Extracranial Venous Doppler (CTEVD) Evaluation in MS and related Diseases study taking place through the University of Buffalo and Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center. I believe they're seeking 1,100 MSers and 600 non-MSers as a control group for the study, which can be applied for on-line. If selected, all testing procedures are paid for by BNAC, although there is no financial compensation for travel, lodging and related expenses. I did fill out the on-line application, and would gladly pay my way, but was dismayed to read that no Doppler or MRV reports will be given to participants or to their physicians. Yet this is precisely what individual participants will desire to know. For all but local or nearby volunteers, I'm afraid once it becomes clear to traveling participants that they'll get no returns on their expenditure other than perhaps a thank you and the knowledge they've helped move this study along, there will be many who will not follow through if accepted, which could potentially greatly delay the study. I personally would not be able to justify the expense of the trip if this is to be the case. If I've understood this "no results will be given to participants or their physicians" correctly, hopefully they will reconsider this. If anyone has any further information or insights, I'd be eager to know of it. Thanks in advance.

I got the same info about this data collection in Buffalo and I think it's great that doctors are collecting at this point, but I tend to agree with everything you've said about the collection of results and how they're not being given to our own doctors.
I live way far east in Canada, and I did get the email with the stuff to fill out, but declined because of the distance/work scheduling.

thanks for the kind words about my blog.

My understanding of the Buffalo study is that although you will not get a radiologist report on what your imaging results showed, you will be able to get discs of the images themselves. Therefore, you will be able to take them to a local radiologist or neuroradiologist for interpretation. This will give you a head start on getting any stenosis that is found treated, should the theory prove to have validity.

I enjoyed reading your post...Just what I needed to hear..The nuts and bolts... I am hopeful...

More hope going into 2010!

Edit: Blah link won't work!

Basically (excerpt):

December 22, 2009 — As 2009 draws to a close, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has taken stock of some of the research highlights of the year that was and is looking ahead to 2010.

Among its priorities for 2010 is a call for grant proposals to investigate the potential link between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The society has issued an international call for grant applications to look at the CCSVI hypothesis in MS.

I am a true believer in the CCSVI Liberation Treatment. I will have patience, hard to do , until they get all the bugs out of the testing and surgery. I pray it will be soon, PWMS need hope. It keeps us going, IMO

When I went to my Neuro on Tuesday, she saw the file folder I had brought with me on all the info I have accumulated on CCSVI. She knew of it and was very interested. She had other patients bring her info on the same she said.

I gave her more than she knew existed on the treatment. She plans to study it and discuss it with the many doctors at the hospital she is affiliated with. She will gather more info and knowledge she said.

She is all for the procedure, even with the stent issues in veins vs. arteries and their side effects. She said more training and testing will be done. This hypothesis/procedure has been brought up many times in the past with no follow through. Perhaps it will be taken more seriously now she said.

Blockages are not good to have for anyone. Especially total blockage of more than one of five (two internal and two external jugulars and one Azygos in the chest, with back flow). Some have small kinks, but with seepage down to the heart.

Hi Marc