Robert’s Story
“Seven years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). From the age of 12 I always felt something wasn’t quite right, and I often complained to my parents that I couldn’t run properly.
I remember just prior to my diagnosis, I was at home working in the yard and I started to feel extremely fatigued.
I began to realise this feeling of fatigue was becoming a regular occurrence. So I visited my GP and after explaining these symptoms, I was referred to neurologist Professor Pam McCombe. I was sent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and my test results confirmed that I had developed MS.
At the time, I didn’t really understand what MS was and immediately remarked, ‘so how do we cure it?’ I quickly discovered there was no cure.
My current treatment involves a three hour transfusion every few weeks. Although I still struggle with fatigue, this drug has worked well to halt the progression of my MS symptoms.
A couple of months ago, I was on the ward at The Wesley Hospital having my infusion when Prof McCombe visited. She mentioned there was an MS clinical trial underway at the Wesley Research Institute so I registered for the ENABLE study. I have now taken the clinical trial drug twice alongside my regular infusions and I’m already seeing tremendous benefits. I can run after my niece and nephew and catch up to them, my fatigue levels have decreased, my energy levels have increased, and I can think more clearly at work.
I absolutely recommend clinical trials for people looking at alternatives to help them, particularly when it is an illness like MS with no current cure. The WRI Clinical Trials Centre explains everything so clearly and they are extremely friendly. I believe doing something has got to be better than doing nothing. I feel I am in the position where I need to participate, otherwise I’m not doing my bit for people who will be diagnosed in the future.”
