Goat Serum

[Guest guest]

Serum hope for MS

nu Eve-Ann Prentice

A new drug based on goat serum is being tested on patients with

multiple sclerosis, with promising results

EARLIER THIS year, Bovingdon had become too ill to play ball

with his three-year-old son; his limbs were stiffening, he was

plagued by fatigue and the worsening of his symptoms was beginning

to depress him.

However now, to his amazement, the 41-year-old farmer from Windsor

is able to throw and catch a ball, even to play rounders, and has

been able to stay up later than his usual 9pm bedtime.

He is one of hundreds of multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers who this

year began regular injections of a new drug based on goat serum.

Many of them have reported startling improvements in their

condition. While the drug's manufacturers are reluctant to make any

claims until clinical trials are complete, anecdotal evidence

suggests that it not only eases symptoms, but may reverse damage

wreaked by the disease.

Dozens of examples of huge improvements have been reported by

patients and doctors. Among those claiming near-miraculous results

is Alan Osmond, of the 1970s pop group the Osmond Brothers, who

travelled from his home in the US to the UK to gain access to the

serum.

The treatment has raised interest among those with MS and their

families. Thousands of sufferers not chosen to take part in the

trials are clamouring for a chance to take the drug. The only side-

effect reported has been occasional reddening of the skin at the

injection site, and even this appears to happen only in the initial

stages of treatment.

This month the results of tests carried out on six patients at the

Wellington Hospital in North London have added to the excitement. In

the observational study, sight problems, common in MS sufferers,

were found to improve soon after treatment. As a study report

says: " Within an hour of the injection, there was significant

improvement in colour vision, and comparison of pre-treatment and

follow-up data also showed significant benefit. "

The drug, Aimspro, manufactured by the UK-based Daval International,

is made from the purified serum (the liquid part of blood) taken

from specially vaccinated goats bred in America.

It is reported to work for up to 85 per cent of patients, says Judy

Graham, an MS sufferer who edits a specialist magazine, New

Pathways, for the MS Resource Centre. " This means that they improve,

from slightly to dramatically; it may also prevent or delay the

progression of the disease. No one knows why it works for some

people more than others. "

Alan Osmond, 55, had MS diagnosed years ago and suffered numbness on

his right side, sluggish eyesight and bladder and bowel problems.

After the first treatment he noticed a dramatic improvement. " Right

away I had more strength in my right side, " he tells New

Pathways. " Before the treatment you could easily have pushed my hand

down. But after the treatment, you couldn't. Almost immediately I

could walk faster, better, quicker. And at dinner that night I could

cut the steak myself — something I haven't been able to do for

around five years. My bladder improved and my mind felt fresher. "

Over the next 48 hours he continued to feel better. " I went with my

wife to a mall and was able to walk all the way round — before I had

to get round in one of those electric carts. Also, I used to wear a

leg brace because of foot drop and my knees used to buckle under me.

Now I don't need the leg brace. "

Dr Youl, consultant neurophysiologist at the Royal Free and

National hospitals in London, is enthusiastic about the serum (he

took part in the eyesight tests at the Wellington). " It seems to

turn a switch and restore a level of conduction in damaged fibres, "

he says. " The MS world is littered with failed promises, but this

looks promising indeed. Patients are showing signs of recovery in

front of your eyes. I must emphasise that only with controlled

trials can we say if it is of real long-term benefit. "

n Thanisch, 43, who took part in the Wellington study, has been

taking the serum for about three months. " I noticed an immediate

effect — within three weeks my fatigue levels were improving and I

no longer have to hang on to things while moving around. I really

think they have cracked it with this drug. "

Thanisch, an unmarried layout designer from Walton-on-Thames,

Surrey, adds: " My clarity of thought has improved and I can keep

going through the day without hitting what I call the drop-out zone

in the afternoon. "

Dr Ian Brooman, meanwhile, a GP who has also been administering the

serum to a small number of patients on an " informed consent basis " ,

says: " It seems to have a very beneficial effect with no real side-

effects. "

Not everyone sees a dramatic improvement. Although Judy Graham is

impressed by the many success stories she has uncovered, she cannot

see that the drug has made any difference to her symptoms, although

is less tired and can get more done in a day.

The MS Society says that it is awaiting the results of the trials,

which are not expected until next year, before giving its verdict. A

spokesman, on, says: " There are substantial anecdotal

reports of people receiving benefits. "

Daval International, meanwhile, has made Aimspro available to 150

people through their doctors on an " informed consent " basis, and 40

people are taking part in the main trial into the drug at the

Atkinson Morley Wing of St 's Hospital Medical School in

Tooting, South London (the consultant in charge of the trial is Dr

, a leading neurologist in the field of multiple

sclerosis).

Back on his farm, Bovingdon is euphoric. His wife, ,

says that he has improved " in many ways. More than anything, his

mood has improved. He could be quite sour but now he is laughing

again " .

[Guest guest]

I'm keeping up to date on all the Goat Serum news too. They have had

good articles in New Pathways magazine the last while....but I wonder

whether most people realise Goats serum is another treatment that

sounds to me like it's doomed for failure. It works similar to

interferon in the fact that after a while goat serum antibodies will

cause an immune response that will inactivate the antibodies injected

and hence it won't be effective. Just like what happens with

interferon.

Many people are involved in trials in the UK but it will be

interesting to see how the goats serum has fully worked on them in a

few years time if at that stage they are still on it.

Sorry If I sound negative but I think we have enough of these sort of

drugs already and that more attention shoul dbe given to LDN and also

to Diet which doctors contine to ignore most of the time.

[Guest guest]

I agree the common denominator in M.S. is diet and the evidence is almost to great to ignore, gotta give my body more good building blocks yet!

Reg.

-------Original Message-------

From: low dose naltrexone

Date: 07/05/04 09:14:20

low dose naltrexone

Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Re: Goat Serum

I'm keeping up to date on all the Goat Serum news too. They have had good articles in New Pathways magazine the last while....but I wonder whether most people realise Goats serum is another treatment that sounds to me like it's doomed for failure. It works similar to interferon in the fact that after a while goat serum antibodies will cause an immune response that will inactivate the antibodies injected and hence it won't be effective. Just like what happens with interferon. Many people are involved in trials in the UK but it will be interesting to see how the goats serum has fully worked on them in a few years time if at that stage they are still on it.Sorry If I sound negative but I think we have enough of these sort of drugs already and that more attention shoul dbe given to LDN and also to Diet which doctors contine to ignore most of the time.

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[Guest guest]

Could someone please send me the into on "Aimspro?"

Thank you,

in Phoenix, Arizona

P. O. Box 60834

Phoenix, AZ 85082