A husband has “bounced back” after undergoing life threatening Multiple Sclerosis treatment in Mexico.

Scott McPhillimy has returned from the Clinica Ruiz in Puebla where he had a brutal Stem Cell Therapy procedure in the hopes to draw a line under his MS.

The 34-year-old, from East Kilbride, had forked out £45,000 for the treatment which would 'reset' his immune system to stop it from attacking his body.

This made Scott very vulnerable to viruses and infections while his body recovered which could become extremely serious.

Now he is back at home and has spoken to the Glasgow Times about how he is glad he “took the gamble”.

Glasgow Times:

Scott said: “I don’t want to count my chickens just yet but it seems that I have bounced back quickly.

“It is a very serious procedure which could potentially be life-threatening, it is a gamble but I think I did the right thing.

“You can get an infection since your immune system is wiped, even something like food poisoning could become extremely serious.

“I am having some issues with concentration but that’s all normal after the treatment.

“The damage is done in a lot of areas but I hope this draws a line under my MS and stops it from getting any worse.

“Time will tell how successful the treatment was, that is the million-dollar question really. It is now just a waiting game.”

Glasgow Times:

We previously reported how Scott was inspired to undergo the expensive and risky treatment all to make sure his wife Suzanne McPhillimy didn’t end up in care.

It comes after the 34-year-old sadly suffered a sudden severe brain aneurysm during lockdown at their home, leaving her disabled and relying on around-the-clock support.

Scott is determined to care for his wife himself but fears his MS could prevent this in the future as the condition can trigger problems with vision, limb movement, sensation, and balance.

Glasgow Times:

Scott said: “Coming home and seeing her smile light up when I walked in the door was a great moment.

“My treatment was never risk free and I went in with my eyes open, time will tell for sure if it was the right thing to do.

“If Suzanne had been well or if I knew my medication would always work then I wouldn't have gone for it.

“Her improvement is so gradual I don’t always notice it but since being away I feel like she has come along, I see a difference in her.

“I am happy to be home now and am looking forward to spending Christmas with Suzanne, after nearly losing her every Christmas with her is even more special.”

The haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a complex procedure that aims to stop the damage MS causes by wiping out and regrowing the immune system, using stem cells.

Scott underwent the treatment in September after scans revealed lesions on his spine along with a hole in his brain.

He is unsure how long they have been in his body since being diagnosed at 26-years-old, but hopes his treatment will stop them progressing.

It is not offered in Scotland on the NHS but a new trial, STAR-MS, will recruit six people in the country to receive HSCT.

 

 

Scott said: “Researchers are doing a nationwide trial in the UK comparing what I went through with the highest ethical drugs for MS.

“This treatment might not be right for everyone, but they should at least have the option of receiving it if they want it.

“I would like to see the option of treatment on the NHS one day.

“I feel really fortunate about how my recovery has been so far, I know it isn’t the case for everyone so I’m lucky.”