Alberta man says he's in medical limbo after receiving MS treatment in Mexico against doctor's advice
CTV
An Edmonton man says seeking medical treatment for multiple sclerosis outside of Canada has cost him follow-up care at home. Daniel Relvas knew he was acting against his neurologist's advice when he applied to Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico, but felt he was running out of precious time.
An Edmonton man says seeking medical treatment for multiple sclerosis outside of Canada has cost him follow-up care at home.
Daniel Relvas knew he was acting against his neurologist's advice when he applied to Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico, but felt he was running out of precious time.
The clinic had made him hopeful he'd be able to run around with his two kids for longer. Its stem cell treatment had a higher success rate than any other option he was eligible for at home, even if it was still undergoing trials to be used more broadly.
"[The neurologist] wouldn't give me a clear answer. She just said, 'Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it,'" he recalled.
But so far as Relvas could tell, he was the ideal candidate: young, not on medication yet, and early into his diagnosis with a lower disability score.
The clinic accepted him quickly. It seemed now or never.
He came back after a month in Mexico skinnier, bald and worn out. However, he quickly felt better. Except he didn't know if he was actually better because his neurologist soon informed him he would need to seek treatment at the MS Centre.
