Karen Gordon Interviews Dr. Saud Sadiq
Dr. Sadiq
A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing the highly sought-after internationally acknowledged expert in multiple sclerosis, neurologist Dr. Saud Sadiq.
Dr. Sadiq is the director and senior research scientist at the Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York, and has won numerous awards for his research and clinical activities. And I discovered after speaking with him that he’s also a really compassionate and kind man.
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If you’re on my email list you already know about the interview and you had the opportunity to write in with questions you wanted me to ask Dr. Sadiq. I really appreciate all the input I received and did my best to incorporate as many of your questions as I could.
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Dr. Sadiq and I had a really interesting and thought-provoking conversation addressing the major issues facing those with MS today. Here are just a few highlights:
1. Dr. Sadiq’s real thoughts on CCSVI
2. The one common ingredient all patients posses who do really well over time
3. What alternative MS therapies Dr. Sadiq endorses and which he thinks are bogus
4. Why and how he thinks the Disease Modifying Drugs can help you
5. Why Dr. Sadiq is so hopeful for the future of patients with MS
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Enjoy the interview and tell me what you think by commenting on this post.
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And if you like it, please share it with anyone who you think might find it valuable!
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Well thank for doing the interview, but certainly he is very mainstream–the info being pretty much just like what 95% of the neurologists would say and believe.
I don’t feel he is like other MDs. He continues to do research and try new treatments, never giving up hope. His goal is to keep patient’s MS stable, while researching the cause of MS in hopes of finding the cure. The International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice is far from mainstream.
Yes, I agree that he’s pretty mainstream. I wish he had addressed the issue that the so called “disease-modifying” drugs are effective (in the pharmaceutical companies’ own studies) only 30-33% of the time, while placebos (in all of medical research over the many years) are said to be 30-35% effective. These look essentially the same to me, so I believe that the drugs actually work as placebos in those who seem to be helped! Tysabri is apparently more effective, but comes with a LOT more risk.
And of course, he didn’t address treatment for primary progressive, as the mainstream belief is that there is none…
I was told I have RRMS, but have actually never had a relapse, only progression. But I was pushed onto one of the drugs (by an MD who said I should just throw away all my vitamins and such as they are “worthless”), and Rebif only made me worse… So I guess I could be called a Rebif “success,” just because of no relapses, even though it made me worse!?!
I suspect that there are a lot of inaccuracies in the supposed high degree of success he and the mainstream tout, maybe even outright fraud, unfortunately…
Actually, he is one of the only doctors who researched and discovered a treatment for Primary Progressive MS. Dr. Sadiq uses intrathecal methotrexate and published a paper on it in the Journal of Neurology. I attached the link below and he DID mention this in his interview. The pharmaceutical companies don’t care about this discovery or treatment because methotrexate itself is rather inexpensive and not marketable enough. However, Dr. Sadiq doesn’t feel that way and has kept many PPMS patients stable by using it. It’s not fair to assume all doctors are alike . . .
http://msrcny.org/pdfs/Intrathecal%20Methotrexate%20Treatment%20in%20Multiple%20Sclerosis.pdf
thank you everyone for your comments! everyone’s reactions to the interview is, in my opinion, as valuable as the interview itself. i wanted to weigh in with my opinion. i think dr. sadiq differs from some other neurologists in that he is very much oriented toward possibility – his attention is on finding the cure for MS with his research center and as pam mentioned, he is willing to try new things as long as there is scientifically sound evidence of its effectiveness. some may interpret his position as conservative since he will only endorse something that has been proven via the scientific method. but i think it’s important to not assume that this attention on objective proof means he doesn’t want the best for his patients.
dr. sadiq also stresses the importance of a patient’s attitude, which i find to be an extremely important element in someone’s ability to get well or not. i liked his thoughts on this and i think he is a very caring and compassionate man who truly wants the best for his patients. but first and foremost, he is a scientist, and as such he needs to see scientific evidence. i respect this position, even though my personal approach to healing my illness differs from what he would endorse in some ways.
I have given my neuro the results of this trial as they are very impressive. She will not even look into it any further because the results were not obtained in a “clinical trial”. I am allergic to all other MS medication and wanted to try this, but I am told no. Do you have any suggestions for this?
Dr. Sadiq is unlike any neurologist I’ve visited (5 of them, sadly) because he spoke about compassion for the patient, and also the importance of providing encouragement. These have been sorely lacking in my experience. I was all ears, and stuck with the interview even though it was difficult to hear.
This was a terrific interview. Dr. Sadiq makes so much sense by always bringing it back to the science. He also looks holistically at each individual patient and emphasizes POSITIVE ATTITUDE and the desire to fight this disease with all you’ve got. Loved the analogy of an athlete’s determination to win an Olympic Gold medal (not just silver or just making the US team) compared to an MS patient’s determination to beat this MonSter. I have been fortunate to have worked with 2 top MS specialists in my fight against this disease. They both had similar attitudes/approaches. There are great neuros out there…you just have to do your homework and meet with the best!
Where can I find a neurologist like this in Kansas City? I really liked his approach to treatments and the relationships with his patients. Thank you for sharing!
Very interesting, even though it was a little hard to hear. I found it very hopeful that he feels they will know what causes MS within a few years and then they can work towards a cure. I am 59 years old so really do not think I will see that, for those after me. It seems he advocates the MS drug therapy which I take, Rebif, but he also seemed to be saying in a word, attitude, attiude, attitude along with just taking good care of yourself.
My neurologist seems to think I will only have to take the rebif for a few more years, he continually says that in older age, MS seems to burn out…….have you ever heard that?
Thank you for the interview and your time you allotted to give us this information. I sincerely appreciate you efforts.
Teresa
Thanks very much for this Karen, a lot of valuable information indeed. Interesting and good to hear another view of the confusing and confounding facts, myths and ideas on M.S. Know not all drugs are bad but identified with his description of those of us who are anti drugs
and when he said he had patients (like me) who, after 20 years, were doing really with diet, attitude, lifestyle etc. but could have done even better with the treatments available. I did think he could be right….. maybe the bad days over the last 20 years would have been a lot easier with the drugs, and it could be time to let go of my prejudice towards them, but that trust relationship with a doctor who knows you at the soul level which Dr. Sadiq talks about would seem to be very rare. Liked where he was going with the pain issue, shame you ran out of time. Loved his optimism, thanks again Karen, be well, be happy, sue
Good Interview – Dr. Sadiq sounded like a very knowledgeable and caring neurologist. I wish the neurologists at the clinic that I have been seen at in Canada had been more like him. Unfortunately, my experience for the past 15 years is very inconsistent – seeing a different neuro or resident or nurse at every visit with a different assessement of my MS. They rarely read the previous neuro’s comments on my chart. I do hope they make further research into the cause and treatment for MS in the very near future. I still do not understand why in the US why they prescribe immune modifying drugs for secondary progressive MS when there is no scientific proof that it is helpful?? Do you know why? Thanks -
I have only just listened to this interview. I have had MS for a long time since the early ’80s (Melignant melanoma (late diagnosis)in 1987)with a formal diagnosis of MS in 1990 taking a medical retirement from working in 1998 having cut down my work gradually as I found it harder to sustain.I have read and studied and chosen the things I have wanted to use to help my situation OVER THE LAST 30YRS.
Listening to this interview has validated to me my journey coping with MS (and Cancer)I am so glad to be alive to see my kids grow up and to have grandchildren the age my kids were when I had the cancer diagnosis. I learnt a lot from the cancer help centre which I attended at that time and carried those principles through to deal with ongoing MS issues. Many of the mind body theories that are now becoming mainstream were poo pooed at that time especially this side of the Pond! UK. I read Carl Simonton and Bernie Segal (he came and gave a lecture near by which I attended) “You hold your life in your hands don’t drop it” was a sentence from him that resonated with me. Judy Graham has been an MS guru for me I should have shares in Evening Primrose Oil and am SO glad I noted “USE it don’t lose it” ((From her book)She has just published a new edition I expect you know that) with regard to muscle usage as it’s the messages that don’t get through not the muscles which can’t work. I invested in a toning table for the bad times.
Sorry I digress I feel Dr Saud Sadiq was spot on with the Positive Attitude he is of course coming from a drs point of view vested interests and needs to justify are in there somewhere! Self interest is where it’s at for the patient and I have worked hard to try and be the best I can be this is not to be confused with selfishness as the benefits to patient have benefits to those who are connected with that person.
As for plasibo effect frankly if the placibo works then it WORKS hoorah!
I have a B12 shot each week and take a raft of supplements including VitD I have a supportive GP who listens to my thoughts and feelings and will support me in many ways………I have several foods which have a really bad effect on me and many others that exacebate symtoms in not quite such a severe way (when I want to indulge I use Digestive enzymes)
HORMONES definitely! I have been using progest for a long time now and at last I think I am through my Menopause!I am convinced that Hormones have a huge effect on MS the only research I could find years ago was from New Zealand /Austrailia via research papers sourced by the MS Trust in UK who will send info free to interested persons. I exercise as much as I can (walking not great but cycling OK at times and is a passion with me and i let the housework wait! And Yes Stress will exaserbate any condition I have heard it said that MS folks have less relisiance/tolerance in that respect and I agree.
Dear Karen thanks for your email notifiction and getting interviews
spect you know about these UK MS organisations:I have received much help from them over the years
The MS Trust… MSRC… and…..The MS Society……Just google them all in UK With Kindest regards from Jean T
I just found this interview and it was exactly what I needed. I was given Dr.Sadiq’s name by a friend of mine who’s wife was diagnosed 2 years ago. After seeing many neurologists, she just can’t say enough about him and his staff. I was diagnosed in Feb, 2003, and after 2 doctors, I’m ready for a change. I will be making an appointment with him as soon as the holidays are over. Thank you so much. I really have much more confidence in my decision to persue a new doctor.