Research Promises New Treatment for MS - There are a lot of new things in Krystal Hexamer's life.
By: Crystal Britt

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Medical breakthroughs on the horizon could soon make life a lot easier for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. Right now about 400,000 Americans have Multiple Sclerosis and more than 750 have MS in southeast Missouri alone. As of now, the cause remains unknown, and there is no cure. But, new research gives people living with the disease a new found hope.

There are a lot of new things in Krystal Hexamer's life. She's a new teacher, loving every minute of her job at Deer Creek Christian Academy in Cape Girardeau. She talks about her students often, and the career that motivates her everyday. But, what you'll rarely hear her speak of is the inner battle she fights. Regular doctors appointments are now quite common for Krystal. It all started last May. "It felt like my arm was asleep for about four days, and I thought it would be too long", said Hexamer. Several tests, and two months later...she found out she has Multiple Sclerosis.

,,,certain things like heat trigger relapses. "I have to stay away from hot water, hot tubs, hot showers. Hair dryers I can't use. My last relapse happened from hot water in one of those mall automatic sinks", said Hexamer.

People with MS only have one way to control the disease...through injections. Krystal dreads the time, three days a week when she has to inject herself with medicine...medicine that won't cure her, but hopefully keeps her from getting sicker. That's where exciting new research comes in.

Doctor Harold Moses, Jr. treats patients like Krystal at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. "I would predict, in five years we'll probably have 4-5 new treatments for MS. Some of those are going to be oral", said Dr. Moses. Krystal says, "To get away from the needles...just having a pill you could take would be great."MORE
By: Crystal Britt