A WOMAN from Essex will be the first person to join a new clinical trial for multiple sclerosis.

Annabelle Stigwood, 39, from Great Dunmow, will be trailing the test by the University of Cambridge.

Funded by the MS Society, and carried out by researchers at the university, the trial will test whether metformin, a diabetes drug, and clemastine, an antihistamine, can repair myelin – the protective coating around nerves, which gets damaged in MS.

The researchers hope that together these treatments will be safe and effective at repairing myelin in people living with MS – something that hasn’t yet been shown in a trial – and could provide a way to slow or prevent disability progression in the condition.

Annabelle was diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2011 and lives with daily chronic fatigue.

She said: “Before I was diagnosed with MS, I used to run seven miles, four times a week.

“Now, 11 years on, I can walk only half a mile before my symptoms start. The MS is slowly chipping away at me.

“When I told the neurologist I was deteriorating he said there was nothing more I could do and being told that felt like a bereavement and I couldn’t talk about it for weeks.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to drop my children off at school.

“After that, I became really motivated to do everything I possibly can for my overall health.

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Annabelle read about the clinical trial online, and then didn’t hesitate to apply.

She added: “I was so inspired when I saw the clinical trial and signed up straight away.

“When I heard I was eligible my husband and I celebrated with a glass of champagne.

“I completely understand there’s a 50 per cent chance that I could be on a placebo, but just a few months ago I was told there was nothing I could do – now I’m the first participant on a new trial.

“It’s given me so much hope.”

Dr Clare Walton, head of research at the MS Society, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Annabelle for committing her time and energy to the trial.

“This new research really is a major milestone in our plan to stop MS and we’re excited to get the results.”