‘Pill has been a big change – I have had no relapses’

Mrs MacRae, 35, a former education manager with Apple, began showing signs of MS six years ago.

A keen snowboarder and fan of adventure holidays, Mrs MacRae from Uphall, West Lothian, described the diagnosis as “devastating”. She had to give up work 18 months ago.

“Before going on the trial, I had injections which Duncan, my husband, had to do once a week because I’m a bit needle phobic. They were on the bottom or thigh and had to be rotated because they were intermuscular, meaning they went deep down into the muscle.

“But the side-effects from the Avonex drug in the syringe meant that I had only six days to my week. For one day I’d have side effects like flu, was feeling extremely tired, was aching and had no appetite.” In October 2010, when Mrs MacRae was attending the Western General hospital in Edinburgh following a relapse, her neurologist said: “I’ve got this trial starting in January would you be interested?”

“I just jumped at the chance,” Mrs MacRae said.

“It has been a big change. There are no injections, just a tablet every day and I’ve had no side effects. I’ve also had no relapses, prior to taking Fingolimod I was relapsing two to three times a year.”

SHÂN ROSS