A NURSE forced into retirement following a devastating diagnosis is having to raise thousands of pounds for treatment… despite dedicating three decades to the NHS.

Nicola Shergold, 54, of Colchester, was overcome by despair after being told she had Relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis by doctors back in 2017.

Those who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis – a lifelong and debilitating condition - can expect their vision, arm and leg movement, and balance to deteriorate.

Patients with Relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis, meanwhile, experience “defined attacks of neurologic symptoms” which can either disappear or become permanent.

Echo: Debilitating - Nicola Jane, 54, of Colchester, was overcome by despair after being told she had

Since being diagnosed, Nicola, who has lived in Colchester for 21 years having moved from London in 2002, has had to give up her 30-year-long career with the NHS.

The frontline's worker last role was as a specialist community public health nurse in Clacton and Colchester before calling time on the job she loved in 2019.

She now has to battle everything from muscular weakness, spasms and severe lethargy to vision and speech difficulties and problems swallowing on a daily basis.

“MS has severely impacted my life and took away the career that I loved,” said Nicola, who first started nursing in 1987 before training to become a midwife four years later.

“I have frequent relapses that cause a significant decline in my health and physical condition and my mobility is declining rapidly.

“I suffer consistently and now have to rely on carers to help me with personal care and daily needs, which I find really difficult as I have always been very independent.

“Last Christmas I spent three months in hospital after a relapse left me with no power from my waist down. I now need to use a wheelchair most of the time.”

In an attempt to reduce the volume of relapses she has to endure Nicola was prescribed disease modifying drugs but unfortunately they have failed to work.

She was then tried on a drug called Alemtuzumbab but ended up being rushed to Colchester Hospital after suffering another relapse and severe breathing difficulties.

Nicola is now trying to raise £46,000 so she can undergo a private haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Mexico.

The intense chemotherapy treatment would “reset” Nicola’s immune system by removing it all together before regrowing it.

The mum-of-three added: “I do feel let down because it is virtually impossible to get this on the NHS so Mexico is my best option.

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“I desperately need this treatment to prevent further deterioration and give me back some quality of life. I have so much I want to do with my life.

“I don’t know how long it will take or even if it’s possible to raise the funds but if I don’t try then I will never know.

“It’s so embarrassing asking people to donate, however every little bit adds up and if you can help I would be so grateful.”

To donate visit tinyurl.com/bdfhkbww.