AN American boffin has thrown a lifeline to a Larkfield mum after the Tele told of the misery she suffers from a neurological condition.

Nikki MacKenzie’s battle against Trigeminal Neuralgia sees her endure up to 200 ‘electric shocks’ a day.

Nikki, 37, right, had described the severe facial discomfort as a ‘lightning storm of pain’ which she tries to control with a cocktail of powerful painkillers.

Our story about Nikki’s struggle with the condition caught the attention of an expert who spotted it on the internet.

Larry Bernstein, inset, who has studied at the world-famous Harvard and Stanford universities, has helped to produce an anti-inflammatory cream which is used to treat cancer patients.

Now he’s sent a sample of the ointment, called Gallixa, to Nikki, who was left stunned.

She said: “I was so shocked that the story reached that far.

“I am very grateful that he took the time to get in touch. I am delighted to have received the cream and so thankful to Larry for sending it.” Larry, a 58-year-old independent researcher, is based in San Francisco and says that a friend’s mother who has the same problem as Nikki has responded well to the treatment.

He said: “My friend’s mother was suffering from severe facial pain that didn’t respond to any available therapy, and I mixed up a tiny amount of gallium maltolate in a skin cream for her to try.

“To her and my amazement, it relieved her pain in a few minutes, and she continued to use it every day until she passed away nearly six years later at the age of 105.” Larry says the drug has successfully completed early stage clinical trials in the US and Wales, and he is awaiting funding to enter further clinical trials.

Remarkably, Larry’s new link to Greenock was not the first time he has heard of the town.

The scientist explained: “I’d already heard of Greenock because of the mineral Greenockite, first found nearby in Bishopton and named after Lord Greenock.” Larry has asked Nikki to keep him updated on her use of the cream and its results.

She said: “I will be using it over a period of the next few weeks to see if there is any difference.

“I am keeping a diary of pain before I put on the cream, and noting pain levels after it has been applied, then I will send that information to him.”