A Dundee woman has become the first person in Tayside to be given a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease which aims to alleviate symptoms for longer periods of time.
Forty three-year-old Clare Murray from Broughty Ferry is receiving the new medication, which is delivered through a syringe connected to a small pump.
This means she gets a steady dose of Parkinson’s medication 24 hours a day to help manage her symptoms, day and night.
Despite only taking the drug for a short time, she has already noticed the benefits, saying: “This medication is a game changer, it’s helping me to be consistently at my best.
“Before, I would take my oral medication 7-8 times a day, and it could take up to half an hour to kick in. I would have to wait for it to start working before getting dressed or even sending an email at work.
“Now, I have a full day to do things instead of relying on small windows of time.
“When I first got fitted with the pump I spent the day playing music. I play the saxophone, recorder and piano and it was the first thing I did. It truly is life changing.”
Parkinson’s nurse specialist, Emily Tenbruck, added: “Instead of being taken orally, this approach avoids the peaks and troughs typically associated with tablets.
“People with Parkinson’s often need to take medication several times a day because it works for a period of time and then wears off.
“The pump helps the medication to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, which can provide a faster, more-consistent effect.
“This drug will help patients get their independence back. The pump has three different settings allowing them to control how much of the medication they take. There is also 24-hour support available, so they can reach out if they have any problems.”
And consultant neurologist, Dr Esther Sammler, said, “I am delighted that we are now able to offer this treatment as part of routine NHS care in Tayside.
“For carefully-selected patients, this continuous delivery of medication can make a real difference in managing motor fluctuations and improve quality of life.”