Anne Downing, president, Malta Parkinson's, Disease Association', Żebbuġ
'Miracle' lady did not have Parkinson's Disease
Although pleased that Judith Ann Norton believes she has found the solution to her condition in gardening and is now well (Lady Living a Miracle, Weekender, September 20) I venture to say that she did not have Parkinson's Disease and certainly did not "collapse with Parkinson's Disease". Yes, I have known people with Parkinson's who find their symptoms disappear when they are engrossed in a particular hobby but as soon as they stop the symptoms return.
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological condition and the symptoms only start to appear after the loss of about 80 per cent of dopamine producing cells. It is these cells which allow messages to be sent to the part of the brain which co-ordinates all movement. Therefore, with the loss of dopamine that part of the brain is unable to function normally. At present the reason for the loss of dopamine is unknown and there is no cure but the condition is helped by the use of various drugs and sometimes surgery. Research continues to find a cure.
It is to be regretted that an article such as this sends out the wrong message trivialising the effects both of people living with Parkinson's and also ME which in both cases can have the most devastating effect on daily life, not just for the person living with these conditions, but for all their family and friends. Not for the odd day or two but for the remainder of life.
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philip pace
Sep 29th 2008, 11:33
Dear Mrs Downing,
I agree with drug that can help the patient such as Madopar and previously by now banned (I believe) Semamet (?) but I don't agree with surgery.
You see I had my father and my older brother who had Parkinson.
My father used to have Semamet (excuse me if I am getting the name wrong) and my brother =Madopar.
I read a lot about it and I could never find that surgery helps.
It used to help -but it is not clear- when open surgery was performed on the brain and drops of Belladonna used to be applied on the left side of the brain (levo dopa) But that was in remote and late 1800s and even perhaps in the early 1900s. But that is very discussable.
But just as you wrote there is no absolute cure for it.
A well known and respected professor here in Malta could not identify that my father had Parkinson. It was myself that I pointed the error of his 'EXPERT' judgement.
Not much information is available about this wretched and distructive malaise as people confuse the shaking of the hand (palsy) with Parkinson.
Can your association help?
Thank you