Parkinson's patients lives changed after new medication
Paula can now walk 20,000 steps, an incredible feat for someone who struggled to walk after living with Parkinson’s disease for more than three decades. This is Paula before going on the new medication housebound for probably the last five years I’d say. And honestly, I just didn’t think there was anything in my future. The 53 year old’s transformation since going on a trial of a drug called Vialeve has been life changing. The tremors are gone and she can do things now she never thought possible. With advanced disease. It’s given me back the quality of my life. Paula was part of a trial of this 24 hour infusion of medication, a special formulation of levodopa. Patients like to wear it in a pouch or in a small case either around their waist. It helps restore dopamine in the brain to reduce unpredictable changes in movement. Despite the best oral therapy, I’m subcutaneously, but over is a major advance. We have people that are maintaining farms, cattle, and they’ve been able to continue doing this because of the stable and predictable response to medication. Experts say about 50% of patients respond as brilliantly as Paula. Well, the medication is now registered for use in Australia. It’s not yet readily available. It’s currently being considered for PBS listing in Canada. The annual cost is $62,000. I think the best thing is to speak to their neurologist or their Parkinson’s nurse specialist. This has given me another chance for life and I want to give back now to Gabriella Rogers 9 News.