You get diagnosed with a degenerative disease for which there is no cure, you get prescribed drugs which might mask the symptoms but won’t slow the progress of the disease, and then you get told those drugs could turn you into a compulsive gambler or a sex fiend - welcome to Parkinson’s.
We also discussed the striking absence of litigation about the side-effects of the drugs. It was suggested that there had been many “class actions” (one of those expressions so beloved of non-lawyers but known here rather more prosaically as group litigation). But researches revealed no such litigation here or even in the land of mad litigation, the USA. We concluded that, unlike the opioid scandal, the manufacturers and clinicians had at all times been completely transparent about the risks and that we have taken, and continue to take, the drugs with our eyes wide open.
I’m presuming there are countless PD support groups and chat rooms on FB and other channels? This must be a source of information and discussion about symptoms? I think the idea of dedicated PD nurses and maybe even a crisis hotline would be really useful. I’m guessing this would have to be run as a charity as I can’t see the NHS having resources to set it up and run it, or get it up and running in a short time frame. I’m not a PD sufferer but I have friends who are and my Pa had PD symptoms towards the end of his life, so I’m very aware of it and like to be informed. For a non PD sufferer your podcasts are a huge source of inspiration on so many levels, thank you.
We also discussed the striking absence of litigation about the side-effects of the drugs. It was suggested that there had been many “class actions” (one of those expressions so beloved of non-lawyers but known here rather more prosaically as group litigation). But researches revealed no such litigation here or even in the land of mad litigation, the USA. We concluded that, unlike the opioid scandal, the manufacturers and clinicians had at all times been completely transparent about the risks and that we have taken, and continue to take, the drugs with our eyes wide open.
Another great and informative podcast. Constipation -A Side effect of drugs or PD?
I’m presuming there are countless PD support groups and chat rooms on FB and other channels? This must be a source of information and discussion about symptoms? I think the idea of dedicated PD nurses and maybe even a crisis hotline would be really useful. I’m guessing this would have to be run as a charity as I can’t see the NHS having resources to set it up and run it, or get it up and running in a short time frame. I’m not a PD sufferer but I have friends who are and my Pa had PD symptoms towards the end of his life, so I’m very aware of it and like to be informed. For a non PD sufferer your podcasts are a huge source of inspiration on so many levels, thank you.