New Parkinson'sPatient Information Pack

national | health / disability issues | press release Saturday April 29, 2006 23:16 by Ann K - Parkinson's Association 1 800 359 359

New infopack available for all patients in their pharmacies May 1-2 - FREE

From Monday or Tuesday May 1st-2nd, a patient information pack containing information about Parkinson's, about some of the complications that can occur and how they are best treated, and about the Parkinson's Association of Ireland, may b collected by every person with Parkinson's (or someone else on their behalf) from their local pharmacy. THis has been a huge project, and we hope to reach EVERY person with Parkinson's. There is no cost for this folder; it is free, and hopefully will be read from cover to cover! More than Meets the Eye - that's the campaign title - there is more than meets the eye to Parkinson's.

More than Meets the Eye? Well, the main symptoms that can be SEEN are tremor, slowness of movement and muscle pain, but there are others, such as depression, constipation, cognitive problems for some, that are not apparent, Or they may be apparent but not understood - a stillness or lack of expression in the face, a softness and reduction in speech volume, vital ingredients for interacting with others - all missing. "I get no reaction" says one elderly gentleman of his wife of over 50 years. Our reply, "yes, you do, but you have to read more into it, pretend it isn't as muted".

Many patients with Parkinson's do not have access to specialist services - we have 17 neurologists, and Denmark, similar population, has well over 200! This initiative is a first for ud, and thank to the cooperation of the IPharmA, and an unrestricted educational grant from Orion Pharma, we have a folder full of information about Parkinson's, about how to deal with some of the things that happens as Parkinson's slowly progresses, and about us and our Association and what we can offer. We think there are about 6,000 people with Parkinson's here in Ireland. Many have a poor quality of life, and we are hoping that these packs will first of all inform, perhaps inspire to go talk to their doctor, educate so that when they see their doctor they will be able to describe their current condition more accurately, and understand why the medication may be changed or altered, and finally, let them know that the support offered by the Parkinson's Association can help them - there is nothing like seeing people in the same situation survive. Friendships with other Parkinsonians - for the writer here, who is also a Person with Parkinson's, their support is what helped me survive emotionally.