New Lease Of Life For Newmarket Man

29 April 2010, 05:29 | Updated: 29 April 2010, 05:34

A man from Newmarket, who has Parkinsons Disease, is living a more normal life after a unique operation.

Aches and cramps kept Barry Salter awake at night and movement was so difficult he had even used a wheelchair before he had deep brain stimulation (DBS).

"After I had the operation I slept through the night which was marvellous" he said.

Mr Salter, 61, from Newmarket, said his condition has now improved so much he is able to play table tennis, badminton and swim.

"I was able to go on a trip to Australia with my wife,'' he said.

"I wouldn't have contemplated that beforehand.''

Mr Salter, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's 13 years ago, had deep brain stimulation (DBS) five years ago at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, in central London.

Before the operation he had suffered hallucinations and his movement was very slow.

"I was on quite a lot of drugs. They weren't working particularly well,'' he said.

"The opportunity to have the surgery seemed a good idea and it has proved to be the case.

"I take less than half the drugs I used to take before the operation. I sleep very well.''

His hallucinations have also stopped although he does have some unwanted side effects from the surgery - his voice is quieter and he has problems swallowing.

"I have had not five years of normal life but as near normal as possible,'' Mr Salter said.

"I go down to the gym twice a week. I swim, play table tennis, badminton.

"Before the surgery there were times when I had a wheelchair briefly and things were looking pretty awful.''