Parkinson's drug Produodopa gives British father Damien Gath a life-changing before and after video

British father Damien Gath has been given a new chance at life after a remarkable groundbreaking treatment that helped him manage his Parkinson's disease.

According to NHS England, Gath was one of the first patients in the UK to be fitted with a portable pump that gradually releases the new drug produodopa throughout the day to relieve symptoms.

Produodopa or foslevodopa-foscarbidopa is a continuous infusion therapy recommended for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who are experiencing severe changes in their movement ability and for whom conventional Parkinson's medications no longer provide adequate relief.

An extraordinary video shows Gath preparing a cup of coffee in his kitchen before and after the treatment.

Before treatment with the groundbreaking drug began, Gath's wife filmed the 52-year-old struggling to stir his drink because his tremors and other symptoms made it difficult for him to grip the spoon and stay in place.

Days later, Gath was able to walk around the kitchen without any problems.

He took milk out of the fridge, poured it into his mug and stirred the drink without any problems since the pump, the size of a water bottle, hung on his belt.

Gath, who was first diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 12 years ago, has been cared for at Sherwood Forest Hospitals since 2016 and received his first produodopa treatment in July, according to the English health system.

“It was extraordinary and life-changing – the big difference is that there are no fluctuations now,” Gath said of the treatment. “So soon after the first treatment, I could more easily make myself a cup of coffee and go to the supermarket.”

He began the new treatment after his condition worsened and he was taking four different oral medications six times a day to control the involuntary movements that made everyday activities challenging.

“The big difference is that there are no more fluctuations now,” he explains, because he also sleeps better at night thanks to the treatment.

“I also sleep much better and the duvet doesn't feel like a ton of weight on my legs – I can turn over if I want to.”

Gath says that before taking Produodopa, he had significant pain at night and was unable to sleep or turn over.

The effect of the oral medications wore off over the course of the night, causing significant fluctuations in his condition.

The infusion treatment that Gath has learned to administer himself results in minimal fluctuations in the patient, as is common with oral medications.

If necessary, the patient may also administer an additional dose.

According to the Movement Disorders Clinic, Produodopa is currently only available in the UK and the European Union.

Gath isn't the only one grateful for the groundbreaking drug, as his wife says the couple can now do more things together.

“We always tried to continue doing normal everyday things, like going out to eat,” Amanda Gath said. “But sometimes it was difficult to deal with the lack of understanding from the people around you, and that's why I became very protective of Damien.

“Now we are like any other couple and we are having fun,” she added.