HOPE has been ignited for a man who has been struggling with a degenerative disease for more than a decade.

Jeff Tottle, 59, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a disease which attacks the body’s ability to move freely, when he was just 42 years old.

But for the last six years, Mr Tottle, from North Curry, and his family, have been working with a team of dedicated doctors to try and find a cure.

“I was washing my hair and my right hand wouldn’t move,” he said. “I thought I had a stroke or just pulled a muscle or something.

“I was in the waiting room at the doctors and I had ruled out Parkinson’s because I thought it was an old person thing.

“You could have knocked me down with a feather when I found out.

“It affects every second or everyday in my life.

“I take medication but I was told without it, I would be incapacitated within two years.

“Medication manages it but now it’s progressing.”

Somerset County Gazette:

MEDICAL JOURNEY: Mr Tottle looking fighting fit 

In 2014 Mr Tottle was told by a doctor at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton about a new trial set to start in Bristol.

Having a history in engineering, he knew the important role research plays in making changes.

He added: “I am big on research. Without it, nothing will move forward.

“It gave me a sense of hope. I got in touch with the hospital and they sent me some books. As soon as I read it I thought ‘I am doing this’.

“As long as I fit what they needed and I knew I had my family behind me.

“I was sent for some tests and they rang me and said I fit the criteria.

“I was happy. It was good and even if it wouldn’t help me, one day it could help someone else.”

Six years on and the trial has been completed, and the experience has been documented into a two-part documentary which is set to air on BBC2 at 9pm tomorrow night (Thursday).

Mr Tottle was on of 42 patients who underwent complex brain surgery and months of infusions via a port embedded into his skull.

Somerset County Gazette:

TAKING PART: Mr Tottle with the infusion equipment in his head

The £3million trial, conducted by doctors from both Frenchay and Southmead Hospital in Bristol, ended in 2017.

The trial involves the testing of drug GDNF - glial-cell derived neurotrophic factor. It’s a naturally occurring protein found in the brain and was first linked to treating Parkinsons in 1993.

It was discovered at a high dosage GDNF had a restorative effect on dopamine neurons. Dopamine neurons are the cells affected in Parkinson’s that lead to slowness, rigidity and tremors among other symptoms.

Mr Tottle’s experience with the trial left him with hope as his condition improved, but following treatment, his Parkinson’s continues to take hold of his body.

For treatment to continue for himself and other patients - more time and money is needed.

“The trial was a challenge,” Mr Tottle added. “You had to be committed.

“I saw lots of improvements at the time. Walking was easier.

“You had to be totally off all medication, at the start I couldn’t even walk from the car. But then after the trial I could walk by myself.

“I always knew it would be just a trial.

“But I found out people as young as 20 can have Parkinson's.

“The only person I heard of having it was Muhammad Ali, and I thought it was because he was a boxer.

“Lots of people don’t know about it. It’s a varied condition, in 100 people with it, their symptoms would be different.

“The documentary is going to be good for awareness. I want as many people to see it as it can. It gives hope to others.

“Now we will have to wait and see, it’s all down to funding.”