2023-10-21 08:15:01
“I had one foot in the grave. L’operation saved my life,” confides Arnaud Samson, aged 53. In 2020, this Lannionnais underwent brain surgery. Two electrodes were placed there. The electrical impulses sent largely replace the medications he was previously taking to treat certain symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. “Around 32 or 33, I started having unexplained joint pain. I was limping a little while running, even though I was running at a good level. I no longer recovered as well,” recalls this former sports instructor, who has been on disability for five years. This is the beginning of the ordeal. The doctors cannot find the disease that is gnawing at him. “The problem when you’re young is that they don’t look for Parkinson’s disease. The doctors told me it was psychiatric or that I had done too much sport. »
For six or seven years, Arnaud Samson “loaded himself with anti-inflammatories and painkillers to go to work” without knowing the name of his illness. It was in Brest, in a pain center, that a neurologist finally made the diagnosis, seeing his arm stiff on the right side when he walked. “I did a scan which validated. I have a fairly violent form of Parkinson’s. »And the medications generate very disabling side effects. ” I was talking. They didn’t understand me. I was inaudible. I had cramps. I fell to the ground. My breathing stopped. »
Over time, the medications no longer work. The doses increase. Arnaud Samson then goes through hell. He no longer sleeps at night. “He had addictive behaviors with the treatments. He felt a little overpowered. He no longer had much of a sense of reality,” says his wife. “For two or three years, I was disconnected. My wife saved me. I might go surfing in the middle of the night,” adds Arnaud, who had a car accident at that time. “Parkinson’s is vicious at night. At one point, we lose control. I had suicidal thoughts. I was no longer conscious. For two or three years, I was far away. » Well surrounded by his family and friends, he managed to get through this milestone. The brain operation allowed him to escape from this hell.
I want to reassure patients potentially eligible for the operation.
Sports challenge
Next week, at the swimming pool, he will embark on a sporting challenge “with a long-time friend”. Pascal Mazé, whose sports coach he was. “I was very afraid of having surgery. There are risks. The operation lasts ten hours. So I wanted to send a message of hope. This is to reassure patients potentially eligible for the operation. Afterwards, they will inevitably be better. You do not have to be afraid. I experienced it. »
After swimming for an hour, he will host a conference with Pascal Mazé on Parkinson’s disease and the operation he underwent. This event will take place on Friday, October 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., as part of the festivities for the 15th anniversary of the Ti dour aqualudique space.
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