What would I do without these drugs?

Diana wants others to have access to the same drugs as her

Diana Barnes, 60, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease four years ago.

She started taking donezepil (Aricept) - one of the drugs that NICE has proposed to withdraw in England and Wales.

Mrs Barnes says she is outraged at the prospect, although she will still be eligible to have prescriptions regardless of the final decision because she is already on the drug.

She said that when she started taking her treatment "it was like a fog in my head had been lifted".

'Crying shame'

"When I was diagnosed I think I cried for about three days. Then I decided it wasn't any good, and I just had to get on with it.

"I really enjoy sending cards to my friends. Now I can't write.

"I have tried to write, but as I go to put the word down it seems like there is something stopping me, or a different character appears to the one I wanted.

"I don't know what I would do without these drugs.

"I still have good days and bad days, but the drugs have made a big difference.

"But having Alzheimer's even with the drugs is not nice. I despair sometimes.

"It seems madness to take away things that are helping people. They talk about money but these drugs only cost �2.50 a day."

She still hopes that more and better drugs for Alzheimer's will be developed in the future.

This sends out a message of no hope to a very large number of people Barry Barnes talking about NICE's delay in making a decision on the drugs' availability

"I'm just banking on something happening, some breakthrough, but its very hard to stay positive when we have people like NICE to contend with."

Her husband, Barry, said when they first found out Diana's diagnosis it was like a death sentence.

"It's a disease, not just forgetfulness, that robs people of their function and dignity.

"These drugs have made a significant difference."

He said they had slowed Diana's deterioration.

But they were bitterly disappointed that NICE had not yet decided to reverse its proposals to ban the drugs.

"This sends out a message of no hope to a very large number of people.

"It's a crying shame."

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