Medicine pump

[rainy2day]

I am considering having a medicine pump so my medicine will automatically be administered does anyone else have info

[soup]

Which medicine will be in it?

[Sleeplessparki]

Hi rainyday, my neuro is really pushing me into Installing this device called the Duopa Pump which delivers a steady flow of carbidopa directly into your small intestine. According to the doc it works as well as DBS....

[PDWife60]

Hi Rainyday and Sleeplessparki. In our last appointment with Rob's neurologist, she stopped his dopamine agonist and said he had three options: (1) go without the dopamine agonist altogether, (2) have intestinal surgery called PEG-J, and (3) undergo DBS surgery. We talked to the surgery nurse for about an hour, and she explained the two surgeries pretty well. For now, he is going without (option 1) and feeling good.

With PEG-J surgery, a tube is inserted into the intestines and extends outside the body to a Duopa Pump which is carried in a case you wear on your chest, around your waist, or on your back. The medication that is administered is Duopa, which contains carbidopa and levodopa and is delivered continuously for 16 hours (per bag) directly into the small intestine. The procedure is reversible. However, you still continue to take other Parkinson's medications orally and can take carbidopa/levodopa immediate-release pills as needed for nighttime or "rescue".

My husband and I live very active lifestyles. We have five grandchildren and three dogs who like to climb on his lap or play rough, he plays guitar, lifts weights, etc. He feels the pump is not appropriate for his lifestyle, and I agree. If the tube is pulled out for any reason, you're back in surgery. If the tube gets blocked, surgery. There are other instances that can result in going back for surgery. The pamphlets they sent home with us indicate there are other risks as well, so I highly suggest you have in-depth discussions with your doctor and nurse.

Hope this helps. Sending gentle thoughts to you both.

[Sleeplessparki in reply to PDWife60]

Hi PDwife, thanks for your candid follow up. I tend to agree with your husband not sure I would like having a tube and a box attached to me all the time and for me DBS is not something I'm ready for, at least at this time. I will continue to keep busy and keep a positive attitude and hopefully our options will increase.

Best wishes to you and your husband

Mark

[rainy2day]

I appreciate all the information but I put it off last year I don't like the idea of having the pump but I'm having more off time so I'm going to give it a try I'm 70 years young so I don't want to sit around and feel bad all the time