Duopa pump treatment for PD

[cjsg]

My hubby takes a 25/250 carbidopa/levadopa every other hour. It is hard to keep on time everytime. His doctor wants him to think about the pump that puts med into the small intestine. Anyone have one? What does it cost a year to use? What is it like for you to wear and maintain? Any side effect, good or bad, and what are they for you?

[Joy-love-magic]

My friend did research on it and it supposed to be better for you, but I don't know if insurance will pay for yet

[Blackfeather in reply to Joy-love-magic]

There is an Israeli company called neuroDerm that has developed a skin patch and micro pump that works way better than duodopa, which delivers the drug directly into the upper intestine, which can lead to infection. The neuroderm system is probably 1 to 2 years away from being available. I will wait for it.

[Juliegrace in reply to Blackfeather]

Me, too.

[cjsg]

I did more research on the pump and it cost 6,054 dollars a month. That doesn't include doctor appointments to fine tune dosage, cost of purchasing the pump, any hospital or other doctors fees. That would make it 72,648 dollars plus all other expenses. Our insurance doesn't want to pay for Rytara, it costs 400.00 a month, I know it would pay for the pump. DBS is less expensive, more invasive.

There is a patch here that is an antagonist, can't remember the name. It is 400.00 a month also. A friend uses it 1 x a day. It works great for him. Thanks for the input.

[ramondo4 in reply to cjsg]

My GP told me that my Rotigotine patch costs the NHS three hundred & forty pounds for one months supply. ( £340. 00. )

[Cbgs in reply to cjsg]

🙀