DBS and/or duodopa pump: is anyone using... - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

25,337 members26,637 posts

DBS and/or duodopa pump

Littlerody profile image
13 Replies

is anyone using the duodopa pump? going to the new neurologist today was a walk down DBS lane. he was an excellent doctor but part of the DBS team at university of miami. told me there is a window for the DBS surgery. once you start to freeze or have memory or cognitive problems you are not. i'm not sure it would help me, and honestly, neither was he. short of maybe lowering my pill intake, as far as helping my gi problems, couldn't promise of course. anyway, he also wanted me to consider the duodopa pump. mentioned it was much less invasive, no kidding. any takers? Judy

Written by
Littlerody profile image
Littlerody
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
isis6361 profile image
isis6361

Here in London I have put 35 people on DD . So e of which chose not to go onto DBS for various reasons and mostly because it was invasive and again because of the GI issues DBS was unlikely to resolve. DD can be reversed if you change your mind. It can help with gut issues and a lot of the non motor symptoms as well and on that you are often just on DD with slow release dopamine at night. It's not really one or the other but what symptoms are you trying to improve and what you are more comfortable with

leojohn profile image
leojohn in reply to isis6361

My husband is being considered for the Duodopa pump.

He has severe constipation problems.

Are you suggesting that the Duodopa pump can constipation?

park_bear profile image
park_bear in reply to leojohn

PD dries out the GI tract from one end to the other.

In case you haven't already tried it, docusate sodium, known as "stool softener" has made all the difference for me. It is not laxative, merely causes the proper amount of moisture.

Littlerody profile image
Littlerody in reply to isis6361

I guess I'm a little apprehensive about having foreign things anywhere in my body especially my brain. I experience spasms in my left side by my belly and they sometimes wrap around my back. Can be more disabling than the pd. I was thinking from others advice it may just be dystonia or dyskenasia. Is the problem rate with the pump low? Thank you for your obviously professional opinion. Judy

Bridielena profile image
Bridielena

Whats a Duodopa Pump ?

I am not keen to go down the DBS highway.

Littlerody profile image
Littlerody in reply to Bridielena

I think isis6361 can give you the best answer.

isis6361 profile image
isis6361 in reply to Bridielena

Duodopa goes into the jejenum and is attached to a pump weighing the same as a pint of fluid. It is a continuous I fusion of ldopa running at a dose set by your professional usually 16 hours a day waking hours. It's i vasive but can be reversed. It's a great treatment and would help with abdominal dystonia

Bridielena profile image
Bridielena in reply to isis6361

Ouch!!

Thank you . I'm still a nervous Nellie.

Littlerody profile image
Littlerody in reply to Bridielena

That makes two of us lol

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage

The next time I see our Parkinsons nurse I will ask her about it , to explain exactly what she thinks about them and what they help with , will let you know .

My husband is advanced and she told me too invasive in his case

Littlerody profile image
Littlerody in reply to cabbagecottage

Are you speaking of the dbs or the pump?

cabbagecottage profile image
cabbagecottage in reply to Littlerody

Sorry the pump .

isis6361 profile image
isis6361 in reply to Littlerody

No DBS is not a pump it's like a pacemaker to the brain and entails surgery.

You may also like...

Parkinsons, DBS, Covid19 Pfizer Vaccine

My wife had DBS 10/2020. Everything isn't back to normal but they are much much much better than...

levadopa subcutaneous pump

have a lot of problems with gut absorption. Not only does protein seem to be a problem, but just...

DBS

and share my journey with my husband who had the DBS surgery 6 weeks ago. 2 days ago the battery...

DBS surgery to help with “ frozen feet “

Steady Boxing and now I am thinking about DBS surgery, so will DBS have a effect on my “ frozen...

DBS journey

couldn’t organise my sentences and so I spoke to the DBS nurse this afternoon: she suggested that...