I just wanted to update all of you because I almost didn't meet the criteria due to low vitamin B12 level! I bring this up because we have talked extensively here about low B vitamins. In my case, this is the first I have tested deficient in the B range. I wonder if it has to do with high levodopa dosage that I take? I plan on asking my doctor why my B levels matter at all for this treatment. Maybe this will shed some light on our previous discussion?

As for the surgery, I have the tube implanted on July 2nd and will have med started up on July 8th. Oddly, the surgery will take 45 minutes and the drug titration 6-8 hours. I will let you know how it works; from what I have read it also helps nonmotor symptoms.

I'm not sure I reported this before, but the treatment is around $30,000 annually in Europe; there, PWP are considered for three options: DBS, Apomorphine pump, and Duodopa pump. Contrary to what we have rea

Even more interesting is that a trial is starting for a subcutaneous levodopa pump this winter. My doctor informed me that I may be able to switch out into that trial; that would be scads less cumbersome were it to work!

If anyone has any questions, I will gladly check with the lead researcher.

Oh one last tidbit. The Duodopa pump has been in trial since 2000 in the US! This means there are people who have been on it for 14 years and are still on it with no adverse effects. Unbelievable that it is taking this long...

Laura