I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I used to be.
 

A remarkable thing happened in January and I have heard little about it. Do you know that the FDA approved the use of a carbidopa/levodopa gel along with a medication pump which delivers the drug similar to a feeding tube into the digestive system past the stomach where the medication bypasses the stomach and is absorbed into your body. The big deal with this is NO MORE PILLS!!

I have been on the pump since October and have taken probably 10 pills whereas a used to take two pills every two hours of the day. Along with that I was dyskinetic, had off and on times that were very inconsistent.

Hi Jim -- That's great news that you are doing better on the pump. So, to make sure I am understanding correctly, you now do not take pills regularly, but only occasionally?

Has the pump helped your dyskinesias? And do you have more on time, less on time, or about the same amount since starting the pump?

Thank you in advance for any information you can share!

The pump
 

As of now I rarely take a pill. The dyskinesia is gone, but it is only because with the pump I can regulate how much C/L I am getting. If I have too much I do get dyskinetic but nowhere near what I had on thepills. I have much more on time and little off time.

In the end it is all about QOL, quality of life. This is it! Mind you I'm not
out playing golf but I'm out of my wheelchair!

Dear Jim,

Thanks again for this helpful information on the pump. May I ask, how are you doing with it three months later?

My mother is considering it and we are trying to learn more.

One more question -- can you eat protein during the day with the pump? One of the challenges with my mom's PD is that even the slightest amount of protein interferes with the (already poor and inconsistent) absorption of her medicine. This means that she can eat very little during the day, which poses challenges as she is already underweight.

Thanks again and best wishes to you.