The Vyalev Pump by AbbVie is approved by the FDA but not yet on Medicare in the USA. Used in a number of countries already.

It is just the standard Levodopa delivered via a pump. My wife uses the Duodopa Pump - also by AbbVie - and will not go for the Vyalev where the needle site has to be changed every couple of days.

Been there, done that, thank you with the Apomorphine Injection therapy used as an emergency medication - rather like dispersible Levodopa.

Stomach looked like a bad case of the measles from all the needle sites - despite being rigorous in her use of the needles.

And had that confirmed by a lady we met who had been on the Vyalev Infusion here in Australia. She was super pleased she had dropped the Vyalev in favour of DBS.

Lifted her blouse and displayed the still lingering marks from the needle sites some three months after she stopped the Vyalev and had DBS.

That was enough for my wife, especially when added to her own experience of Apomorphine injections.

Having said all that, people who have gone on to the Vyalev, and persevered, say it is a real game changer - just like the Duodopa Pump is.

So, need to think long and hard, and do extensive research, before leaping into the Vyalev therapy.

Vyalev has saved my life! I have advanced Parkinson's and was unable to walk without severe freezing. I was on Duopa therapy for years but then it stopped working. I lost my ability to talk.Then I tried Vyalev and in 20 minutes I was walking and talking. My family and friends were amazed. Many of my non motor symptoms improved. I am sleeping 7 hours a night whereas before l was lucky to get 3 to 4 hours. Yes the infusion can be bothersome but the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Let us know what it all entails,as well as the long term results. Thanks.

I am on the Vyalev pump. I live the part of being able to eat when I want to! The pump itself is a pain in the ***. But I think it is worth it. I don't have any tremor at all I still have the stupid hesitations, fatigue, and depression- it can't fix everything but baby steps in the correct direction. 😁

As a retired RN, I think this is definitely worth investigating for my husband. DBS is invasive and can have its own issues. I have only met one person with DBS, but he had problems with vocal strength after it was inserted, was still taking high doses of meds, and issues with depression. His wife didn’t feel that DBS had helped him at all. Obviously that isn’t the issue for all people choosing DBS. All patients aren’t candidates for DBS or don’t want an invasive procedure with a tube for med placement into the intestines. I think subcutaneous administration sounds like it has good potential, and hopefully will be approved by Medicare. Marks on the abdomen from fine needles sounds like a small trade off for the freedom to hopefully move more freely and have the freedom of not taking pills 5-6 x/day and having that affect when you can eat. If you find out anything about the cost, please post.