I was diagnosed in 2005 and it went pretty well every year. But now, a year and a half ago, it’s gotten worse. I’ve got the latest duodopap pump, and it’s not getting better. I’ve lost about 20 pounds in about three years. All the muscles are gone, and the legs feel like spaghetti after a couple hundred yards.

The latest pump is called Produodopa, and if it doesn’t work well for you, then maybe one of the other pumps can. Bone numbness is probably due to what’s called polyneuropathy. We usually try to prevent it by medicating with vitamin B12 and folic acid, sometimes also vitamin B6. It’s quite common to lose muscle mass after so many years with Parkinson’s, so it’s important to eat and drink, to get enough nutrition.