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Sharon.... - I've had sets of collagen injections. - I believe you can have them for years, if not indefinitely, but would hafta check with the doctor to make sure. NOTE: Each time you have the collagen injections, as the collagen is reabsorbed by your body, a tiny residue of collagen remains. This residue slowly builds up over time (I have no idea how MUCH time ) and eventually, enough residue is there permanently to no longer need the injections to do the job. - No... they're not really painful. However, a coupla hours after you have the initial injections, you'll have a sore throat <not particularly a bad one> for maybe 3 or 4 hours. In my case, there was never any sore throats after that first set of injections. -You hafta sit still for around 5 or 6 minutes, I found it to be an intersting experience watching the whole procedure on the viseo screen as it was performed. In fact, it was fascinating to watch. - Yes... months. Three to five months. My first injections lasted nearly five months, and the subsequent lasted for about 3 1/2 months (they were done by a different MD than the original, and I don't think he was anywhere NEAR as skilled as Dr. Burke, who did the initial injections on me. - Medicare paid at the time I had the injections, however, the Medicare laws HAVE changed since 5/97, and I haven't followd up to see if the changes affect the collagen injections. - Trouble swollowing and drinking without a straw.? I believe neither of those functions are related to the vocal cords, so my guess is that the collagen injections wouldn't affect swollowing or use of a straw (just an educated guess tho) NOTE: The collagen injections DID help me to breath easier as aiwas no longer leaking out thru the vocal cords.. A benefit I had been unaware of till the procedure was over. Hang in there, m'dear..... Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Sharon Starr <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Saturday, February 13, 1999 8:35 PM Subject: Re: Implants (and help for Mom) >Brab, thanks for the answer. Just for that, :o), here are a whole bunch >more questions: How many times have you had collagen injections? Can you >continue having them, indefinitely? Are they painful? How long do you have >to sit still? Is it only months that they last? Does Medicare pay? Barb, >Mom is having more and more problems swallowing her pills and drinking >without a straw. Would the collagen help that, too? >Thanks again, >Sharon Starr, Daughter and CG for Rae 75/50/45 (age now/age dx/age first >symptoms) >Florence, AZ [log in to unmask] > > >******************************************************************** *** > >>Sharon 'n All..... >> >>I've had extensive discussion with Dr. Gerald Burke of the UCLA Neck >>and Throat Clinic about the inserts into the vocal cords 'cause I'd >>love to get something that didn't need redoing every few months as >>I've had to do with the collagen injections. >> >>Dr. Burke prefers NOT to do the implants on Parkies because our >>disease is unstable - no matter how slowly, our condition DOES >>degenerate and that would mean we'd have to have another set of >>implants (implanted surgically each time). >> >>FYI>.... Each implant, by the way, is custom hand carved for each >>individual patient by Dr. Burke prior to the surgery. >> >>I'm aiming (or maybe I should say "nagging AND praying!) to have Dr. >>Burke (thru his RN, who is my contact person in his office) to do the >>implants in my vocal cords, ANYWAY... despite m yy having had PD for >>24 years). >> >>I've also challenged Dr. Burke to come up with some of device that >>can be implanted AND be adjusted periodically to accomodate vocal >>cord degeneration such as is typlical with Parkinson's. >> >>I don't think he's taking me seriously - yet - but I'm tenacious, and >>I REALLY, REALLY want that type of permanent device. >> >>I'll keep posting updates on this issue every so often as things >>happen, but don't expect an answer to the problem tomorrow, huh? >>This isn't a top priority number in the medical field, I gather. >> >>Barb Mallut >>[log in to unmask] >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Sharon Starr <[log in to unmask]> >>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >>Date: Thursday, February 11, 1999 5:38 AM >>Subject: Implants (and help for Mom) >> >> >>>Hi, guys, >>>Remember the discussion some time ago about collagen injections and >>the new >>>"little hammer" throat implants? >>>Well, Mom really needs something and I'm especially interested in >>the >>>implants. Do any of you have more information on them? Perhaps >>some first >>>hand knowledge? Our neurologist here in Tucson does not believe >>they are >>>meant for PWP's? >>>Thanks, as always, >>>Sharon Starr, Daughter and CG for Rae 75/50/45 (age now/age dx/age >>first >>>symptoms) >>>Florence, AZ [log in to unmask] >>> >> >> >> >> >