I Am Considering DBS. For You That Have Had The Surgery, Knowing What You Know Now, Would You Do It Again?
I Am Considering DBS. For You That Have Had The Surgery, Knowing What You Know Now, Would You Do It Again?
Absolutely yes. I was an optimal candidate for DBS -- my main symptom was tremors, I had responded to carbidopa/levodopa well in the past, but its effectiveness had worn off and I had developed side-effects, and I had good general health. The moment that my controller was turned on, my tremors ceased. Completely stopped in an instant. But it is important to get a great neurologist and an even better neurosurgeon, ones that have a successful track record with DBS. I researched it, and had to go to San Antonio, a 5-hour trip from Dallas, to find mine. There are a lot of uninformed nay-sayers, even among physicians, but I highly recommend it.
On behalf of my husband, absolutely yes. It eliminated tremors completely and enabled us to have 12 years of touring around Australia in our bus. Before operation Graham could only move for about 2 hours a day. After operation he was up cleaning out the gutters of our roof.
Absolutely I would do it again. The benefits are beyond your imagination
DBS surgery was challenging but well worth it. Painful muscle spasms disappeared immediately post surgery and so far have not returned. All medication reduced by 50%
Absolutely, I would do it again. It's the best decision I have ever made. I basically eliminated my tremors which was my main symptom. It does not correct everything like speech, balance, constipation, etc., but for tremors, dyskinesia, dystonia etc. it does a wonderful job.
