My Dad got DBS back in Dec. and it was susposed to help with the cramps in his torso, but it did not. He went the other day to get an adjustment and the Dr. said he didnt know what was going on and thus decided not to adjust him at that time. So he has to wait another 6wks before his next apt. and in the mean time he has to take morphine for the pain. Has anyone here had similar problems and if so what was the cause and what did you do to relieve them???

Thanks,

Concerned Son

like a programming problem. Dystonia is typically the last thing that DBS affects. Try turning it off for a day if your dad can stand it, and see if that stops the dystonia. the order I attack this problem, is:
1. find out what your dad's settings are. suggest 140 to 180HZ if it is lower.
Ask if his setttings are monopole or dipole. Investigation of Dipole settings mostlikely would be in order. USing dipole settings helps "focus" the stimulation.
2. let the programmer have 10 chances to get it right then look for another.
3. get 2nd opinion of lead placement

there is so much more to tell you, I can't really tell you anymore with out knowing your dads history. A lady in my group went through 4 programmers before she found Sierra Farris in Seattle.

DON"T GIVE UP!!

I have group at Yahoo groups, DBS Surgery. A Google search will take you right to it.
1400 members, many of whom are very knowledgeable about DBS.

Charlie. PD DX'ed in 1990. DBS STN At UCLA in 2002

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!
This has been a very emotional/painfull time for for my Dad and my family. I will find out more about his settings (off the top of my head I do know that he has 2 generators instead of the single one if that is what you mean by dipole) and let you know and also join the group.

James

determined by the leads, there are two leads used, one for each side of the brain. They are labeled "0,1,2,3" so an example of monopolar would be case positive (+) and lead 2 negative (-). Dipole example would be lead 1 positive (+) and lead 2 and 3 negative (-). There are many combinations. Your programmer should spend an hour or so trying different combinations on your first visit. Your programmer should know roughly what the most efficacous settings will be from the testing in the operating room.

Charlie