I think we need to get some perspective about this subject of "free speech" as it is not my intention to join a crusade against certain posters or this subject. I thought the tone of the response to your original post was inappropriate, I posted a reminder about respect, and that is where I will leave it.

I urge you to do the same as I feel what needs to be said has been said.

As for this forum head hunting certain posters, Aftermathman was a member of the original Braintalk, (mostly talking to Howard re. rugby, and boring the yanks to death as they don't play the game) and Braintalk2 since its inception.

For all its faults I believe this forum offers the most knowledgeable and informative platform on the web and I am proud to have contributed however a small amount to this base. I agree we perhaps need to redress the balance between science and the human perspective however if you want to know anything about PD, (or rugby), Braintalk is the place to look.

Take care buddy,
Neil.

How can anyone judge tone from the written word? Could it be possible that misunderstanding is part of the issue. I am asking questions and putting forth information. People tend to forget that science does NOT know how LD works or how DBS works. It's all theory.

If these kind folks want to volunteer to be statistics for some gnarly complications then they can benefit a lot of other folks who are not so adventurous. That is fine with me. Don't expect me to be quite so giving. They are welcome to go right ahead. It makes me a little squeamish to be quite so uncaring.

It was obvious from what was said that several haven't done the research on what might happen to them. Early on in the disease things are VERY mild and they may have atypical PD which would never require this surgery. It was my intent to point this out. If my word smithing doesn't strike ur fancy I can do nothing about it. Perhaps realizing the written word can be so easily misunderstood would be helpful.

I think it's much more irresponsible to support this type of study without pointing out the downside. Dying is rather counterproductive IMHO. The ostrich mentality on this site seems way more counterproductive than my questioning of the publicized facts.

DBS surgery is safe if done by a good surgeon. I had the best! We are all told ahead of time of the possible complications, but what you just posted would have shied me away from it and that would have been a mistake for me. Its not perfect but it was the best thing I ever did.

I will be leaving my brain to science and hopefully they will learn from it.

So what you're saying is that the actual clinical data would have shied you away from DBS?? OR that you went in not knowing this (the facts) and had the surgery? All the more reason for someone to post the FACTS. You prove my point. I would want all the good and bad facts before making my own carefully considered decision. The ostrich mentality isn't a good one to have when contemplating brain surgery.

Honestly, if you're telling me one post with NIH facts would have caused you not to have the surgery and ruined your life? Really? Really? No surgery is 100% safe or these stats would NOT BE THERE! The doc would not have explained the RISKS to you. You had to sign a legal release that you knew death was a possible outcome. To suggest otherwise is just ridiculous.

*admin edit*

*admin edit*

REALLY!!!!!!!

I had the facts but I spoke to people who had undergone the surgery.....many of them. I joined a Yahoo site where all they talk about is DBS. I watched the actual surgery on the web. I did my research my way and was well aware of the problems that could arise. I had encouragement not discouragement...and your posts are discouraging. In your zealousness to sound intelligent, you turn readers off! You must be having a bad day...RELAX!

Maybe you should reread what you just answered. It's obvious you didn't actually read and understand what I posted because you answered my rhetorical question in a humorous way. I'm encouraging making informed decisions not being negative. If you choose to read it negatively after I explain it is not then you bring the negative to it. If what I say encourages one person to look more carefully at the points I make then I consider myself successful.

Your question inferred that I had the procedure without knowing the facts. My reply not only answered your rhetorical question, it left no doubt that I knew the negative consequences. I, however, don't like to consider myself a statistic, so I went to the source....people with experience and gauged their replies.

Your method of presenting the facts left a lot to be desired. That's about it!

I inferred no such thing. It asked if you really would have read my post and would then decide not to have the surgery. I asked "Honestly, if you're telling me one post with NIH facts would have caused you not to have the surgery and ruined your life? Really?" The rhetorical questions are meant to not elicit a response.

And you answered REALLY!

My method of presenting the facts involved copying the NIH's conclusions. I'm trying to figure out your point other than you just didn't read it and wanted to jump on the bully bandwagon.

Again confused by what you're saying. You ignored the clinical facts and went to a message board with a bunch of anonymous non-professionals to make your decision? hmmm. I think this is enough useless quibbling with someone that isn't reading the words. Again I'm glad your surgery worked well. Have a good life.

The facts are pretty clear dogma, DBS is far and away the most successful treatment option for PD for those that qualify. Sure there are risks and there have been many failures with the treatment. Same issues with the other treatment options.

With every post you become more negative and argumentative. You are starting to sound like a guy that would argue with a fence post for being in the wrong spot.