medtronics, boston was not brought up, even though i think it is offered by another hospital in the area.

i didn't do that much research, comes down to low risk, high potential reward and if i waited any longer DBS might disappear as an option plus taking meds every 2-3hrs with unavoidable major protein interference and resulting "OFF" times became very frustrating and was affecting my health and significantly reducing my already limited social life. responding so well to l-dopa made me a very good candidate. if i wasn't living alone and basically hiding my off times, friends and family would have pressured me to consider DBS sooner. i was giving up more and more of a normal life, hopefully that will reverse itself. if not, i'll deal with it.

[QUOTE=sim00;1214353]Hello Soccertese, I am very happy for your decision, I'm going for DBS in July. I also believe that, at this day, is the only valid chance for those with Parkinson's disease and no longer respond sufficiently to drugs (average 10+ years). I would to ask you what device you will use, Medtronic or Boston Scientific or something else.
Best wishes.[/QUOte

I am excited for you and wish you all the best!

I am happy that this is in process for you, ST. It seems that you are really ready.
Keep us posted as you proceed.

Robert

Soccertese wishing you the very best possible improvement from the DBS and many productive and happy years after the operation.

Going in for a consultation next week with the surgeon. The neuro tells me I have a limited window to take this option. Hopefully I won't regret it.

Soccertese, this is a tough one. The temptation is to tell you that all will be well because you are such a strong person. But it seems to me that "being well" is as much a state of mind as it is a state of body. We obviously don't know how your body will react, but, as one person told me when I was diagnosed with PD, we know you have grit. My experience is that grit takes a person a long way, and in your case, I perceive exceptional grit. My thoughts and best wishes are always with you.

thanks nan, just got tired of taking pills and not being able to eat like a normal person because of protein interference. my neuro had been briefly mentioning it as the "3rd option" every time i got worse for the last 2 years but what made me finally decide was that in the last 3 months a new symptom kicked in, slight intermittent rigidity in 1 foot at times progressed in to rigidity in both feet when OFF, happened almost overnight, and before that i could be OFF a little and still be able to walk, drive, etc. but no more, with thIS new symptom, if i wanted to be ambulatory, had to take meds every 2-3 hours which was was causing too low BP at times and that made DBS an opportunity that i felt lucky to have. DBS became a "no-brainer". have been watching YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN for tips on recovery after the surgery.

Hump, what hump?

ST... I'm there with you.

Medtronic is currently the only choice. Boston is conducting trails, but you will not know if you are turned on or off for six months to a year. Probably a year off before an option for non-trail patients. St Jude is also coming up with their DBS, about three years off before we see it on a regular basis.

I'll have bilateral done in a few months (date pending). Parkinson's is affecting both sides now, dystonia on just my right side. Meds effective (great response) giving me a 2 1/2 window as I take them every four hours.

At 57 it should be good. Irony is I have dropped almost 50#. I was pushing 300# a couple of years ago, down to 250#. I understand with DBS it is common for weight to increase as the muscles aren't moving as much. I keep joking at it is more from loosing too much food off my fork (my dog is getting heavier, however).

Few weeks back I was out for two weeks business travel, heading home flight was delayed couple of hours. Later diverted as the home airport got 9" of rain. Lost luggage. Too much tremor, jaw joined in the fun. Couldn't talk, couldn't write a note.... in an airport and not able to communicate. That was the final moment when I figured DBS is viable.

For me I am still working, and want to remain working, so it makes sense to hopefully give me a few more years.