Keep after it Soccertese! You will be approved for DBS via SSDI or perhaps via a DBS study! I believe a study is being done for a new DBS stimulator that allows real time feedback to changing stimulation in response to what the brain is doing!

THANKS, i won't get into specifics but due to obamacare i was able to get affordable insurance so i am covered, just waiting for request to insco to be sent to my insco, might have already been done.

if obamacare is terminated after this election, then my ins. costs could go thru the roof and i'd be in the middle of programming but i'm still going ahead with the the request.

I seriously doubt that Obamacare will end regardless of who gets elected. It's just too tempting for either political party to be able to control 1/6 of the economy which health care represents!

Can someone enlighten me as to whether or not DBS
leaves you with the sensation of a foreign object in
your head, or if there's an 'undercurrent' sensation
similar to Sinemet/Levadopa when it's turned on?
(An overall feeling that doesn't feel 'normal'). Thanks -

Good deal..I hope you don't have problems after the next election

It has been eons since I have posted here. Soccertese, it was your comments regarding DBS that drew me back. I hope you have gotten your insurance worked out by now.

I had DBS last November, and although it's not the answer to all problems, I'm glad I did it. My worst problem was dyskinesia and dystonia. Both stopped after my first setting. I had to switch from carbidopa/levodopa to Rytary, but everything is going great. I dont have the debilitating off/on phenomena I used to have. Right now I am having trouble with some freezing, but I am hoping this gets better soon.

Yes - do it if you can afford. New approaches are being made daily. I had mine at Vanderbilt - and they celebrated their 25th year of doing Medtronic surgery this paast fall.

Best to you Soccertese!

Peggy

Just finished the motor skills part of DBS eval at Vandy. Is their anyone else on the forum with Vandy DBS experience? They are approaching their 1000th patient.

Scott

The 1000th patient? That's pretty im[ressive.

Not to confuse anyone, but the FDA just approved focused ultrasound ablation for essential tremor. Rather than try to explain this, watch this video:
Parkinson's Disease | Dr. Sanjay Gupta Covers Focused Ultrasound for Dyskinesia

It's not approved for PD yet, but some might be interested.

Peg

PS
Dont forget that it takes time for these new therapies to be approved by insurance companies, also.

I'm wondering if ablation treatment works long term. As PD is known to progress does one have to get more brain cells burned/ablated as time goes by?