It's a done deal! Stage III complete. What started as a nasty,rainy,Monday morning is now clear and Sunny, on the way home from Vandy. Already seeing and feeling good stuff happening to my body. The honeymoon effect is alive and well, and the Neuro surgeon said it's usually indicative of the results when I'm turned on . Don't want to curse myself but I have a glimmer of a sunny forecast now.😎Emotions running high!😥

Great news.....

He is absolutely right. Just don't make the mistake I made and
assume that everything will turn to roses on Day1 and stay that
way for the rest of your life. They told me it would be a PROCESS
and you know what, they were absolutely right.

I just came back from my 1st. 'adjustment' this afternoon. They
took the voltage up from 1.9 to 2.5 and I feel much better. I have
learned, however, that what is important is not what I feel like
at this particular moment but rather how I'm doing a month from
now, 2 months from now, 6 months, and so on.

blog update
scottsuf.blogspot.com

I had it done Oct 13 and have had a few adjustments already to get me up to 2.5 volts. I have dystonia where I can't move but now I can move all the time. I get up out of bed in the morning and go down the hall to the bathroom.
I still take some meds but nothing like before. It's not all rosy though. I get some headaches and muscle cramps especially in my thighs. My speech is slurred sometimes. I got the rechargeable battery and if had to do it again I would consider the regular one. I am a bad procrastinator but so far I have kept it charged. The first week after the operation is the honeymoon where it feels like it is working but that goes away as time passes and you heal more.
I was at the end of my rope before this and had no life whatsoever. This is not perfect yet but I would do it again. I already put on 20lbs of very needed weight.

Can't Believe It Either
 

Wow, I too had leads placed on 10/13. Currently at 2.5.
Speech is also a problem, although problems fluctuate
somewhat.

No muscle cramps that I can recall. I cry at the drop of a hat.

I'm going to borrow Jim's disclaimer; Please consider the
following information as my personal experience and in no way
a recommendation or suggestion for others to go down this road.
I am not a doctor. I am just a guy with PD.

1 capsule of Rytary 23.75/95 at 8 a.m., and 1 at bedtime.
Yes, a total of 2.

Currently experiencing approx. 85/90% tremor suppression,
which I can live with. Especially on days when I'm sitting at
home in pajamas.

No more complications with Rytary and Alcohol

After 9 am, I can eat as much as I want, as often as I want
(5 LB. gain in 4 days).

As far as I'm concerned, Dr.'s Kaplan, Fisher, and Griffith (Kansas
City area) are Superstars.

Key West tickets in hand for 1/7-1/12.

Hopefully further symptom degradation won't be too severe or
too rapid. Keep praying -

Were you taking Rotary before the operation. I never tried it although I tried just about everything else the last 23 years. Before the operation I was frozen every three hours after taking meds. Now I can move but take a 50/200 er every four hours. I feel the old me creeping back in the difference being I can move all the time. I am beginning to wonder if the meds are still adversely effecting me.

Is there a website for people who have had DBS. My next adjustment is in mid January but I can raise or lower the voltage a little as needed. thanks

National Parkinson Foundation Parkinson.org has a forum for DBS.

Thankfully in Austin, TX we have a "DBS support group" that meets monthly. Went last week, small turn out due to Holidays but glad I went.

Six weeks out after surgery. Honeymoon period has warn off, adjusting to the new me. Left hand ZERO tremor, right hand is very stable tremor at times.

Dystonia no longer an issue. Have not had any foot dragging or freezing (!!!). I can button a dress shirt on a bad day.

Currently at much reduced medication. My "on/off" transition is very mild (amazing).

Long journey to go, so far all it good. I was feeling too good and returned to exercising too soon. Brain swelling is real, so take it easy for six to eight weeks after brain surgery.

Yes, I was taking Rytary before DBS, but found it nearly impossible to use. The interaction with alcohol (half a beer) felt like it was putting me into a coma, and the interaction with food was hopeless.

I try to get to the blog every other day. If you need anything else let me know.

I'm 12 days post Stage III surgery (Vanderbilt ) with a couple questions. I was warned about stiffness in the neck but this feels worse than I thought might hit me. So, has anyone else experienced a stiff and tight neck after neurotransmitter insertion, from the extension lead having scar tissue build around it? I move my neck around frequently. When I get up I can turn my neck a full 90 degrees to the right, but to the left I might be able to get 60. What did you do? What was your outcome (positive I hope)? Sent surgeon pics, he thought it would resolve itself basically but repeat pictures next week.
Thoughts? Comments?
Merry Christmas from the hills of East Tennessee!