food for thoght
http://www.jaapa.com/Ethical-issues-...rticle/127598/

those complications happen in roughly 5 % of the recipients. The one to worry about is post-operative infection. Factoring in infection raises the complication rate to almost 20% If the installing neurosurgeon is good, erosion and breakage are almost nil.
As far as Mrs D. goes I have heard of cases like that. To withdraw someones DBS who is getting relief from it is, well criminal to me. If the DBS adds to or causes their dementia, thats another story.
the bottom line is even with its possible,(but certainly not probable) side effects, which ALL treatments have, DBS is the only game in town which can offer the advanced Parkinson's patient a good chance at a "normal" life.

Sierra M. Farris, MPAS, PA-C cco-author of this article is my DBS programmer at the Booth Gardner Parkinsons Care Center.

Darrell;

You are very fortunate to have such a great programmer!!

You know all one can do is to put themselves in the patients place and ask themselves, is this how I would like to be treated?
I don't have an answer for that one........

Charlie