Hi ctyankee---
I always though dbs was for pd people when meds weren't working anymore, but the last time me and Jeff, (he has pd) his neuro kept mentioning it. No way is Jeff in need of such a drastic procedure yet. He has had pd for about 3 yrs and does just fine. Are your symptoms becoming severe that YOU feel you need it? Are your meds no longer working to keep the pd under control? Not to cut dbs down but I've researched this and some pople have good outcomes and some people's symptoms return in a couple of months with vengence. There is alot to consider. I wish someone who write you back that HAS had this done. I can't understand why you've gotten no replies yet??
Cathy

One more thing. Google YOPA and there is a message board with lots of people talking about dbs and other pd problems. This as helped me alot too.

Althought I'm not really a Yankees fan (lol),I'll write to you anyway! I'm almost 50, had PD some 18 yrs! I'm progressing very slowly! I still work , but that is mostly out of need!O'm a self employeed electrical contractor so noone can fire me!I went on meds in June of '04, had a very bad experience w/ Mirapex , found a great neuro who put me on Sinament!I've investigated this "Early Intervention DBS Surgery"! I've talked to most Doctors, talked to most DBS PWP and did extensive research ! I am a proponent of EIDBS ! The old thinking has changed!The old way was give us meds till they quit working then do DBS, but you have to remember , the average age of DX was 68 yo. They have found that after many yrs of Sinament, the long term side effects can be worse than the PD itself!So they developed the new way of thinking: After agonists stop working, do DBS , give you quality of life , then when that no longer works , start the Sinament! After much research,I agree! The main thing here is to get your DBS done some where that they know what they are doing!Have a very low rate of infection and have done the procedure hundreds of times with great success! The one thing to remember , as is in any professsion is, "The neuro surgeon that finished last in his class, they still call him a neuro surgeon and let him operate on peoples brain" , so do the research! The neuoros at Georgetown University started the research on EIDBS ! Vanderbilt University is doing a clinical trial for Medtronics ,These would be two places to start looking! There is of course the Cleveland clinic that has done hundreds of successful surgeries, I've talked with many who have used a group in San Antonio TX that is supposed to be awsome The PDF centers of excellence, most come highly recommended!But in my opinion , I want the best drilling holes in my head! I joined the DBS yahoo site and asked this question , " How many of you would have had DBS surgery MUCH earlier if you had to do it over again?" The response was overwhelming , YES they would have! Go here , read all , ask questions then before you do anything; research, research, research!!http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBSsurgery/ ! No one can or will make that decision for you ! But #1 thing , is get the best!

Some things I forgot! Ask your neuro surgeon haw many he has done , the infection rate in his hospital , His success rate and if you wanna check his demenor, ask him where he finished in HIS class! Also I know many EIDBS patients in your age group , if you's like to talk to them , get in touch w/ me! I can also put you in touch w/ several who have horror stories from getting it done at the wrong places ! Just because tey are a big named hospital , does make them the best ! Also contact Medtronics, they make the devices, ask them questions too! If you wanna talk , give me a call! I'm on Yahoo IM as tennmike1957 or call my cell , 423/360-3790, day or night! HUGS

Your friend in PD !
Michael

Wow Michael, you really enlightened me on the dbs!! I didn't know that it's better to have it done BEFORE using the Sinement. But it sure makes sense to me. I see what pure Sinement does and it aint pretty. Thanks for writing yankee back..p.s...no yankee fan here either..LOL!!