I hope you get some feed back here and I donot wish to point you away from this venue , because there is much suppport here too and we need your presence here to support others ! But , try this group and talk with Charles Black and some f the others !http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBSsurgery/ ! There is great information in these peoples experiences ! Also view this film! http://www.lilafilms.com/shaken.htm It is very important that you watch out for staph infections , check the occurence at the hospital your having it done ! As with any procedure , there are Good , better and best places to have it done , so do some research and determine your best alternative ! This is not an easy surgery and you need the best in this case ! Hope you find the answers your looking for !

Your Friend in PD !
Michael

I KNOW I WROTE YOU ABOUT THE PROCEDURE MORE THAN THE OUTCOME, SO I THINK I SHOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO LET YOU KNOW. MY MEDS HAVE DECREASED A GREAT DEAL SINCE MY REVISION DBS IN DEC 05 BY DR ZACHARY LEVINE , WHO I CONSIDER A TRUE GENIUS. I HAVE HAD NO SYMPTOMS ON MY LEFT SIDE WHICH WAS MY WORST AND NO DYSKENESIA SINCE THE FIRST DBS IN DEC 04. I HAVE NO REGRETS AT ALL. I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN, BUT HOPE I DON'T NEED TO. THE REASON FOR THE REVISION WAS DUE TO A BROKEN LEAD WIRE. THE SURGERY IS NOT AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS. I AM THE WORLD BIGGEST COWARD AND I FOUND HAVING THE IV STARTED TO BE THE MOST TRYING EXPERIENCE OF THE WHOLE PROCEDURE, SO THE REST IS A PIECE OF CAKE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING, JUST BE THERE AND YOU ARE NOT PARALYZED WITH ANESTHESIA SO YOU ARE BREATHING ON YOUR OWN AND AT TIMES CAN HAVE CONVERSATION WITH THOSE AROUND YOU. I AGAREE WITH MIKE, CHECK THINGS OUT. I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY FRIEND HAVING HIS DONE AT BARROWS . I DON'TKNOW HOW CLOSE THAT IS TO YOU BUT JUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH HIM.
YOUR NEW PD BUDDY
SUSIE

The two comments that you already have are very good with good information. I have looked into DBS because my nuero wants me to think about it. I found an organization that is all about DBS , it's called,ACTIVA. If you are interestedthere are a couple of web sites you can look at www.medtronic.com/physician/activa and www.newhopeforparkinsons.com On the medtronic site there are a couple of interviews and videos of before and after DBS. I hope that maybe there is thing that will give you some help. I admire you for having the courage to do the surgery. I myself , just can't go there yet. Good luck to you and all my best wishes. GranEEjay8

ABOUT DBS SURGARY. I GOT EXPERINCE OF LAST 8 YEARS OF DBS SURGARY. I AM VERY FINE. ONLY SMALL PROBLEM OF WALKING. SOME TIMES DYSKINSIA. OTHERWISE IT GO FOR NEW LIFE TO PD PATIENT. THANKS.
NARESH PATEL.
ENAIL.< nrfox51@yahoo.com >

I underwent DBS in August of this year and, so far, I have no regrets. To get a more detailed account of my experience, feel free to read my jornal entries. I have been able to back down a little from my Sinemet, after seven years, I am tremor free, my energy level has improved, and I don't feel like PD controls me anymore. If you have any specific questions about DBS, I would be happy to answer them if I can. Do your homework and don't be afraid to ask your neurosurgeon how often he has performed this procedure. In the wrong hands, this procedure could be devastating. In competent hands, it has been a miracle for me. Good luck to you. TeeCee

my husband has had PD 10 years, decided he wants to have DBS,....too little 'on' time, too much off time either frozen or in pain form cramping, almost no sleep at all,...he sees a neuro at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL.......We wanted to know how long is it from the time you want it done to the time of the actual surgery, assuming insurance covers it, and how much preparatory work (MRI's,etc.) is done leading up to it....any info appreciated, thanks. It sounds scary but encouraging. He is at a point where he is scared NOT to try it because his days are dreadful much of the time...Thanks.

I underwent DBS in October 2009.
Dealing with hyper dyskinesia, I was not expecting miracles, before the procedure I said that if the tremors could be reduced by 50%, then that would be no mean achievement. The tremors have in fact, been reduced by 95- 98 %, I am well pleased.
My life has been greatly improved as a result, and yes I would do it again. Full recovery time was about 4 weeks.
If you need any more input, I will be happy to help.

Hi i had DBS put in 2x . The first time they put it in it was great , i could not be happier. I was mowing well and walk with out a cane. Unfortunately 3 monts later wires work them self through the skin and cause staff infection . It had to be taken out. pick line was put in an I started 6 wks IV have duty antibiotics. Another DBS was put in in october last year. I healed well , but I did not feel as good as with the first one , It is still being adjusted. but i am walking, meds were not decreased . My incision open up again. I was told , that it happens to people with no hair or thinning hair., Great i had to be the lucky one. I was my hair every day and put on antibiotic cream nit. my head is not haling in fact the hole got little bigger . Dont know what is going to happen . But i know , I cannot do with out the wires. well in conclusion DNS is a great think if all goes well. But if it does not your life is a mess. Zlatica

thanks, i'll be asking you guys for input soon, much appreciated.