Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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peachybum 10/01/2009

As i stated above, l want to know exactly what DBS is.

Everything, what is the operation, what is it supposed to do, what are the downsides/upsides.

Everything please

PhilGS 10/01/2009

Hello Peachybum,
I can't speak from personal experience, but there are quite a few good documentaries on Youtube on DBS. I was surprised.

hisknobs 10/01/2009

Peachybum, Deep Brain Stimulation surgery plats two electrodes in the brain with lead wires to a battery pack plated under the skin in the chest. The electrical impulses put overides on the brain signals that causes shaking and body tremors. I know three people who couldnt function without it. They have had life improving success, I have heard about others who did not fair so well. I have been told by my neuro dr. that i will be a good candidate in a couple of years as symtoms progresss to the point that meds can not control symptoms. learn all you can. good luck and good health.

SandHarbor3 10/02/2009

I recommend inserting "Parkinson" and "DBS" into a search engine like Google.com and reading all you can about it.

Here are a couple of articles to get you started:
www.parkinson.org/Document.Doc?id=425 and www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/deep_brain_stimulation/deep_brain_stimulation.htm

I agree with PhilGS; there are quite a few vidoes on www.YouTube.com.

Read everything and anything about DBS so that you're empowered with information to enable you and your PD-neurologist to reach the best decision for you.

Good luck!

deleted_user 10/02/2009

Hi Peachybum
DBS is significant surgery to implant 1 or 2 electrodes into a precise area of your brain in an attempt to offset some of the bad nerve signals that cause dyskinesia (usually medication induced), some tremor and some mobility challenges.
About 50% of patients get some relief for 2 years or so, some get nothing and some get worse. It can help those who are very debilitated through over-medication and disease progression for a short period. After that, they get worse.
DBS can be switched off but the surgery is irreversible and the failures I see can achieve only minor improvements even with great effort.
Before considering this huge step, watch "The Bridge at Midnight Trembles", a DVD about Richard Moir's story of PD and DBS, and the horror he went through. He has had numerous operations since then and is still very ill.
Frankly, I would suggest that you avoid DBS at all costs unless you want to risk a brief honeymoon followed by 20 years of hell.
Cheers, John

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