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...
Evening friends. I am 51 years-old and was diagnosed with PD when I was 38. I tried all meds but have a low tolerance. I went through DBS in April 2005. It was great except for balance issues. I take a 1/2 Sinemet 2x a day.No tremor or dyskensia. Some dystonia but botox in my eyelids every 3 months helps. I fall over alot...lol. All in all, considering I'm Stage IV, I'm not too bad. But I haven't heard of long-term DBS results. Anyone know of any? Regardless, I'm glad to be in the group.
Dani
Dani
I BID YOU GREETINGS FROM DOWN UNDER AUSTRALIA, AS I WELCOME YOUR GOOD SELF TO THIS EXCELLENT SUPPORT GROUP.
YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HOW LONG DOES DBS LAST.
WELL I HAD DBS IN OCTOBER 2009, SO I CAN DEFINITELY SAY IT HAS LASTED ME CLOSE ON FOUR 4 YEARS.
FOR MYSELF I UNDERWENT DBS TO DEAL WITH HYPER DYSKINESIA. THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, IN AS MUCH THAT THE ABNORMAL MOVEMENTS OF DYSKINESIA HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED, THUS ALLOWING MORE DOPERMINE REPLACEMENTS TO BE PRESCRIBED, TO DEAL WITH THE OTHER PROGRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON'S CONDITION.
AS TO HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. WITH THIS BEING NEW TECHNOLOGY, WITH IMPROVEMENTS AND WITH SOMETHING HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN IN THE TESTS AND RESEARCH AREA, SOMETHING OF WHICH I AM INVOLVED IN, I GUESS THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THAT ONE.
THERE IS PLENTY OF LITERATURE TO BE HAD ON HIS SUBJECT.
THE THING I FIND TO BE LESS THAN EASY, IS TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT IT IS NOT A CURE AND, FURTHER TO THAT, IT SHOULD NOT SEEN AS A TOOL TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF MEDICATIONS TAKEN, YET THIS CAN AND DOES HAPPEN.
GO WELL DANI,
MAINTAIN A WINNING POSITION,
STEWART - ALIVEO
once ,so it was taken out the first time. The second one was put in
october 2910 , I think. So is 3 years old . Was also stage IV. No tremors , just get stiff ,no disconesia , just max . on meds. Before the DBS was put in , they gave me DVD to view , it say it is good for 7 years. But I think , they like to tacked with caution , I think it may last longer . By then , I hope there be better meds . or possible a cure.
Zlatica
Nice to "meet" you both!
My programer was Dr Yagy. But he had a stroke and had to live.
I liked both of them very much.I am glad the DBS was help to you and
you were brave enough to do it. But if you do not have choice , you do anything to improve your life, I cannot do with out it. Was devastated
when they had o take it out the first time. Bt after course of antibiotics
another was put in and is working well now. I am glad I did it.
Zlatica
PS it is a small world.
My 2nd implant, for my other side was in June 2008 and is still going strong!
REPLY TO PEACHY'S POST.
PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR FEELING THE NEED TO CORRECT YOUR INFORMATION.
RE - DBS BATTERIES.
LAST TEN YEARS IN AUSTRALIA. I WISH.
MY BATTERY WAS EXPECTED TO LAST 5 YEARS, WHEN INFACT IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AFTER JUST OVER THREE YEARS.
THAT'S STILL OK, IF IT NEEDS A CHANGE EVERY THREE YEARS, I CAN LIVE WITH THAT OK.
MAYBE SOME BATTERIES HAVE LASTED TEN YEARS, IT DEPENDS ON THE SETTINGS. AS YET I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY LASTING TEN YEARS. I WILL CLARIFY THIS WITH MY CLINIC NEXT WEEK. I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.
MAINTAIN A WINNING POSITION.
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