Jan 12, 2012 (Started Jun 28, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for Parkinson's disease)
  • Effectiveness
    Major (for dystonia)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: One time
Advice & Tips: My DBS Neurostimulator FINALLY kicked in after close to one year of monthly programming visits to the DBS clinic at Robert Wood Johnson medical center. I am doing MUCH better now. I have not reduced my meds but that's OK. It has brought me back to life and some days I almost feel like my old self.
Cost: $25-49 monthly
Side effects: dizziness, neck and shoulder muscle soreness

Nov 18, 2010 (Started Jun 28, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Can't tell (for dystonia)
  • Effectiveness
    Can't tell (for Parkinson's disease)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (dizziness, neck and shoulder muscle soreness)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: One time
Advice & Tips: AS OF 11/2010: Right now I am in the middle of programming sessions for the IPG battery in my chest. I go once a month to a "DBS clinic" Robert Wood Johnsohn Medical Center in New Brunswick NJ, USA. I see the DBS programmer and a neurologist. Even though I only have PD on my left side, it is quite severe. Unfortunately, the neuro has INCREASED my meds and the DBS programming has been very very slow - each time I get the voltage increased the PD seems to "compensate" It has been 5 months since the surgery and so far the benefits have been minimal. One unexpected positive effect has been reduced sense of bladder urgency. The surgery itself was not bad since they only had to install the wire lead on the right side of my brain.
Side effects: dizziness, neck and shoulder muscle soreness
  • 1 helpful mark