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What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

Category: Equipment

Most popular types: Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation

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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical treatment which stimulates the brain with mild electrical signals. DBS is used to treat tremor and other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. DBS has been applied to the thalamus, subthalamic nucleus and the pallidum areas of the brain.

See patients taking Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Reported purpose & perceived effectiveness
Purpose Patients Evaluations Perceived Effectiveness
Parkinson's Disease 290 136
Dyskinesia 21 10
Stiffness/Spasticity 21 9
Tremor(s) 9 11
Dystonia 7 3
Improve mobility 4 5

Show all 32 reasons taken

  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
See all 67 patients that have used Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Side effects

Side effects as an overall problem

Side effects as an overall problem
Severity Evaluations
Severe 5
Moderate 23
Mild 60
None 68

Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Side effect Patients
Balance problems 8
Weight gain 7
Dyskinesia 6
Speech problems 6
Depressed mood 4
Headaches 4

Show all 83 reported side effects

Dosages

Based on patients currently using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Dosage Patients
daily 49
one time 5
as needed 3
all the time (24/7) 2
1 other every other week 1
15minutes as needed 1
monthly 1
yearly 1

Why patients stopped taking Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Multiple reasons could be selected

Reason Patients
Other 4
Did not seem to work 3
Doctor's advice 2
Side effects too severe 2
Course of treatment ended 1
Expense 1
See all 97 patients who’ve stopped using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Duration

Currently using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Duration Patients
1 - 6 months 2
6 months - 1 year 2
1 - 2 years 6
2 - 5 years 29
5 - 10 years 24
10 years or more 5

Stopped using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Duration Patients
Less than 1 month 86
1 - 6 months 1
6 months - 1 year 5
1 - 2 years 2
2 - 5 years 2
5 - 10 years 1
Adherence
Adherence Evaluations
Always 140
Usually 7
Sometimes 3
Never taken as prescribed 6
Burden
Burden Evaluations
Very hard to take 5
Somewhat hard to take 17
A little hard to take 28
Not at all hard to take 106
Cost per month
Cost per month Evaluations
$200+ 20
$100-199 2
$50-99 0
$25-49 3
< $25 60
Not specified 71
Last updated:

26 patient evaluations for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

116 members have decided to share their profiles only with other members of PatientsLikeMe.

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rmabey
1892 thumb
rmabey
Sex: M
Data Quality: 2 stars
On
Mouth/throat: mild
Arms: mild
Chest: mild
Legs: mild
I am: g
I have:
Parkinson's

See rmabey's full Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) history

Jun 8, 2016 (Started Feb 11, 2014)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for Parkinson's Disease)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: The current voltage settings on my neuro-stimulator are 3.5volts on my right side and 2.4volts on left side. These settings can be adjusted as needed by using my neuro-stimulator However, these settings have not been changed in several months as there has not been a need to change these. DBS helps with tremor but not with balance.
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 0 helpful marks
daddytom
5757 thumb
daddytom
Sex: M
Data Quality: 3 stars
On
Mouth/throat: moderate
Arms: mild
Chest: mild
Legs: mild
I am: vg
I have:
Parkinson's

See daddytom's full Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) history

May 27, 2016 (Started May 06, 2013)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for Parkinson's Disease)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: Be sure to ask lots of questions and make sure your neuro surgeon has done a number of DBS surgeries. Ask for references
  • 0 helpful marks
gk dayton oh
8251 thumb
gk dayton oh
Sex: M
Data Quality: 2 stars
On
Mouth/throat: moderate
Arms: mild
Chest: none
Legs: mild
I am: g
I have:
Parkinson's

See gk dayton oh's full Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) history

Mar 31, 2016 (Started Feb 01, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for Parkinson's Disease)
  • Effectiveness
    Major (for On to off fluctuations worsening)
  • Side effects
    Mild (Slurred speech)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily

Dec 15, 2015 (Started Feb 01, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for Parkinson's Disease)
  • Effectiveness
    Major (for On to off fluctuations worsening)
  • Side effects
    None
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: Daily
Advice & Tips: DBS is critical for me to live a more normal life!! When I have experienced my DBS being turned off, I can't hardly move, my face becomes a mask, I feel terrible, can't dress my self, etc.   If you have had PD for 4-5 years, I recommend that you definitely should check if you are a candidate for the procedure!!
  • 2 helpful marks
Last updated:
Showing 3 of 26 patient evaluations for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)