Your expecting me now to say I feel like a million bucks and it was the best decision I have made and I would recommend DBS to everyone; close but not quite.
Yes I did feel like a million for the better part of a full year, but of no fault of the DBS my right side decided to join the game. I had expected to be tremor free for 3-5 years before having my other side done. I guess you could say I was unfortunate in that my insurance would not cover a bilateral implant. In September 2008 I was asymptomatic on my right side , so I did not appeal the decision.
Well 2009 was going to shake me up some (sorry I couldn't resist) about May/June my right hand began to tremor. It was not discouraging as it was minimal and a natural progression of the disease. What did discourage me a bit was that by October the tremor was on my entire side and severe enough to disrupt my daily life, personally and professionally. I now anticipate having my other side done this coming fall. My recommendation is really work with your doctors on the medicine cocktail and if your options there run out DBS is great temporary relief for a long term problem.
Be sure to consult your your movement disorder specialist to see if you are eligible as not everyone with PD is a good candidate.
Check back later this week for "What I wanted to be, what I was and what I will be when I grow up"
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Dear Ken,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope the surgery(s) will prove successful. I was moved by your mission statement. My husband Geoffrey was diagnosed at age 50 in Jan. 2006. The disease has certainly not been silent but we do think progress is being slowed by his diligence in physical activity and recent start of glutathione IV's.
We have just signed up to do a fundraiser with benefits to go to the MJ Fox Foundation. We will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in July 2011. We will spend our 7 th wedding anniversary on the climb and will summit on Geoffrey's 57 th birthday. We are starting a blog to open the eyes, hearts and wallets of those we need to help fund the cure.
We wish you the best! Keep us posted!
Pamela & Geoffrey Parker
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