DBS Surgery

[annmariebaird]

Good morning -

It is now four months since my DBS surgery, and I am feeling stronger every day. The time spent in my blue chair has seen a substantial reduction - in fact, I catch myself avoiding it by folding clothes or dusting, things I don't particularly like.

As you can see, my hair is growing back nicely!

If you are considering this surgery and have questions, please either post them here or if you would like, I have created an email address where you can ask the questions directly. I will answer them honestly - I don't sugar coat my experiences. [e-mail]

Have a good day!

Annie

[ion_ion]

Thank you!

[Xenos]

Very nice of you to keep us posted Annmarie.

Good news are so nice to read about.

[Astra7]

Great news.

[Sleeplessparki]

You look great...... it feels funny how I’m so excited for my upcoming DBS procedure. I’m scheduled for June 12th and counting the days. I pray everything goes as well for me. Thanks Annemarie for keeping us in the loop stay well.....

[annmariebaird in reply to Sleeplessparki]

You stay strong - I am cheering for you!! Post your surgery success when you can! This is the song that I played on my phone as we were driving to the hospital for my DBS!

youtube.com/watch?v=YIbYCOi...(Not working as expected?)

[Sleeplessparki]

Great song

[annmariebaird]

When I need an uplift I listen to it!

[98Rob]

I had DBS surgery in 2007. It was the best thing I ever did for my PD. I highly recommend it to anyone who qualifies

[annmariebaird in reply to 98Rob]

Thank you 98Rob! Awesome!

[Coot18 in reply to 98Rob]

congratulations!

so, can you or Annmarie share what it took for you to qualify?

one of my friends had DBS

talked about ongoing tweaks to the programming

as his brain adjusted to the DBS

have you done any adjustment?

[annmariebaird in reply to Coot18]

The parameters for qualification may differ with each neurologist or facility, but for me to qualify, I had to be healthy (heart, lungs, nervous system), had to respond well to Sinemet, and had to pass an intense psychological test to determine if I had dementia or other memory disorder. I am 4 months out from my surgery, and I am told that tweaks can take place even up to a year. I feel I have leveled out and am happy with where I am. I did the last adjustments on my own. It is quite simple.

Hope this helps!

Annie

[DianeF]

Thanks! You look wonderful!

[annmariebaird in reply to DianeF]

Thank you!

[DBS2018]

Hello Annmarie , thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am on the list for DBS and will probably be getting my turn before the end of this year as I was put on the waiting list last July. My question for you is with regards to going off all of your meds and getting to the hospital. I am very worried about my ability to get through the ordeal and make it so the hospital. I have done it once already for my evaluation and managed to survive the ordeal. I also have the same concern for getting fitted with the halo on the day if the surgery. A have a lot of tremor and painful dystonia when off meds. How do they deal with this when performing the procedure?

[annmariebaird in reply to DBS2018]

You will be fine. They are fully prepared for your tremors - you won't be the first to rattle and roll into their surgery center, I'm sure. As for the halo, I was under anesthetic when they did that, so you will do fine. Congratulations on being on the list! Keep me posted. Where are you located that the list is so long?

Annie

[DBS2018 in reply to annmariebaird]

Thanks for the words of support. I am from Salmon Arm , BC in Canada. Where are you located and how long of a wait did you have. Our wait times her in BC is about 14-16 months. A very long time for sure.

[annmariebaird in reply to DBS2018]

I am in Boise Idaho. From the time I was approved to surgery date was about four months. That time has increased to about six months now. Are you scheduled now?

[DBS2018 in reply to annmariebaird]

No I am not scheduled yet. I expect to get 3 months notice and am holding on until then hoping that things don't change much.

[annmariebaird in reply to DBS2018]

This is probably the hardest wait you will endure.

[imani100 in reply to annmariebaird]

Dear Annmariebaird

I had DBS surgery almost a month ago. I am still not balanced but already don't have the Dickensian that was troubling me and filling better.

The doctor said it will time but in the end of the process I am going to go back 5 years in my symptoms and have 10 good years. Can I wish for more?

I read all your posts and it was a great comfort for me.

Thank you Annmarie!

[annmariebaird in reply to imani100]

I am so pleased for you!

[Cbgs]

Blessed !!

Delighted in ur success!!!