DBS

[paloma]

IF I HAVE THE BRAIN STIMULATION WIRES IVE BEEN TOLD I CANNOT BE NEAR ANYTHING WITH MAGNETS. AM I GOING TO BECOME A PRISONER OF A SURGERY THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HELP ME . I DON'T WANT TO BECOME A HERMIT..AND ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS MAGNETS

[Aussie]

No, The only magnet fields you must think about är the safety scans att the airport. If you have a card or letter from the hospital, you go round the magnet scan and they "frisk you". the other is the MRI at the hospitals.That's the only 2 major worries. People I know that have had DBS think it's the best they

had done. (I am on the waiting list for one)

[srarndt]

Nah.

I've researched this issue and found that some of the earlier systems had a problem with close proximity to very powerful magnets but they had overcome that problem with most magnets encountered in day to day life. Now 16 months later I have yet to need to use the remote control that enables to you turn it back on if by dumb luck you got exposed to a unusually strong magnetic field. Even a few weeks back when I absent mindedly walked through an emergency room Magnetic metal weapons scanner - no problem.

And yet I carry my remote with me - at least when i travel. Other wise I am typically close enough to home to go home and grab it if needed. The increased quality of life that I've experienced FAR outweighs any concerns about magnets! I think the cautionary comments are mostly legal CYA, just my opinion.

[Paul_Dineen]

Srarndt,

Thanks for the description. I'm a DBS candidate, and it's good to keep hearing that people are glad they did it.

[jazzfan53]

I do not regret for a second getting the DBS done. It gave me my life back after going downhill fast with more and more symptoms. You need to be patient and have a positive outlook. I have experienced NO problems with magnets - I had my card from Medtronics that I show to the airport security people and they let me bypass the scanner with the magnets. Don't worry about that. Never a problem going in and out of retail stores either.

[PDdiagat40]

I had DBS implant in '08...immediately cut all meds in half...took one yr to get it tuned for best performance...most side effects of carbidopa levodopa are now controllable because I only take 4 25/100 dosage per day. The airport security magnets are my worst problem...they will shut system off or make it run wildly...btw medtronic gives you an on/off gizmo where you can return the stimulator to your prior settings.

Retail stores and stereo speakers have never been a problem just airport security. The surgery is a major one and should not be undertaken until the meds side effects are substantial but it is a winner for me.

[FifteenyearsPD]

Was diagnosed 15 years ago. I have done all I can do. ....exercise, meds, diet and positive attitude. Decided several months ago. I needed someone to help me. I have gone thru extensive evaluation and am scheduled for DBS in February .... Any improvement will be wonderful. I am ready. My daughter had two questions about post procedure. If I could not use microwave or get thru security at the airport. Forget it.

Surround yourself with positive people and hone your sense of humor

These two things have kept me going