Amazing Surgery for Parkinsons Disease that I never knew existed

[john14_18]

My fishing buddy has had Parkinsons for almost 5 years now. In the past year, he had become progressively worse to the point he couldn't even get a glass of water to his mouth without spilling all of it because of his tremors.. Yesterday he underwent Deep Brain Stimulation ( DBS ) surgery where they implant an electrode in the center of his brain. In a few weeks, they will implant a battery in his shoulder and connect to the electrode. When activated, the electrode stimulates a nerve in his brain that will reduce or stop his tremors. The surgery has been performed over 90,000 times in the past 5 years with a high level of success. Yesterday, they activated it for 2 seconds and it completely stopped the tremors. I hope that it works this well when all his surgeries are complete.
The surgery lasted 3 1/2 hrs and he was required to be awake while it was done because the surgeon will be asking him to do certain things so they know the electrode is in the correct position.. I have attached a couple of pics of him just before he went into surgery with the frame he had to wear. During surgery, it is locked down so he cannot move his head.
There is only one surgeon that does this in Alabama and you have to have Parkinsons at last 4 years and then undergo a battery of physical and psychological tests before they will schedule the surgery. Parkinsons is such a horrible disease that also affects your mobility and speech. Just thought this info might be useful to someone.

 

[Model 19 6"]

Prayers for best possible outcome.

 

[Doogie85]

Good info. I have a very dear friend who has been dealing with Parkinson's for about 5-6 years now. It has been tough to see him getting progressively worse.
I had never been exposed to what this disease can do and was not really aware prior to seeing my buddy's experience, how difficult and "cruel" Parkinson's Disease is.
Again, thanks for the information.

 

[rwsmith]

As far as medicine goes....

...these are 'the good old days.' Hope your friend gets the best results.

 

[AzShooter]

My Parkinson's is under control with a medicine called Carbadopa Lupadopa. It keeps my tremors down thank God. But an operation to eliminate it would be perfect.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Prayers for your friend.

 

[max]

My cousin's son-in-law had it done at Mayo several years ago.

 

[Mr.Harry]

This disease took my mother down after a long decline 4 years ago. My pop was a true saint in serving my mother’s needs. Even once she had to leave the house for the care a facility could give, my pop was there at least twice every single day and fed her her meals personally. Until the end. As fate would have it, or the mysteries of The Lord’s workings, lightning struck twice, and my pop was diagnosed with it too. Very late in his life at 79. Just about a year after my mother passed from it. He is about to have some kind of thyroid surgery that they are optimistic of improving his condition. Aside from the Parkinson’s, the man is in nearly immaculate health. I pray this surgery works for your friend, and I will mention it to my siblings when I see them during the holiday tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[bearman49709]

My dad had this for over 20 years before he passed away at the age of 88.
It was hard watching him try to eat or drink. Now one of my brothers has it.

 

[VaTom]

Thanks. I also have a close friend that has had Parkinson's for 6 years. His tremors aren't bad now but has other effects. Vietnam vet and retired Navy Reserve. Terrible disease. My friend loves to travel and do outside activities such as hiking and paddling. More difficult now. Recently had a work up at University of Florida medical center.

Great to know of new techniques.

 

[Faulkner]

The surgery has been performed over 90,000 times in the past 5 years with a high level of success.

. . . . Parkinsons is such a horrible disease that also affects your mobility and speech. Just thought this info might be useful to someone.

My wife is one of those 90,000 patients who has successfully had DBS surgery. She was diagnosed with Parkinsons 13 years ago (she was only 45) and had the DBS surgery 5 years ago. Her original DBS unit's battery was rated with a service life of 4 years and was recently replaced with a new rechargeable unit that has a service life of 9-10 years.

Without the DBS unit my wife would be confined to a wheelchair. As it is with the DBS unit, she still has challenges with the disease but she can pretty much do as she pleases and the medications she was previously taking prior to DBS surgery (which had significant side effects) have been reduced by 90%. She has the ability to increase or decrease the voltage of her DBS unit as the needs require using it's wireless programmer. Also, how much protein she eats has an impact on it's performance, too much or too little have different effects so that's something we monitor.

As a long time and accomplished photographer she still engages in wildlife photography, she drives, babysits our grandson, grocery shops . . . whatever she wants although she does have reduced endurance. I agree that Parkinsons is a horrible disease and I don't want to sound like DBS is a cure, it's not, but it certainly has a significant positive impact on the symptoms and quality of life of this progressively degenerative disease.

 

[john14_18]

Just wanted to update everyone. After 2 surgeries, the doctors activated the stimulator implanted in my friend's brain today and it stopped his tremors completely ( Thank you Lord ! ). His mobility has also improved considerably and once they turned it on, he was able to drink a glass of water without spilling it for the first time in almost 5 years. Thank all of you for your prayers.

 

[Jst1mr]

I watched Parkinson's take down the person I loved and admired the most - my Dad. He did not have a lot of education credentials, but was one of the smartest people I know...if there was something new to him, he took some time to learn about it and would quickly become a near-expert...truly amazing.

The disease destroyed him in just a few years. The operation mentioned (DBS)was fairly new at the time, and he was judged as being too old for a brain-invasive procedure. The neurologist he worked with brewed up an amazing variety of drugs, constantly fine tuning the cocktail when it proved ineffective or the side effects too strong. At its worst, when it managed to quell the disabling tremors it resulted in frightening hallucinations (military troops sneaking through the woods, dead relatives sitting in the living room, etc.). It would break my heart to see him wave his cane across a chair to see if the occupant was real or not. Full-time care came along, which really broke his spirit and sense of independence - it wasn't long then until he passed, virtually unrecognizable from the man I knew and loved, and learned so much from.

Every time I struggle with a tiny part or stubborn spring, I dread that it may be the first symptom showing up for me...

Parkinson's stands with Alzheimer's and other devastating, debilitating, conditions that destroy the patient as well as quite often the family. Of all the medical miracles that come along, it so frustrating that true, curing-type progress has been so slow in some of these conditions - especially when it is a loved one that is suffering.