ACCORDING TO MEDTRONICSDBS.COM, WHICH I ASSUME MAKES EQUIPMENT USED FOR DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION SURGERIES:
Why Consider DBS Therapy Now?
The medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease are normally very effective for treating symptoms at first. Over time, many people find that these medicines do not work as well as they used to. When this happens, their doctors make changes to their therapy. At the time medicines stop working as well, one option is DBS Therapy.
How DBS Helps
DBS Therapy for Parkinson's has been approved by the FDA to treat shaking, stiffness, or difficulty moving. DBS Therapy has helped people continue working, care for their families, return to favorite activities, and experience the joy of doing the simplest things in life again.
The Right Time for DBS
The symptoms of Parkinson's get worse over time. During the course of the disease, there is a period when DBS Therapy can do the most good to help control your symptoms. The right time for DBS is when your body stops responding to medication as well as it used to, but before your medicine stops working completely. If you wait too long, DBS Therapy will not be an option.
THAT'S STRIKE TWO IN MY WIFE'S ARGUMENT ABOUT HAVING DBS. STRIKE ONE IS EVEN SIMPLE SURGERIES.
So don't think of DBS as something for later, but as something to explore now.
Signs Levodopa Is Losing Effectiveness
You are probably taking levodopa to control your movement symptoms. Brand names include Parcopa, Sinemet, and Stalevo.
After 2 to 5 years, many people find that levodopa is becoming less effective at controlling their symptoms. Signs to watch for include:
- More hours a day with symptoms.
- Longer waits for relief to kick in after taking a dose.
- Wearing off of the medication between doses.
- Needing to take it more often, including at night.
- Drug-induced side effects like uncontrolled movements.
No comments:
Post a Comment