Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's Disease: Dr. Emily Levin 

I truly hope that it will (or did) go well for you. You too deserve better quality of life!

is it painful after the surgery like you had your head hurting for how many days ?

Thank you for your response. I'm not sure how I would handle LIVE surgery either! It seems that your time has arrived. Best to you. (did not check date.) I'm sure any new comments of yours would be appreciated.

No, not at all. I'd say maybe you could compare it to humans just having started the neolithic age, compared to the stone age that came before it and not yet in the bronze age. The science behind DBS is very intricate, but the DBS device itself is still very crude. Think of it more like a cable with multiple electrodes that send an electric pulse to neurons close to it. The science behind being able to figure out that it is possible and where and how to place the electrodes has taken many, many decades of research. But the device itself "just" gives neurons "electric shocks" like a pacemaker that "zaps" the muscles of the heart with electricity to create a more regular heart beat rate at a good pace. Your body already uses its own natural electric impulses to contract muscles, so we are able to do this artificially. Similar with neurons in the brain, they also use electric signaling. I'm oversimplifying a whole lot, but maybe you get the idea. So it may still be hundreds of years until we can change the opinions of someone with a brain implant.

I’ve had bi-lateral DBS installs, at two different times about a year apart. 1st in 2013 was around $40k, 2nd in 2014 was around $36k. I don’t know of a single patient who has been to go completely off medications, except at the very beginning and even then only for a short period of time, ie in my case I stopped taking medications for 6 to 8 weeks but then they became necessary, but not in the same quantity. I went from dosing 17-18 times a day B4 DBS to 5-6 times a day after DBS. 5 years later I’m still dosing 6 times a day but now w/ heavier duty meds, levodopa reg + cr + neupro patch 4mg. But, if I didn’t have DBS, well I really hate to think of where I might be. My wife and I are quite satisfied w/ my DBS and yes, I’d do it all again. I give all praise, honor and glory to God for His leading me through this. Seek His wisdom first, and do it allowing Him to work both in and through you, and everything’s gonna be alright!

What about the doctors?

Hope it goes well