THS questions and answers
Source: www.medtronic.com
Does DBS therapy prevent potential future treatment or cure options?
No, DBS therapy does not prevent you from receiving future therapy options. DBS therapy is reversible and the system can be removed again if necessary.
Question for Parkinson's patients: Is DBS therapy only suitable for treating tremors (tremors)?
No, DBS therapy also works with stiffness and slow or restricted motor skills and can provide some relief for dystonic muscle spasms and non-motor symptoms (such as sleep disorders and urinary tract symptoms).
Question for Parkinson's patients: Is DBS therapy the “last resort” for Parkinson's?
Under no circumstance. The favorable time window for DBS therapy includes the period in which Parkinson's patients no longer respond as well to medication as before, but the medication still shows an effect. If patients wait too long, this time window closes and the benefits of DBS therapy can no longer be as great as would be the case if therapy were started earlier.
More than 175.000 people worldwide have been treated with DBS therapy. She has been helping people for more than 30 years.
How long does it take for DBS therapy to take effect after implantation?
As a rule, the DBS system is not activated until the patient has recovered from the operation. After activation, the annoying symptoms may already be relieved. However, optimal results are usually only achieved after several programming sessions with a doctor or a nurse.
Do I feel the stimulation?
Many DBS system patients are unaware of the stimulation at all. On the other hand, some patients experience a brief tingling sensation when stimulation is activated for the first time. If the sensation caused by the stimulation changes or becomes uncomfortable, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Can I go back to my normal daily activities?
For the first few weeks after surgery, patients who have undergone DBS surgery should avoid strenuous activity, arm movements above shoulder level, and excessive neck stretching. Discuss with your doctor how you can gradually resume activities that were difficult before surgery.
Is the neurostimulator visible?
Depending on your body type, the neurostimulator can be perceptible as a small bulge under the skin. However, the neurostimulator is fully implantable and generally invisible.
Is the DBS therapy always the same over the long term?
No. DBS therapy is customizable, so stimulation can be readjusted over time to maintain a good adjustment of patient symptoms. If necessary, the system can also be switched off or removed.
Can DBS Therapy Damage Brain Tissue?
One of the major advantages of DBS therapy compared to previous surgical procedures is that the electrical stimulation does not damage the nerve tissue in the brain. Instead, the stimulation stops or reduces the electrical signals from the brain that are responsible for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. If necessary, the effects of the Therapy can also be reversed at any time.
Are medical screening procedures safe with the implanted DBS system?
Consult your doctor before undergoing any medical treatment or diagnostic evaluation. This also includes MRI examinations, breast cancer screenings, electrocautery and the use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Diathermy (treatment with deep heat) should never be performed on patients with an implanted DBS system.
Can I pass the body scanners at the airport with my implanted DBS neurostimulator?
It is recommended that you show your Medtronic ID and request a scan by scanning. If you still have to pass a body scanner, please refer to the Patient Instructions for Use for further instructions.
To inform the security staff, you can download a corresponding declaration here.
