 |
 |
Hi Ray! Thanks a lot. Like you, Laureen is glad she had the DBS surgery. I'll keep you all posted as time goes on. Yes, Laureen does have an exercise routine. She was using the stationary bike, then she asked me to buy her this pedaler (I call it). It's basically the bike pedals mounted on a little stand. She can move it around, pedal while sitting in a chair watching TV, etc. Trouble is, her left foot hurts right now, so it's hard to use either. After several years of PD and walking funny, she developed a bunion on one foot. Surgery fixed that, but now she's developed one on the other foot. It just adds to the difficulty walking, obviously. Still, Laureen is most often in great spirits. As you said, having the tremors gone was worth the DBS. And, since like you she doesn't take meds now (well, a tiny bit), those hard-to-bear dyskinesia are gone, too. Be well. Scott Scott E. Antes Northern Arizona University Department of Anthropology PO Box 15200 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 ________________________________________ From: rayilynlee [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 6:54 PM To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network Cc: [log in to unmask]; Scott E Antes Subject: Re: DBS after Two Years Scott and Laureen: Several months after I had my DBSs in summer of 2003 I started having trouble speaking. My neuro says it is due to the DBS and it has gradually gotten worse. I feel like I am strangling when I speak. I'm sorry to hear that Laureen is having the same trouble. I too have a hard time getting around and have to force myself to go out now. I don't take any meds. I got worse after my fall last year. I'm finally trying to get back to the treadmill again because that helped me walk better before. I have to be so careful l don't fall again, my balance is awful. I will "walk" in my pool when it heats up and am thinking about getting a stationary bike as studies show that helps. Does Laureen have an exercise program? The DBS was worth it as the tremors drove me nuts, my ocular migraines are gone, and I am never depressed despite everything. Ray Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------- From: "Scott E Antes" <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 3:19 PM To: <[log in to unmask]> Subject: DBS after Two Years > Hi All. Since we have so many members asking or reporting about DBS, I > wanted to comment. Two years ago this summer Laureen had her DBS surgery. > After inital problems (nightmares?) with programming, she was doing pretty > well. She was driving, shopping, visiting friends, etc. Not that she was > back to "normal," but she certainly was doing light years better than > before the surgery. Oh yes, she was using the Nupro patch after surgery, > too. > > Almost two years later, she still is virtually tremor and diskynesia free, > taking almost no meds. (Especially since Nupro was pulled from the > market.) *However*, her mobility is poor, and she sometimes (not always) > has difficulty speaking. She doesn't go to the store (even with me) very > often, because she has a hard time getting around. Even so, DBS has made > a significant and positive impact on her quality of life (and yes, on > mine). The Nupro seemed to make a postive difference, too, and we hope it > will be available again soon. Be well. Scott > > Scott E. Antes > Northern Arizona University > Department of Anthropology > PO Box 15200 > Flagstaff, AZ 86011 > _______________________________________ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkins ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn