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Rick DBS is now used for clinical depression (with different brain target than subthalmic nucleus). Oddly, I don't get depressed. I opted for earlier rather than later, as any major surgery is harder on a person as you get older, but I have not yet encountered studies which address this issue. DBS has not helped stiffness, poor balance, loss of fine motor skills (I too have chronic runny nose!!), etc. like it did tremor which drove me nuts. I feel like I'm strangling when I try to speak and people can't understand me. This is especially frustrating because people don't really understand why I don't use the telephone. The medical jury is still out as to whether this is due to PD or DBS. I could probably find out by turning my NTs off, but don't dare. As to loss of mental acuity, I started doing crosswords after DBS and Mom died between surgeries (she did crosswords). Again, don't know of any studies re this. I feel mentally sharper. And, don't know what I'd be like after 17 years PD with no meds without DBS. It was worth it. If I've missed anything email me again. -----Original Message----- From: Rick McGirr Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 4:42 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Benefits of DBS/Rick Ray, yes I do have tremor. It started out as almost nothing, but it has slowly but thoroughly ensconced itself in my life after almost 12 years. These days I am wondering just how much more of it I can take. Tremors have developed in my legs and feet, and this makes it difficult to do many things, from standing to walking to operating the pedals on my keyboards. And it has gotten to the point that I can hardly hold a coffee in my hand without some of it escaping over a vibrating rim. Your vocal problems are a worry to me, because I sing a bit with the band. I'd hate to think that I would have to give up singing harmonies, and I do sing lead on a song every once in a while. I'm also concerned that the DBS would give me even more depression than I have now. I understand there are a couple of different targets in the brain, and at least one of them causes increased depression. I look at the people I have met who have had DBS, and this is a guess, but they seem a bit cloudy upstairs. You, Ray, are not included. Are there a significant number that have lost mental acuity after having DBS? Is there a way to determine if it's too early or too late to have this procedure? Does DBS help manage other symptoms like slowness of gait or fatigue or difficulty swallowing or chronic runny nose? (one of my favorites!) Thank you for keeping the info coming, Ray. Rick -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rayilyn Brown Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 9:10 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Benefits of DBS/Rick As you well know every PWP is different, but I can assure you DBS stops tremors, my worst symptom. As Laureen has pointed out re the other symptoms, it is difficult to tell if continued progression is due to PD or DBS. This is especially true with speaking difficulty - mine began after DBS 10 years ago. Laureen and I have had PD 17 years, but she is much younger than me and can take PD meds, which I can’t. I have to use an electric wheelchair, she uses a cane I believe. The decider may whether you have tremor or not. good luck. Ray Rayilyn Brown Past Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn