My enthusiasm for Pallidotomy has not waned and I continue to celebrate
the life-changing effects of the bi-lateral Pallidotomy performed by Dr. Iacono
on Dec. 1, 1993. I can only wish the same for each of you dear people out there
daily fighting with Parkinson's Disease . For my part in this battle I am
committed to bringing you an honest self-evaluation report every 6 months. So
here goes in tabular form.
SYMPTOM BEFORE AFTER
1 YEAR POST-
SURGERY SURGERY
OPT
Tremor Severe Gone Gone
Dyskinesia Extreme Gone Gone
Sweating Excessive Gone Gone
Sleep Disturbance Great, Gone
Gone
Awake 3-4 X
Eyelids During Slightly Open Closed Closed
Sleep
Shuffle Step Definite Gone Gone
Gait Freeze Yes Gone Gone
Sense Smell Gone Restored Restored
Aching Muscles- Definite Gone Gone
Back Problems
Akinesia Yes Gone Gone
Bradykinesia Definite Gone Gone
Sexual Staying Minimal Unbelievably Unbelievably Power
Enhanced Enhanced
Stress Severely Affected Totally Unaffected Totally
Unaffected
Drooling None Slight Slight
Urgency to Urinate Definite Gone Gone
Dystonia None None None
Voice Weak Strong Greatly Improved
Speech Affected Normal Much Better
Shortness of Breath Often Gone Gone
Handwriting Severely Affected Normal Normal
On-Off Definite Eliminated Eliminated
Appetite Gone Restored Restored
Stiffiness Very Definite Gone Gone
Naps 2-3 hrs/day 1-2hr/2X wk. 1-2hr/2X wk.
SYMPTOM 1 1/2 YEAR POST-OPT 2 YEAR POST OPT
Tremor Gone Gone
Dyskinesia Gone Gone
Sweating Gone Gone
Sleep Disturbance Gone Gone
Eyelids During Closed Closed
Sleep
Shuffle Step Gone Gone
Gait Freeze Gone Gone
Sense Smell Restored Restored
Aching Muscles- Gone Gone
Back Problems
Akinesia Gone Gone
Bradykinesia Slight Slight
Sexual Staying Unbelievably Enhanced Unbelievably Enhanced
Power
Stress Totally Unaffected Totally Unaffected
Drooling Slight Occasional
Urgency to Urinate Slight Occasional
Dystonia None None
Voice Definitely Improved Definitely Improved
Speech Better Better
Shortness of Breath Gone Gone
Handwriting Normal Normal
On-Off Eliminated Eliminated
Appetite Restored Restored
Stiffiness Gone Gone
Naps 1-2hr/2X wk. 1-2hr/2X wk.
MEDICINE SCHEDULE
Sinemet
CR50-200 Sinemet 25-100 Eldepryl Amantdne
PRE-OPT 3.5 1 2 3
Sinemet 10-100
POST-OPT 3.5 .5 1 1
6 MO. POST-OPT 3.5 .5 1 1
1 YR. POST-OPT 4 .5 1 1
1 1/2 YR.POST-OPT 4 .5 .5 1
2 YR. POST-OPT 4 1 .5 1
Permax Zoloft Hydergine
.5mg 50 mg
PRE-OPT 4 1
POST-OPT 1.5 1
6 MO. POST-OPT 1.5 1 4
1 YR. POST-OPT 1.5 1 4
1 1/2 YR.POST-OPT 1.5 1 4
2 YR. POST-OPT 1.5 1 4
Since my surgery I have continued goIng out to Loma Linda every Tuesday
to assist Dr. Iacono in whatever way possible. I have seen literally hundreds of
patients pass through the doors of Loma Linda many of whom have elected to have
a unilateral Pallidotomy, a bilateral Pallidotomy or a combination
Pallidotomy/Thalamotomy. Conservatively 85% of these patients have a good
result ranging from a C+ to an A+. 10-12% receive minimal help, but no harm is
done, and 3-5% have some sort of complication usually a result of bleeding. NO
ONE has died as the result of this surgery or attendant complications.
These statistics are amazing and will in time be published and
validated. IN THE MEANTIME I APPEAL TO THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE IN THE MEDICAL
COMMUNITY TO QUIT YOUR PETTY INFIGHTING, TURF BATTLES, AND PROFESSIONAL
JEALOUSIES. PUT THEM ASIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PATIENTS YOU SERVE, LET LOVE
AND COMPASSION RULE THE DAY AND LET S JOIN TOGETHER IN EMBRACING THIS SURGICAL
PROCEDURE THAT OFFERS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF PARKINSON S A VERY
REAL HOPE FOR REVERSING THIS RUTHLESS DISEASE.
To any neurosurgeons, who are sincerely interested in learning
this procedure, I would invite you to come out, visit clinic and observe Dr
Iacono operating as increasing numbers of neurosurgeons are doing. Learn to do
the procedure using MRI scan, brain maps, ventriculographs and a thermocouple
radiofrequency lesion probe in less than three hours without tedious
micro-electrode recordings which add many hours to the surgery and nothing to
the results.
Next to helping the Parkinson s patient Dr Iacono s passion is
for teaching others. I have heard him say repeatedly my operating room is open
to all.
As a Parkinson s community we are working hard to provide funding
for Parkinson s research through the efforts of Joan Samuelson, PAN, and Senator
Hatfield s sponsorship of the Udall bill. We are seeking greater cooperation
and perhaps a uniting of the various Parkinson s National groups. It is equally
important that within the medical community there be a whole new level of
acceptance and cooperation so that together we can truly ease the burden and
find a cure.
LET IT BEGIN TODAY.
Dr. Don Berns
4943 Del Monte Rd.
La Canada, CA 91011
818-790-8812
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