The following story recounts the experiences of one person using Activa® DBS to suppress movement-related symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Medtronic invited him to share his story candidly. As you read this story, please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular patient. Results vary; not every response is the same.
For many years Chris worked as a delivery truck driver. He was always a physically active person playing sports in high school and keeping busy as a handyman and a gardener.
But a few years ago Chris noticed something wrong when he was out walking with one of his three daughters. "My arm swing on my right side just quit," he recalled. "I started dragging my foot. I had no idea what was happening. I just knew that it was an issue." A doctor recognized that the symptoms pointed to Parkinson's disease (PD) and suggested that he go see a neurologist. The neurologist confirmed that Chris had PD.
Chris' symptoms progressed quickly. Medications helped, but he still had a lot of off time. Within a year of being diagnosed he couldn't use his right hand, which meant he couldn't write. He developed slowness and rigidity, cramping and involuntary head movements. He was taking larger doses of medications that caused dyskinesias—involuntary movements caused by medications.
Chris stopped driving and started loading trucks. "I still did a lot," he said, "but my life basically became just work and sleep."
Things began taking a turn for the better when Chris' neurologist told him about Activa DBS. He attended a seminar on Activa DBS and decided to have the procedure. On the day of his procedure Chris spent a long day in the operating room and stayed that night in the hospital. A few weeks later the Activa DBS system was turned on. After some programming adjustments Chris noticed that his body loosened up. The next day he felt even better. A few days later, his first morning back at work loading trucks was like a transformation.
"I could tell that I wasn't going through the normal problems in the morning," he said. "It usually would take an hour and a half of cramping, walking weird, and the like. That just was mostly gone. I developed a lot more confidence at work."
The best news is that Chris has regained a lot of the hobbies that PD took away. He's frequently out in the garden picking vegetables. He's been out on the driveway again, playing basketball with his daughter Trisha.
Chris returns to his neurologists for periodic programming sessions. Although PD is progressive, with Activa DBS the stimulation can be adjusted to lessen some of the progressive symptoms of the disease.
"Activa DBS has revived my optimism that life is possible, even with Parkinson's," Chris said. "It's not as though my Parkinson's is gone. But it's under control."