What Doctors Say About Medtronic DBS Therapy

Dr. Martinez answers some of his patients' common questions about Medtronic DBS Therapy.

When should patients consider DBS Therapy?

Essential tremor can strike at any age. When it's milder, we oftentimes try from 3 to 5 different medications. The more severe the tremor though, and the more disabling it is, or the more rapidly progressing it is in a person, the earlier we should be thinking about DBS Therapy. When it's really beginning to interfere with activities of daily living and we've tried the first 2 to 3 medications and gotten little or no response, we should be thinking fairly quickly about DBS Therapy as a treatment option.

How do you describe the implant procedure to your patients?

I begin by describing the neurostimulator as similar to a heart pacemaker, except in this case it's a pacemaker for the brain. The neurostimulator goes under the skin of the chest. The wire runs under the skin, up behind the ear, and the surgeon makes a small hole through the skull and places the wire deep in the brain. At the tip of the wire we can provide electrical stimulation that will calm the area of the brain that is generating this tremor.

How painful is the implant procedure?

Whenever I discuss the surgical procedure with patients, they always want to know, is this going to be painful? The answer is, during the first part of the procedure, most people have very little to no pain or if they have some, it's usually taken care of with non-prescription pain medication. And it's usually very short-lived. The second stage of the procedure, with the placement of the lead and the neurostimulator in the chest – that can cause some pain, aching, and discomfort. That pain may last for a few days.

Will DBS Therapy make a difference in my tremor symptoms right away?

The calming nature oftentimes kicks in fairly quickly after we turn on the device. While we can usually make a big difference in just a few programming sessions, it will take some adjustment over the intervening weeks after the system is implanted to fine-tune the settings.

Next: Education & Events

The doctor listed on this page is paid by Medtronic as a consultant. Medtronic asked for his statements regarding his experience with DBS Therapy.

DBS Therapy requires brain surgery. Risks of brain surgery may include serious complications such as coma, bleeding inside the brain, seizures and infection. Some of these may be fatal. Once implanted, the system may become infected, parts may wear through your skin, and the lead or lead/extension connector may move. Medtronic DBS Therapy could stop suddenly because of mechanical or electrical problems. Any of these situations may require additional surgery or cause your symptoms to return.

Medtronic DBS Therapy may cause worsening of some motor symptoms associated with your movement disorder, and may cause speech and language impairments. Stimulation parameters may be adjusted to minimize side effects and attain maximum symptom control. In patients receiving Medtronic DBS Therapy, depression, suicidal thoughts and suicide have been reported.

This therapy is not for everyone. Please consult your physician. A prescription is required. For a complete list of adverse events that have been associated with the therapy, please refer to Important Safety Information.