Chris: Back to Enjoying Life

This story recounts the experience of one patient who is receiving Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy to reduce some of the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular person.

For many years Chris worked as a delivery truck driver. He was a physically active person playing sports in high school and keeping busy as a handyman and a gardener.

In his late 40s and healthy, Chris noticed something wrong one day while out walking with one of his three daughters. "My arm swing on my right side just quit," he recalls. "I started dragging my foot. I had no idea what was happening."

A doctor recognized that his symptoms pointed to Parkinson's disease and suggested that he go see a neurologist. The neurologist confirmed Chris had PD.

Looking for Symptom Relief from Medications

Chris' symptoms grew worse over time. Medications helped somewhat, but he still experienced a great deal of "off" time.

Within a year of being diagnosed he lost the use of his right hand, which meant he couldn't write. He developed slowness and rigidity, cramping, and involuntary head movements. Within a few more years he was taking larger doses of medications that caused dyskinesias (involuntary movements).

"My dyskinesias peaked between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day," Chris explains. "So I couldn't work during those hours. The dyskinesias would stop as my medication wore off each day. As a result, I was really rigid and slow after 5 p.m."

Chris stopped driving and started loading trucks. "My life basically became just work and sleep," he says.

Discovering Medtronic DBS Therapy

Things began taking a turn for the better when Chris' neurologist told him about Medtronic DBS Therapy as a treatment option for Parkinson's disease. He attended a seminar on Medtronic DBS Therapy and decided to have the procedure in May 2006.

On the day of his procedure, Chris spent several hours in the operating room and spent the night in the hospital. A few weeks later, the DBS Therapy system was turned on. After some programming adjustments, Chris noticed his body loosening up.

Risks of the Procedure and Stimulation

Chris experienced one complication while DBS Therapy was being placed. Double vision set in as the device was turned on. His doctor was concerned that the therapy might not work for Chris. Fortunately, the programming was set at a level that eliminated the double vision while also controlling the dyskinesias.

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. Occurence of "fall" has also been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Celebrating Daily Victories

On his first morning back at work loading trucks, Chris felt like a new person. "I could tell that I wasn't going through the normal problems in the morning," says Chris. "It usually would take an hour and a half of cramping and walking weirdly. That was mostly just gone. I developed a lot more confidence at work."

Chris found that the mask-like facial expression he wore as a result of Parkinson's went away after he had DBS Therapy placed. He also felt more alert.

For Chris, the best part about DBS Therapy is that he has regained the ability to do tasks that Parkinson's disease took away. Once again he is a delivery truck driver, working 10.5 hour shifts. He's frequently out in the garden picking vegetables, and he's back out on the driveway, playing basketball with his daughter Trisha.

In the years since he began receiving DBS Therapy, Chris' PD has progressed. He walks with a slight limp and his medications do not loosen him up as well as they once did. The DBS Therapy, however, continues to control the medication side effects so he does not experience dyskinesias.

"DBS Therapy has revived my optimism that life is possible, even with Parkinson's," Chris says. "It's not as though my Parkinson's is gone. But it's under control. DBS Therapy gave me back years of a good job that I couldn't have hoped for without the therapy. I feel like a new person!"

Next: Jerry

Medtronic invited this patient to share his story candidly. Not everyone who receives Medtronic DBS Therapy will receive the same results as the individual in this story; some people may experience significant symptom relief from DBS Therapy, and others may experience minimal symptom relief. Talk to your doctor to determine if Medtronic DBS Therapy is right for you.

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.