Clare: Smiling All the Time

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.

Clare managed a popular restaurant in a metropolitan suburb. It was a job that required endurance and hard work. When she was about 37 years old, she began to notice her energy levels dropping. She developed tremors on her left side.

"I didn't pay much attention to it," she recalls. "I just thought I'd worked too many hours and didn't get enough sleep." Two years later, however, things hadn't improved. A doctor urged Clare to see a neurologist about the severe tremor in her left hand. The neurologist diagnosed Clare with Parkinson's disease.

Looking for Symptom Relief from Medications

Clare's doctor put her on medications to manage her tremors. However, these medications produced unpleasant side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Then Clare tried Sinemet*, which helped her symptoms without side effects.

Unfortunately, the disease progressed over the course of several years and her tremors increased. Additionally, Clare would freeze up and be unable to move for minutes at a time.

Eventually, Clare had to stop working in the front of the restaurant taking orders and delivering food. Even helping out in the kitchen became impractical, because she was unsteady on her feet. She sometimes dropped pizzas or fell against the pizza oven, burning herself.

Parkinson's disease affected Clare's personal life, as well. An avid golfer, she was forced to give up the sport she loved. She couldn't go out with friends as often. Most of her time was spent either working or recovering from work at home. Worst of all, she couldn't play with her beloved basset hound Fred or take him on frequent walks.

"The world as I knew it was over," says Clare. "I realized I would have to stop working. How was I going to earn a living? It was kind of scary."

Discovering DBS Therapy

Clare's neurologist told her about Medtronic DBS Therapy for Parkinson's disease in January 2006. She went to a class on deep brain stimulation and researched the therapy online.

"I learned about the risks of the procedure," she says. "I knew there could be complications. I could have a stroke. Maybe it wouldn't work at all. But I decided that the possible outcomes were worth it. I just had to do it."

Clare's Medtronic DBS Therapy lead implant took place in May 2006. She was conscious for some parts of it, and sedated for others. Two weeks later she had her Medtronic DBS system completed, with the implant of two neurostimulators up near her collarbone.

"I wasn't prepared for the discomfort I felt after the second procedure," Clare remembers. "During that surgery they placed my neurostimulators and connected them to the wires that were implanted under my skin. They ran from my brain down the back of my neck. It was very difficult to move my neck and it felt like I had a stiff collar around it. Aside from that, it felt great to feel normal again!"

After a few weeks, Clare's neck felt better and she returned to work within a month of her second surgery. Clare had three programming sessions after the surgery to get her DBS system adjusted to her exact requirements.

Risks of the Procedure and Stimulation

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

Clare is now retired, and spends much of her time with her mother, her sister's family, and even takes care of her niece after school each day. She still enjoys golf and participates in a nine-hole league.

"I can't work full time anymore, but I feel that I got 2 ½ years of work time back that I wouldn't have had without DBS Therapy."

While Clare used to be stooped over and walked with a limp, today she stands straight. "I feel so much better. My energy level is improved and I'm smiling all the time. If didn't have DBS Therapy, I believe I'd be in a nursing home."

When she thinks back to her initial decision to have DBS Therapy, Clare is struck by the progress she has made. "I wasn't asking for much," she says. "I just wanted to be able to go to work and hang out with friends. But I got more than that. I haven't felt this good in years. People I haven't seen in two or three years just can't believe the change.

"When my brother first saw me walk into a room a few months after my procedure," she continues, "his jaw dropped to his chest. It was pretty cool."

Next: Chris

*Sinemet is a registered trademark of Merck and Co., Inc.

Medtronic invited this patient to share her 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.