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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
        
(Message started by: rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 11:05pm)

Title: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by rannpas on Feb 13^th, 2008, 11:05pm

Has anyone got any info on this Deep Brain Stimulation treatment at Mayo Clinic. I know it sounds pretty invasive, but if it works.

Here are two articles on it:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2007-rst/4044.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/deep-brain-stimulation/

According to the articles I have been reading they insert a rod into the brain, and there is a battery and control inserted under the skin on the chest. So how something triggers the device to emit an electrical shock.

Is this for real?
What the difference between this and beating my head... which is more or less bad for me over time.

I have been with the beast for longer than I can count, and I am not even sure when I am PF. I have not read everything here but I most of the treatments (meds) indicated I have been on. And as many have said - almost anything sounds good if it will KILL the ugly thing.

Tx
Perry

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by Ray on Feb 13^th, 2008, 11:28pm

Perry:

With the small number of DBS surgeries for CH, it's too early to say that this is an answer for us. The possibilities for error or death are there too.

Speaking for myself, and myself only, I'd consider this just before I called Dr. Kevorkian to end it all for me.

That's my 2 cents.

Wishing you well,

Ray

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by thebbz on Feb 13^th, 2008, 11:53pm

Thats what I want a rod in the brain. ;;D ;;D
bWWHaAAAa!!
thebb

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by kevmd on Feb 14^th, 2008, 12:19pm

Perry
I checked into this a few years ago at the MAyo in AZ. They said I was "qualified" to be seen and that I can schedule an appointment. Only problem, is that I live in Philadelphia. I then went into a long remission anyway. However, if you are in that much pain, only you can say if its a good idea for you or not. If you do it, I wish you all the luck and I hope it works.

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by sfgirl69 on Feb 14^th, 2008, 12:54pm

Hi Perry,
Here is an actual video where you can watch the procedure. The patient is awake during the part where the hair thin electrodes are being placed in the brain. I feel that the drugs I seem doomed to take for the rest of my life are more invasive to my body then a one time surgery. I have not read of anyone dying from this surgery. But any surgery has it's risks. The patients they have tested it on for CH which is very very few seem to go into remission right away and only get hit when they turn OFF the system. It has a remote control that comes with it. This type of procedure is being used for several different neurological conditions from Parkinson’s to depression to OCD.

Check out the OR Live site and watch and see what you think is best for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjtgRKKf5EQ

Best
SFGIRL69

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by Gator on Feb 14^th, 2008, 1:13pm

Here are some articles/abstracts related to DBS:

http://www.ouch-us.org/chgeneral/surgery/dbs.htm

and yes there has been at least one death attributed to this surgery.

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by Globi on Feb 23^rd, 2008, 3:15am

Yes. Somebody did die of this operation.....in Belgium. Its a risk you take undergoing operations like this. I have seen this procedure before on TV and it looks terrible. It's not about pain but (for me) the idea that there is a wire in your brain. Next to this you cannot move for hours.....but you are awake and very well aware that if things go wrong the consequences could be life changing in a negative way. Like loosing the ability to speak or worse.

Next to DBS the Mayo Clinic was busy researching occipital nerve stimulation.....did they stop doing that? ONS looked like a pretty good and less invasive procedure.

Title: Re: Deep Brain Stimulation at Mayo Clinic
Post by gore2424 on Feb 23^rd, 2008, 2:47pm

Dr Dudley Davis mentioned in the article did my operation in May 2002 where they went inside skull and cut the right side trigeminal nerve which I only got a little over 4 months relief. I am kinda maybe looking into this to help me with these damn clusters atlest right now I kinda have them kinda in control with my current meds but I do take a lot of naps. Terry