Thanks to Russ (Rusty PW) I had a good conversation. (Brain surgery appears to have gone well)

[ShadowsPapa]

If you decide to move forward with the implant (or need more specific questions answered on activity limitations), ask to speak to the device rep. They will have more specific information than most docs (is changing rapidly and is very device specific), and if they don't have the answer, the good ones will reach out to the engineers.

For example, many of the newer generators will be "mri conditional" or possibly "mri approved" which speaks to there ability to tolerate magnetic fields (i do not know of any that are ok for electrically based welding). In general, the trend is towards the devices becoming more tolerant not less. Given, your hobbies and interests, it is definitely worth asking.

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you for that. 10 likes.

Sponsored

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Scary as heck, but the tremors aren't getting any better (actually worse) and time marches on while my ability to do simple tasks diminishes.
Talked to another guy who had a friend with Parkinson's who had the implants and it was life-changing, successful.
Again, mine is not Parkinson's, but the process is similar and with the urging of my wife, made the call Monday.
It has to be a referral process to the one surgeon in the whole area who does this, but I made the call, the referral has been made, we'll see. He has to determine if you are a "good candidate", whatever that means - if he says no, then it means I just keep getting worse to the point of not doing any real shop work.
Doctors in our area are so far out, it's said to not expect any sort of call on this until later this fall.

 

[Hootbro]

Hopefully it gets sorted for you to get some relief or reprieve.

 

[Rusty PW]

When I take my wifey in for her check ups. I talk to other people who had it done. I haven't heard any of them say it was a mistake. They all are happy with the results.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

When I take my wifey in for her check ups. I talk to other people who had it done. I haven't heard any of them say it was a mistake. They all are happy with the results.

Appointment August 28th - consultation - I suppose they determine "if DBS is right for you" sort of thing

https://uihc.org/services/deep-brain-stimulation-dbs

That's going to mean a lot of trips back and forth! Iowa City is just about 2 hours from home.

 

[legacy_etu]

Appointment August 28th - consultation - I suppose they determine "if DBS is right for you" sort of thing

https://uihc.org/services/deep-brain-stimulation-dbs

That's going to mean a lot of trips back and forth! Iowa City is just about 2 hours from home.

Good luck Bill. I hope you can get some relief. It's bad enough trying to get into a Dr's schedule here and I'm in a dense area, can't imagine the lack of choice rural folks have.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Got up at 5am today, left at 6am, for the trip to University of Iowa Hospitals neurology.
Spent some time with the neurosurgeon there - he did some simple testing, looked over all of the history and so on.
Decided to go with the DBS.
I'll be making multiple long trips (about 2 hours from garage into hospital - each way)
So there goes my September and October. October I won't be doing much as the initial surgery is the 10th, then the battery pack and other stuff on the 16th. First involves a hospital stay and he said I won't be up to driving or doing much of anything for several days.
THEN, more appointments locally to get things "tuned" or adjusted.

Need to get more info about the device and electric fields - he mentioned welders, there goes the MIG maybe?
Need to decide - non-rechargeable battery or rechargeable. One lasts from 2 to 5 years depending o the intensity settings, the other up to 15, but needs to be recharged every week.

I need to make a REALLY big push to get things installed onto my JT - winch, snow plow and all of that wonderful wiring (haha). I have about 1 month to do it all.

 

[Hootbro]

Need to get more info about the device and electric fields - he mentioned welders, there goes the MIG maybe?

That and your inductance heater tool. I had to give them up when I got my pacemaker. Some say you can get away with still welding if you stay outside the cable looping and do short burst, but it is not worth the risks if you fry your device and they have to put a new one in.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That and your inductance heater tool. I had to give them up when I got my pacemaker. Some say you can get away with still welding if you stay outside the cable looping and do short burst, but it is not worth the risks if you fry your device and they have to put a new one in.

I forgot about the inductance heater........... wow.

He said "what applies to pacemakers will generally apply" to these things.

 

[Hootbro]

I forgot about the inductance heater........... wow.

He said "what applies to pacemakers will generally apply" to these things.

Yeah, it sucks. I went down a rabbit hole trying to find a work around thinking something like a lead lined apron or other shielding would help but that is a no-go also.

 

[Master_Cylinder]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I’m glad I saw it tonight. We’ll keep you in our prayers! It sounds like you have a good plan to get better. My wife always reminds me that these doctors and nurses do this stuff everyday and they know what they’re doing. Keep us posted!

 

[Rusty PW]

Sounds like they are installing the same stuff as my wifey. Same process.

Check to about X-ray machines like at the airport. Think MRI's also. Not sure. Wifey won't go through the x-ray machine at the airport.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure how I missed this thread, but I’m glad I saw it tonight. We’ll keep you in our prayers! It sounds like you have a good plan to get better. My wife always reminds me that these doctors and nurses do this stuff everyday and they know what they’re doing. Keep us posted!

Apparently, this particular guy does about 75 of these a year. And he seemed to know my local neurologist, too, and spoke well of him.
Since it's associated with University of Iowa - he asked if I'd be willing, if asked, to participate in any research. I said - sure - might as well help others where I can.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This is helpful in putting together a list of questions to ask when I talk to the people about the device itself!

 

[Gatorized]

I forgot about the inductance heater........... wow.

He said "what applies to pacemakers will generally apply" to these things.

Yeah, it sucks. I went down a rabbit hole trying to find a work around thinking something like a lead lined apron or other shielding would help but that is a no-go also.

is a faraday day suit An option?

Sponsored