HAVE ALL THE CHECKUPS
Patients should attend all the scheduled checkups with the doctor who manages their deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. Tell the doctor if the essential tremor symptoms have changed.
At each checkup, the doctor will:
- Make sure that the DBS system is working properly
- Adjust the stimulation to best control the symptoms
- Check the battery of the neurostimulator to see if it will soon need a device replacement
ACTIVITIES TO AVOID or USE CAUTION DURING DBS
Loss of coordination is a potential side effect of DBS therapy. Patients should exercise reasonable caution when participating in activities requiring coordination, including those that they were able to perform prior to receiving DBS therapy (eg, swimming).
For the most part, everyday activities shouldn’t interfere with or damage the DBS system. Here are some common ones to avoid. Patients are provided with a manual with a full list of symptoms
BENDING, TWISTING, STRETCHING
Patients should avoid activities that that could place stress on the implanted components of their DBS system. Activities that include sudden, excessive, or repetitive bending, twisting, or stretching may cause parts of the system to break or move. Patients should talk with their doctors about what activities are safe for them.
SECURITY DEVICES AND METAL DETECTORS
Walking through some theft detectors or security gates, like those at airports and department stores, may increase the stimulation or turn off a neurostimulator.
Before walking through a security gate, show your Medtronic Device Identification Card to security and request a hand search. If a security wand is used, ask the security personnel to avoid placing it over the neurostimulator.
If a patient must pass through a gate, they should walk through the center at a normal pace, and not lean on or linger.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Most household appliances and electronic devices that work properly and are properly grounded, like computers, will not interfere with a deep brain stimulation system.