DAILY LIVING DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION FOR ESSENTIAL TREMOR

HAVE ALL YOUR CHECKUPS

Be sure to attend all the scheduled checkups with the doctor who manages your deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. Tell your doctor if your essential tremor symptoms have changed.

At each checkup, your doctor will:

• Make sure that your DBS system is working properly
• Adjust your stimulation to best control your symptoms
• Check the battery of your neurostimulator to see if you 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 your DBS system. Here are some common ones to avoid. See your patient manual for a full list.

BENDING, TWISTING, STRETCHING

Avoid activities that could place stress on the implanted components of your DBS system. Activities that include sudden, excessive, or repetitive bending, twisting, or stretching may cause parts of your system to break or move. Talk with your doctor about what activities are safe for you.

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 your 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 your neurostimulator.

If you must pass through a gate, walk through the center at a normal pace, and don’t lean on or linger at the gate.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Most household appliances and electronic devices that work properly and are properly grounded, like computers, will not interfere with your deep brain stimulation system.