KNOW WHEN TO GET HELP
Call your doctor if any of the following situations occur:
- You experience pain, redness, or swelling along the scalp, neck, or chest where the stimulation system is implanted
- You are not getting relief from your symptoms even though the neurostimulator is turned on
- You feel uncomfortable or painful sensations during stimulation
- You cannot turn the neurostimulator off (or on)
- You experience any unexpected changes in the severity in your symptoms
- You experience any unusual symptoms that you think may be caused by electromagnetic interference (for example, from theft detectors or airport security)
- You lose your patient programmer
If your Medtronic DBS System ceases to function for any reason (e.g., battery depletion or exposure to electromagnetic interference [EMI] sources that will shut off the system), your symptoms may return. In some cases, symptoms may return with an intensity greater than was experienced prior to system implant (rebound effect).
Taking Action
- Be sure to let all medical personnel know that you have an implanted DBS system for dystonia,* and tell them where it is located. If they have any questions, they should contact Medtronic at 800-510-6735.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms that you think may be related to your neurostimulator, contact your doctor.
- Attend all follow-up appointments.
Symptom Control
There may be changes in the level of your symptom control over time.
These changes may include:
- Reduced symptom relief
- No symptom relief
- Loss of effective stimulation
In many cases, your clinician can correct these changes by reprogramming your DBS system. However, surgery may be required to reposition or replace the lead, replace the system, or remove the system.
Because your disease may change with time, your condition may improve, may worsen, or may remain unchanged with stimulation.
When the neurostimulator is turned off, your symptoms will return. Some symptoms return quickly. Other symptoms may take longer to return.
*
Humanitarian Device - Authorized by Federal Law as an aid in the management of chronic, intractable (drug refractory) primary dystonia, including generalized and/or segmental dystonia, hemidystonia, and cervical dystonia (torticollis), in patients seven years of age or above. The effectiveness of the devices for treating these conditions has not been demonstrated.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.