Ask an Expert
Jamie M., RN, NP, has years of experience with Medtronic DBS Therapy. Below she answers some of the common questions she’s heard from people receiving DBS Therapy. Have a question you don’t see below? Send it to us for consideration.
Can I go through airport and store security scanners with my DBS device?
How often should I see my doctor for programming?
Can I go through airport and store security scanners with my DBS device?
Jamie says: It depends on the type of scanner and which type of battery (neurostimulator) you have implanted as part of your DBS Therapy system. Older DBS systems may be turned off by security systems, but Activa® systems should not. Always consult with your doctor before turning off your neurostimulator. Use your patient programmer to check therapy status and turn the neurostimulator on if necessary.
Airport Security Scanners:
When traveling, carry your patient ID card, patient programmer, and patient manual. Request a pat down search. Refer to your patient manual for additional instructions.
Store Security Scanners:
Pass through the center of the scanning area without lingering or touching the security gate.
How often should I see my doctor for programming?
Jamie says: DBS Therapy requires lifetime management, just as your medications do. If your condition, DBS Therapy, and medications are all stable, the longest you should go between doctor visits is 6 months. If you're not stable, then you should visit more often. And not every visit will require programming or a change in meds.
With DBS Therapy, some symptoms may worsen gradually, without you even noticing. Your DBS Therapy may be controlling your movement disorder so well that you fail to recognize other aspects of your health. Perhaps you're not sleeping as well, slowing down a bit, or feeling anxious. A professional assessment can identify the issues and treat them before they worsen.
For example, if you're lying awake at night, you might stay in bed longer during the day. This may lead to reduced muscle tone which may make walking more difficult. And less walking means less fitness. It can be a downhill slide. Issues like poor sleep, constipation, depression, and anxiety are not fixed with DBS but can be helped by your clinician.
It's also important to monitor the battery life of your device and schedule a replacement before the battery fails. It could take a week or two to schedule time with a neurosurgeon. You don't want to be without the benefits of DBS Therapy for that long.
I’m approaching the time when my neurostimulator will need replacing. How do I know which neurostimulator in the Activa Portfolio is right for me?
Jamie says: It’s best to start discussing your replacement options with your DBS Therapy team well in advance of your replacement date. Three factors to consider are therapy settings and battery use; ease of replacement; and programming features.
You’ll want to consider what your therapy needs are as far as battery use. If your symptoms respond best to high settings, you and your doctor may want to consider the rechargeable Activa RC. The device lasts for 9 years before it has to be replaced, regardless of the programmed settings. However, recharging the system requires your active involvement. The amount of time before the battery needs recharging depends on your treatment settings – the higher the settings, the longer or more frequent the recharging. You may choose whether to recharge your device daily for approximately 30 minutes or every 10 to 14 days for 4 hours or longer.
Ease of replacement is an important consideration as well. For example, if you currently have Soletra® neurostimulators implanted on both sides of your chest, they could be replaced with Activa SC devices which are made to accommodate the Soletra system. Your DBS leads can typically stay in place and simply be reconnected to the new Activa SC neurostimulators. Activa PC and Activa RC neurostimulators have 2 leads connected to 1 device. If you currently have bilateral devices implanted, converting to a single device may require re-tunneling of 1 lead.
No matter what new device you’re converting to, you’ll get all the new features of the Activa Portfolio. The advanced programming feature allows you to adjust the settings within your doctor’s pre-set ranges. For example, during an office visit you may be set up with 2 different settings or groups that seem to work well for you. Once you’re home, you can toggle between the options to find the group that gives you the greatest relief from your symptoms – or you can simply go back to the original settings. This may save you trips to the office for fine-tuning your settings. The adjustments are made with the Medtronic DBS Patient Programmer which includes an easy-to-read display screen that also provides the battery level and ON/OFF status.
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.
- Print Page
- E-mail Page
- A
- A
- A Text Size
