DAILY LIVING DBS THERAPY FOR OCD

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

• Learn the name and model number of your neurostimulator
• Make sure your family and friends know about your DBS system so they can help in an emergency

Recovering at Home

After your surgery, your doctor or nurse will give you instructions about care at home. These instructions often include information about medications, the healing process after surgery, and when to return to your daily activities.

THE HEALING PROCESS

Making a full recovery from surgery can take several weeks. During the healing process, you may feel some discomfort at the incision sites on your scalp, and at the implantation site(s) for the neurostimulator(s). If you notice unusual symptoms, contact your doctor.

Medication

Always follow your doctor’s instructions for taking medication.

Activities to Avoid or Use Caution During DBS

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 reptitive 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 reequest 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.

When to Call Your Doctor

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 (turn off the neurostimulator before calling your doctor)
• You cannot turn the neurostimulator off (or on) with your patient programmer
• You experience unexpected changes 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

DEVICE CHECK-UPS

It's extremely important to attend all of your device check-up appointments.

Your clinician will schedule these regular follow-up visits to:

• Ensure that your DBS system is functioning properly
• Adjust your stimulation as needed based on your symptom control
• Check neurostimulator battery status to determine if you will soon need a device replacement

Helpful Tips

• Be sure to let all medical personnel know that you have an implanted Reclaim DBS system, and tell them where it is located.
• If you experience any unusual symptoms that you think may be related to your neurostimulator, contact your doctor.
• Attend all follow-up appointments to make sure you get the best care.
• When the neurostimulator is turned off, your symptoms will return. Some symptoms return quickly. Other symptoms may take longer to return.

Changes in Symptom Control

There may be changes in the level of your symptom suppression 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 condition changes with time, it may improve, may worsen, or may remain unchanged with stimulation.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Your DBS system is designed to deliver your stimulation at the levels that best meet your needs. If you have any problems with the DBS system, contact your doctor.