Questions to Ask When Considering Deep Brain Stimulation

The standard treatment plan for Parkinson's disease (PD) typically begins with medications to help manage symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may worsen or medications may become less effective over time. If this happens, more advanced treatment options may be considered, such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), pump medications, or focused ultrasound. Understanding the potential benefits and risks of each option, and discussing them with your care team, can help you make an informed decision about the next steps in your treatment plan. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Arjun Tarakad, Associate Professor of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, and Samantha Helton, a person living with young-onset Parkinson's. Mrs. Helton shares her first-hand experience undergoing DBS, including what motivated her to say "yes" to surgery, while Dr. Tarakad discusses what to expect before, during, and after DBS surgery. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there's a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.