Sistad shares positive experience with DBS Therapy

Written by Kari Sundberg, Eagle Editor

After first hearing about the option a couple of years ago, Cheryl Sistad finally took the leap and proceeded with DBS Therapy. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) helps many patients who suffer from Parkinson disease, essential tremors, dystonia and even Epilepsy, in some cases. With symptoms of her essential tremors getting stronger over the last ten years, Cheryl decided enough of her daily life activities were being affected where it was time to take the next step.

“I’m normally a pretty private person, especially about medical things, but I’m so happy with my results. If this can help even one person, I thought it would be worth the share,” she expressed.

Deep Brain Stimulation is a treatment that doesn’t cure, but rather provides relief for people who have tried other ways and medications to reduce their symptoms. It’s a 3-stage process, which includes surgical procedures to implant the Deep Brain Stimulation hardware and a postoperative programming process. 

The first surgery places the electrodes in the brain, while the second surgery places the battery in your chest. The therapy is controlled by the patient. Cheryl explained that each morning she turns the battery pack on, which immediately helps to reduce her tremors by about 85%, and then it gets turned off right before bed. While in use, the electrodes deliver electric stimulation to the areas of the brain that control the symptoms.

As of current, Cheryl was having a hard time writing, eating, dishing up food, cooking and sewing, to name a few things. DBS was first suggested by her doctor a couple of years ago, but there were some hesitations about the whole thing on Cheryl’s end. But after being on three different medications, and the last pill needing four doses a day, and still not providing a lot of relief, Cheryl decided it was time to move forward with the DBS. 

With the many Neurology evals, Speech and Language Pathology consults, Neuropsychological consults, labs and MRI’s, the final stage would lead her to the Mayo Clinic. Though she was awake for the first procedure, she was under anesthesia so no pain was felt, which is a relief considering they place specially designed pins into the head. But the patient needs to be awake so they can perform writing and drawing tasks throughout the placement of the electrodes. When asked how quickly her symptoms improved after the surgery, Cheryl says, “Immediately.”

There are some restrictions to follow, but they are minor compared to the difference the Deep Brain Stimulation has made in Cheryl’s day-to-day life. Not only has she been able to see and feel noticeable differences, she’s also not taking anymore of her medications. “That’s a relief in itself,” she says. “One side effect of the medication I was on was memory loss. I found myself starting to search for certain words; I’m so glad to be done with that.”

As mentioned, DBS isn’t a cure, but rather a therapy to provide relief for patients. Cheryl was told that you can see 85% improvement in 85% of the patients who undergo the surgery. 

Cheryl was one of those people included in the success rate, saying, “I am just so much more confident in the things I do.”

With DBS, the battery packs are expected to last about ten years, which are controlled by a handheld device. 

Cheryl has some great, informative brochures and videos about DBS for anyone who is interested in hearing more about it. She is happy to share her story and results if it can help even one person.