The programming is very different for PD than it is for Dystonia, and there lies the challenge. Not nearly as many surgeries have been done for dystonia, so the medical teams are not usually as familiar with programming dystonia DBS systems. I was only the 5th dystonia patient to have the surgery at the medical center where I had it and since I am not responding like they think I should for dystonia, they are very puzzled. Success rates are hard to measure, as different patients consider a surgery to be successful at different levels. For me, I had immediate relief when my stimulators were first turned on, but the symptoms have come back quickly each time and I have not had sustained releif. Typically, a dystonia patient will be programmed and then it will take a while for those settings to help, then they go back later for another programming, so my response was odd even for dystonia.
Feel free to join the DBSfor Dystonia yahoo group, even if you are just considering the surgery or would like more information. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBSforDystonia/
Blessings
Ramona
