At age 39, Dr. David Heydrick was on top of the world — he was a successful neurologist, had a wonderful wife and enjoyed an active life with his two sons. He never guessed that he would succumb to a disease for which he had treated his own patients — Parkinson’s.

It all began when David noticed that his right hand seemed weaker than his left. He soon began to suffer from progressive tremors on his right side, and he eventually lost function of his entire right side. He could not do simple tasks such as brushing his teeth, buttoning his shirt, writing or driving and he was forced to stop doing public speaking engagements. The tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and stiffness eventually forced David to leave his neurology practice. He was lucky that medical technology would one day eliminate his symptoms completely.

David’s neurologist prescribed a variety of medications that offered some improvement in his condition, but unfortunately made him feel nauseated and tired.

David soon felt like he had run out of options. In addition to his problems with movement and everyday tasks, he faced massive fatigue and pain. Describing his condition, he said, “I don’t know what dying feels like, but that’s what I thought was happening to me.” In late 2004, David attended a Parkinson’s support group where he met a woman who appeared to be unaffected by her Parkinson’s disease. He learned that she had undergone a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS), something he had been contemplating.

DBS, a new surgical option for patients with Parkinson’s disease, uses precisely located implantable electrodes within the brain to deliver electrical impulses to counteract the tremors. The electrodes are connected to a neurostimulator, or “pacemaker,” which is implanted under the patient’s collarbone.

David and his neurologist agreed DBS could work for his condition. Four weeks after implantation, he had the device turned on and his tremors instantly stopped. He began to regain control of his movement. In addition to the DBS procedure, David credits his successful recovery to vigorous exercise, good nutrition and stress management. Over time, his fatigue and pain have improved as well.

A clinical trial found that a year after the implant, DBS increased "on" time—periods of good motor function and symptom relief—by an average of more than six hours per day. However, as David found, many of the benefits are seen immediately. Along with these improvements, research shows that DBS significantly decreases dyskinesia—the uncontrollable, involuntary movements that often result from anti-Parkinsonian medications.¹

The overall U.S. cost of DBS surgery to install electrodes that attempt to reduce tremors is $25,000.² The value of this procedure is substantial to many patients who can subsequently decrease their medication use, rely less on caregivers and participate in society again.

Parkinson’s Disease: Debilitating But Now Often Treatable

When the tremors progressed on the left side of his body, David underwent the DBS procedure on the right hemisphere of his brain. Subsequently, David has wasted no time resuming his busy life. He works as scientific advisor for the Parkinson’s Action Network, the leading advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s community, is practicing medicine again and back to playing baseball with his sons. “DBS restored my quality of life and allowed me to take charge of my health,” said David.