Activa for Dyskinesia

Diseases & Conditions Parkinson's Disease
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First, let me introduce myself.  I'm Mary and my mother has parkinson's.  Parkinson's definitely runs in my family with my earliest memories of Grandma in a wheelchair unable to speak.  Grandma had it from around age 40.  My 2 great aunts had it later in life and my mom starting showing symptions around 13 years ago.  
 
I'm trying to get my mom to eventualy join a group like this but we'll see.  She hates computers AND I think it's difficult for her to be positive having been exposed to this disease for so long.  Hopefully I can convince her that she has so much experience and knowledge to share and could do alot of good for others by participating in a platform like this.
 
That said, we were watching something on tv the other day about an implant device called Activa Therapy that is strictly for the reduction or eliminate of the hated dyskinesia.   The video we watched was amazing but I wonder why I've never heard of it before.  Or why when I search the word here on this board there is no prior posts. If it's that good I should be able to find information that is NOT from the company themselves.
 
Anyone have an opinion or experience with this treatment?
 
Mar
 
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Hi mroc,  Welcome to Healing Well forum...We are glad to have you and any insight you can bring is most helpful as well.

I have heard of Activa Implants they are made by Medtronic Corp. which is kind of like a pacemaker like device that they implant into one side of a person's brain in order to reduce tremors from Parkinson's.  They have been doing this since 1997 I believe, but as far as I know there hasnt been much advance in them as since the implant is put in one side of the brain, it only helps one side of the body with symptoms.  You really dont hear much about them, this maybe in part to there being medication on the market for Dyskinesia and insurance being unwilling to pay.  Since you didnt find any info on this site you can always Google it.  Take care....

 

 


 ~elisha~ 

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Post Edited (els) : 4/21/2006 4:43:08 PM (GMT-6)

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According to Medtronic their device targets both sides of the brain to control medication induced dyskinesia. The problem with googling this is that all the hits are FROM medtronic which really gives me no unbiased data. I guess we can go see one of the physicians that are linked to the procedure to get more info.

I'm curious what medication you are referring to in regards to reducing dyskinesia sypmtons?

Thanks.
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Hi mroc,  Sorry I didn't see your reply sooner.  I'm not sure but I was under the assumption that Medtronic was the only maker of these type of devices.  I could be wrong though...

I have spent many years working in the mental health field.  Many of my clients who were schizophrenic, borderline personality disorder and like disorders have had Tardive Dyskinesia due to their psychiatric medications.  I cant say if for the treatment of Parkinson's it is the same as I am new to the disease myself and haven't had to experience this terrible side effect.  However, having said this there is Cogentin that is a benztropine that does help with the side effects of TD.  It comes in injection and tablet forms.  I just Googled "Cogentin" and several sites popped for the treatment of Parkinson's.  Also, Vitamin E given at 400-800 IU (units) two to three times a day is also supposed to be effective with TD. 

Perhaps you can speak to your mothers doctor about treatments for her.  If you do find out anything on the Activa Device please do post it I would be interested in it.  I wish you and your mother well....take care

Elisha

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