Deep brain stimulation and Parkinson’s

Published 22 July 2010, Posted in Northland

Excert from article ‘Profile of Brian Hewlett’

A year ago Dr Snow asked how I would feel about being put forward for Deep Brain Stimulation ?!!

Following assessments in Auckland I was more than happy to agree with having this operation . I had a constant tremor , dyskinesia , had lost a lot of weight; down to 63 kg and was losing my balance frequently , causing many falls and naturally some injuries which was a concern for my family .  One of these falls ( off a ladder ) resulted in having a left hip replacement in February this year and the Deep Brain Stimulation in April !

PROFILE OF BRIAN HEWLETT

I was born in 1947 in Mata south of Whangarei being the youngest child of four of a farming family and went to school in Waipu and boarded at Whangarei Boys High.

I worked on the farm and built a fourteen foot wooden runabout in my spare time ( which was very little ) and had a ball water skiing with my mates. I then went overseas with a mate for two years and we worked on construction sites and then toured Europe and had a lot of fun !

Gailene and I were married in 1972 and bought a 640 acre sheep and cattle farm in Kerikeri - what a new adventure this was.

Life was busy with lots of gorse to spray , rushes to mow , sheep and cattle work , fencing hay making etc and in our spare time we raised three gorgeous daughters and had fun in an old Kauri launch in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

The first seven years we were affected by droughts which was a difficult time , but gradually the fertility built up and the rain did come ( as it has this year !) Our rates reached $10,000 because we had a sea view and a small mud flat boundary , which was exorbitant and at this time we sold some land to ease the burden and bought a very comfortable fibreglass boat which did not require the same amount of meticulous sanding and painting as the old Kauri boat. 

It was just prior to this that I had noticed my balance was poor and a slight tremor in my left leg . My GP said he felt it may be Parkinson’s disease .While tripping in Australia and listening to the Radio they were describing the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease . Several miles later without a word being spoken we both agreed that that is what was wrong me !! I was getting slowness of movement now too . So on return I went to my GP who arranged a private appointment with Neurologist Specialist Barry Snow in Auckland , who confirmed PD.

Unbeknown to me my father had PD later in life and just put up with it with out taking medication .

About twelve years ago I started taking Sinemet quick acting and then had to progress onto Sinemet CR and then gradually had to take them more often .

While visiting Barry Snow each year ( about 10 years ago ) he commented that my sense of humor had disappeared and he prescribed Nortriptyline which had a dual purpose in relieving shoulder pain and improved mood and anxiety.

When the Sinemet became less effective I was prescribed Ropinerole which evened out the Sinemet , however during the last 2 - 3 years I developed Dyskinesia ( uncontrolled movement ) and I was needing to take medication every two hours to keep me moving in the last year . I was then prescribed Amantidine which controlled the Dyskinesia for a short while .!!

A year ago Dr Snow asked how I would feel about being put forward for Deep Brain Stimulation ?!!

Following assessments in Auckland I was more than happy to agree with having this operation . I had a constant tremor , dyskinesia , had lost a lot of weight; down to 63 kg and was losing my balance frequently , causing many falls and naturally some injuries which was a concern for my family .One of these falls ( off a ladder ) resulted in having a left hip replacement in February this year and the Deep Brain Stimulation in April !

The operation took about six hours where they bore two holes in the skull and electrodes are placed in the part of the brain which magically improves movement ,after stimulation .The operation is performed while you are awake , but under sedation .Two days later I had two monitors placed under the clavicle bone in a pocket under GA and was stimulated by Mr. McAuley.

Another two days later while I was eating my breakfast and the result was just amazing - the spoon shot into my mouth - what a miracle !!

I have no tremor , very slight dyskinesia , my medication has been reduced by 1/3 and I have put on 10 kgs and have more energy !

Mr. McAuley and his dedicated team at Auckland Hospital have worked hard to have these operations performed in Auckland and funded for those younger Parkinsonians in NZ rather than clients needing to go to Australia .This has been a complete success and we are very grateful for research , technology and the chance to have such an improved well being .

And that is what life is all about . Live and enjoy .
Brian Hewlett