I depend my DBS system (Deep Brain Stimulator) greatly. It smooths out motor movement to some degree and helps preserve urinary function, swallowing mechanism, and keeps my body from being rigid and in pain.
Last week I started noticing I could no longer stand up straight and my joints and muscles were aching and burning. I felt as though my head was spinning.
If you have read my book, FURTHER ALONG, you know where the brain implants are located and the purpose they serve. They generator in my chest is connected to these brain implants.
In addition to my very curved, down facing posture, I was struggling to make my bladder muscles work and urinating has become very painful and, at times, nearly impossible. My voice has been weak.
Then it occurred to Karrie and I that we needed to check my generator power. We have a hand held device that we place over my generator, located beneath the skin on my upper chest. Karrie placed this over my generator and it indicated that it was no longer functional.
We are in the process of working with my movement disorder neurologist to get surgery scheduled as soon as it is possible. This needs to be done by a neurosurgeon.
In the meantime, I will just have to find a way not to let it depress me as the change or lack of stimulation can severely affect my basal ganglia function. This part of my brain is located in my midbrain, and can play havoc with my sense of well being. Also, the stimulator going out has caused intractable hiccups that have continuously returned for 3 days straight. They are very difficult to stop and the constant jerking of my abdomen is painful for my stomach G-tube.
I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as they will be of great help!
