By Annette Pinder

Lon Fittante first began to experience a tremor in his left hand when he was 57. Being left-handed, as his conditioned worsened, so did his quality of life. “My hand shook all the time, and I had difficulty eating. I could not cut my food or pick something up to drink. I gave up going to restaurants because it was too embarrassing.”

Lon had been seeing a neurologist for 8 years trying a variety of medications, but his symptoms worsened. One day, while waiting at UB Neurosurgery (UBNS) for an injection to alleviate a different problem, he noticed a message on the board that said, “We Now Have an Essential Tremors Team,” and asked for an immediate appointment. “After being assessed by each team member and undergoing a series of tests I learned that I was an excellent candidate for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for tremor, and underwent a two-stage surgery led by Dr. Assaf Berger.”

DBS surgery involves the implantation of one or two leads with four electrical contacts into specific areas of the brain, which are attached by an extension wire to an implanted battery-operated medical device called an impulse generator or neurostimulator. The DBS leads deliver electrical currents to the brain to regulate abnormal nerve signals and reduce shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slowed movement (bradykinesia), and dyskinesia (involuntary movements). For some patients, it can improve walking. The system can be turned on or off by the patient or by the clinician to control the amount of stimulation. These adjustments maximize benefits and minimize side effects. DBS is reversible and can be conducted on both sides of the brain, making it a common treatment option for many patients with movement disorders.

Recalling the surgery, Lon said he felt like he was floating in clouds. “I was awake and talking the entire time, but was unaware that so much time had elapsed. After it was over, they asked me to hold my hand up. Amazed at the absence of any shaking, I began to cry and everyone was hugging me.” Lon is thrilled to have his life back after eight years of non-stop shaking due to essential tremor. He is going to restaurants, eating sushi with chopsticks, fishing, fixing things around the house, and looking forward to traveling with his wife.

Led by Dr. Jonathan Riley, each member of the UBNS comprehensive movement disorders team is certified by the National Parkinson’s Foundation in treating Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, tics, and other movement disorders. Seeing a movement disorders specialist is the best resource to confirm your diagnosis. Best candidates for DBS include those with “on/off” fluctuations with or without dyskinesia; those who’ve tried and received some relief from medications and treatment with a neurologist; and those whose symptoms interfere with daily activities. Learn more at https://www.ubns.com/services/adult-neurosurgery/movement-disorders-parkinsons-disease.

To determine if you might be a good candidate for DBS and would like to speak to a nurse who specializes in caring for DBS patients, please call Rachel Shepherd, RN at 716-932-6080, ext.135.