Deep Brain Stimulation: New Hope for Those Living with Tremors

Barbara Cruz first noticed a small tremor in her hands when she was in her mid twenties. When she would hold a glass with a long stem, it would shake slightly between her fingers, sloshing the liquid inside. She knew what tremors looked like, so it wasn’t a shock when the shaking began, but it made her heart sink. Her father had essential tremor, a condition that affects the nervous system, causing involuntary shaking or trembling – and that future wasn’t one she wanted for herself.

“I remember in the end, my father couldn’t drink anything without a straw,” she said. “He would shake, and you would just feel for him. I realized that would be me if I couldn’t get help.”

Over time, her symptoms worsened, and she became embarrassed by the trembling. She stopped going to parties because she couldn’t hold a glass without spilling its contents. Little things she enjoyed doing became too difficult. She couldn’t cook because she couldn’t hold a measuring spoon. She put her scrapbooking materials away because she couldn’t grip the small pieces. Even her voice began to shake. 

“People don’t realize how dependent you are on the ability to do things without shaking,” she said. “It affects every aspect of your life. I stopped wearing jewelry. Buttoning a shirt was difficult. I couldn’t type. I was resigned to the fact that this was going to be my life.”

Crestfallen, Barbara didn’t know where to turn. She tried different medications and treatment options, but the shaking persisted.

Then one day, she hit her breaking point. Barbara was in the kitchen with a carton of a dozen eggs in her hands. When the tremors began, she felt helpless. Egg after egg tumbled to the floor, cracking and leaving a dozen yolks splattered on the ground.

“I just thought to myself, ‘how am I going to continue to live like this?’” said Barbara. “That was the moment I knew I had enough.”

She reached out to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and found Sindhu Srivatsal, MD, a board-certified neurologist. Barbara said Srivatsal was like a lifeline. She gave her hope and introduced her to Farrokh Farrokhi, MD.
 

When Barbara met Dr. Farrokhi, a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in deep brain stimulation at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, she said she immediately felt at ease. 

“The fact that I found him; I’m so lucky,” Barbara said. “He is the most compassionate doctor I’ve ever met. He feels what you feel, and he’s so calming. I adore him,” she gushed. 

Barbara underwent a series of tests to see if she qualified for a procedure called deep brain stimulation (DBS). 

At VMFH, DBS offers hope for people who have movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. DBS is a surgical procedure that can help relieve symptoms.

Dr. Farrokhi says the procedure is highly technical, so there aren’t many neurosurgeons who perform the procedure. The procedure is incredibly safe, effective and life-changing, Dr. Farrokhi emphasized. 

“Even when patients are getting the best medical therapy for Parkinson’s disease, those who get DBS have three times better symptom control,” said Dr. Farrokhi. “It improves a person’s quality of life. Many people just simply aren’t aware of the procedure.”

During surgery, a neurosurgeon places electrodes in the brain. When the device is activated, a low-level electrical current is sent to the brain, blocking the impulses that cause involuntary movement and tremors. 

“I wish my dad could have had this surgery,” said Barbara. “It’s made my life liveable again. I can cook. I can put on makeup. I can sort pills. I couldn’t do any of those things before. It is a miracle.”

Dr. Farrokhi says he’s really proud of the team who helps make DBS possible at VMFH. 

“Our integrated team is made up of highly trained specialists who have been together for over 20 years,” said Dr. Farrokhi.

Today, Barbara is back to doing the things she loves thanks to DBS and the team at VMFH. All the small tasks that used to be difficult for her are now easier, and her voice is back to normal.

Barbara says she’s even working on her penmanship.  

“I want to write Dr. Farrokhi a thank you letter,” said Barbara. “What he’s done for me, I could just cry. He gave me back my quality of life.”

The Center for Neurosciences and Spine at VMFH offers a comprehensive range of neurological services and facilities, with specialists devoted to providing the highest level of care possible for patients. From neurosurgery and spine care, to nationally-recognized stroke centers and neurorehabilitation, the team at VMFH is committed to helping patients live fulfilling lives. 

Barbara said if she had to do it all over again, she would in a heartbeat.