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Managing your life with Parkinson’s disease

A diagnosis is the first step, not the final word. Managing Parkinson’s disease (PD) means building a proactive plan that combines education, activity, and a support system that understands your journey.

A Parkinson’s diagnosis is often a turning point, marking the start of a new chapter in how you manage your health. Finding the right treatment option, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), is an important part of your care—but it's only one piece of a long-term care plan.

Living well with Parkinson’s requires a proactive, multi-layered approach starting with a focused care team. From medications designed to help regulate dopamine activity to the daily physical habits that keep you moving, this is where you can find the tools and resources to help you take control of your daily routine.¹

An active woman jogs along a sandy beach near the shoreline.

Step it up with exercise

Physical activity like walking, cycling, and strength training is one of the most powerful tools in your PD management plan to help improve mobility. Regular exercise — including aerobic activity, strength training, and balance exercises totaling at least 2.5 hours per week — can help slow the progression of symptoms and prolong your quality of life.²

Understanding your medication options

Most treatment plans begin with medication to help replace or mimic dopamine in the brain. Your doctor will tailor a combination that provides the most relief with the fewest side effects.¹

Levodopa
(L-dopa)

Often considered the gold standard, this chemical is converted into dopamine by the brain to help regulate movement.

Dopamine agonists

These medications mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain and can be used alone or in combination with Levodopa.

COMT inhibitors

These help prevent the breakdown of dopamine, allowing your medication to work more effectively for longer periods.

Anticholinergics

These are primarily used to help reduce tremors or muscle rigidity by blocking specific nerve impulses.

When Parkinson’s symptoms become harder to manage

Over time, your treatment plan may need to evolve. You may notice:

  • Medication wearing off sooner
  • “Off” periods becoming more frequent
  • Involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
  • Less predictable symptom control
  • Daily routines centered around medication timing


These changes may signal it’s time to talk to your doctor about additional treatment options — including DBS.

Exploring surgical alternatives

When medications no longer provide consistent relief, your care team may discuss surgical options to help you reclaim control over motor symptoms:³

Ablative surgery:

A non-reversible procedure that uses targeted heat to destroy the neural tissue driving Parkinson’s symptoms.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS):

A personalized therapy that uses targeted electrical stimulation to help regulate abnormal brain signals. This approach is reversible and can be adjusted over time as your symptoms and treatment needs change.⁴

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

Find a Parkinson’s disease support community

You don’t have to navigate Parkinson’s alone — connecting with others who share your experience can provide a new perspective and vital support. Whether you prefer local in-person gatherings or the comfort of online forums, there are Parkinson’s disease support groups ready to welcome you.⁵

Online support communities:

  • PatientsLikeMe: An active network where members share treatment data and personal experiences to help others manage their daily health.
  • HealthUnlocked: A dedicated social network for people living with Parkinson's and their caregivers to ask questions and find peer support.
  • Smart Patients: A community-driven platform focused on sharing clinical knowledge and resources for navigating complex diagnoses.
  • Caring.com: A comprehensive resource for finding local support groups and practical advice for caregivers.

Received DBS in 2018

Ken G.’s DBS story

“I feel confident that as soon as I get these quads back, I’m going to be back, and that’s pretty exciting.”


Received DBS in 2018

Suzanne’s DBS story

“I was living my life around the medicine. It was so inconsistent. DBS has totally changed my life and given me back my independence.”


Received DBS in 2018

Ann’s DBS story

“I just wish I had done this so much sooner. It’s like going from watching a movie in black and white to a big screen in full color.”


The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy.

More PD successes
More ET successes
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Create connections that matter

From local in-person gatherings to expert-led webinars, connect with those who know DBS and those who live with it to share experiences, gain knowledge, and find support.

Explore events
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Talk to someone who's been there

Our DBS Patient Ambassadors are here to share their personal experiences with the procedure. Whether you have questions or just want to hear a firsthand perspective about life with DBS, they’re here to support you.

Connect with an Ambassador
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Prepare for your doctor visit

Get the most out of your next appointment with our Doctor Discussion Guide. With helpful questions to ask about DBS therapy your way, you can feel confident and informed when speaking with your physician about DBS for your Parkinson’s disease.

Download the PD guide

Take your next step toward DBS therapy

DBS therapy, your way

See if DBS therapy may be right for you

Answer a few quick questions about your PD or ET symptoms. It should take no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll get information on whether our personalized therapy might be right for you.

Get started

Has a physician diagnosed you or a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET)?

A person holds a smartphone while relaxing indoors with a mug in the other hand. The phone screen displays a website titled "Find a DBS specialist near you" with a search interface and a map.

Find Care

Locate a DBS specialist near you

Find a movement disorder specialist who offers Boston Scientific’s personalized DBS therapy near you.

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questions?

Call Patient Education

Our Patient Education Specialists can give guidance and answer any questions you have during your search for the right DBS System.

Call us at (833) 327-1473

Monday through Friday

7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT

References  

  1. Boston Scientific Patient Information Brochure. Navigating Parkinson's: Your Complete Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
  2. Science Daily. Why exercise slows progression of Parkinson's disease. ScienceDaily. December 23, 2017. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171223134846.htm 
  3. Mayo Clinic. Parkinson’s disease. Mayo Clinic website. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055 
  4. Okun MS, Foote KD. Parkinson’s disease DBS: what, when, who and why? The time has come to tailor DBS targets. Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(12):1847-1857. doi:10.1586/ern.10.156
  5. Michael J. Fox Foundation. Support Groups. Michael J. Fox Foundation website. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/support-groups 

Indications for Use:
The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are indicated for use in the following:

• Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

• Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

Intended Use:

The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are intended to treat movement disorders by stimulating a specific brain target.

The Vercise™ DBS Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

The Charger is a medical device that is intended to charge the battery of the compatible Boston Scientific rechargeable Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems. The external/non-implantable components of the Vercise Genus DBS System (Charging System, Remote Control, mobile device with Vercise DBS Controller, and accessories) are MR Unsafe. Do not take them into any MRI environment.
Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited. You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels. High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue. Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately. You should use caution when doing activities that require coordination, even if you were able to do them before receiving therapy (for example, swimming). Patients should exercise reasonable caution when bathing. Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced. The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution. It is unknown whether the DBS device may cause complications with pregnancy. Do not use the Vercise™ DBS Controller while the mobile device is charging. The effect of using the Vercise DBS Controller while charging the mobile device has not been evaluated.



Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.



CAUTION: U.S. Federal law  restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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