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Success with DBS for PD: Real patient stories

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has helped more than 100,000 people manage their Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms. Hear from those who chose Boston Scientific's Vercise™ DBS System to reclaim their daily lives.¹,²

Personal journeys to relief

No one's Parkinson's experiences are identical. The same is true for the Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) journey. For some, the decision was about reducing a heavy medication load. For others, it was returning to activities that mattered most to them — like hiking, baking, or spending time with family.

These stories represent the real experiences of patients and care partners who decided that Boston Scientific's Vercise DBS System was the right choice for their future.

Received DBS in 2018

Suzanne's DBS story

Tired of living her life around a strict medication schedule, Suzanne's husband, Steve, remembers her tearfully apologizing for no longer being the mother and wife she used to be. Since DBS, Suzanne no longer plans her meals or outings around her medication. She drives, shops, and easily outpaces Steve when they go hiking.

Received DBS in 2018

Ken G.'s story

Ken’s PD had progressed to the point where he required his wife, Barb's, help just to get dressed or stand up from a chair. He was taking 8 pills a day and relied on a wheelchair for doctor visits. After DBS, Ken takes no Parkinson's medications, telling others that choosing DBS is like hitting the lottery.

Received DBS in 2018

Bill's story

Bill was already using a DBS System from another company, and wanted a rechargeable DBS system that better fit his lifestyle and long-term treatment preferences. He decided to switch to a Boston Scientific rechargeable system. Today, Bill can hold his grandchildren and walk around the block.

Received DBS in 2023

Bryan's story

After struggling with severe medication fluctuations and getting only 2 hours of "ON" time before crashing, Bryan pursued DBS right before his first child was born. Now, he enjoys playing with his kids and walking the dog.

Received DBS in 2024

Jason's story

At 45, the side effects of Jason’s medications had become unmanageable. He opted for DBS to precisely target his unique anatomy. Since DBS, he was able to completely stop taking his Parkinson's medications.

Received DBS in 2022

Ken S.'s story

After living with Parkinson’s for 10 years, Ken’s symptoms progressed, so it was hard to keep up with his active young son. To remain a present and energetic father, he chose DBS, leaving him with "more good days than bad."

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.

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Share your DBS story

Current Boston Scientific DBS patients are invited to share their unique stories. Show what life is really like when you’re living with DBS therapy to treat your Parkinson's disease.

Inspire others

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)?

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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. American Parkinson Disease Association. What is Parkinson's disease? American Parkinson Disease Association website. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.apdaparkinson.org/what-is-parkinsons
  2. Parkinson's Foundation. Statistics. Parkinson's Foundation website. Accessed April 13, 2026. https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics

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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