Can Parkinson’s patients have their medication reduced after pacemaker surgery?

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease of the middle-aged and elderly. In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease treatment, medications can be very effective in improving symptoms and are the preferred treatment for early Parkinson’s patients. However, after 3-5 years of treatment, the disease can become difficult to control after the “honeymoon” period. When the symptoms are no longer controlled by medication alone, and serious drug complications occur, deep brain electrical stimulation is the second honeymoon period, and the patient can resume normal life after surgery. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease stop taking their medication after the pacemaker surgery, because they think they can stop taking medication because the non-motor symptoms and the medial symptoms (swallowing disorders, balance and breathing problems) need to be improved by medication. The implantation of a “pacemaker” does not mean that you can stop taking medication. Usually, after the pacemaker is placed, the patient’s medication will be reduced by 50%, and the surgery can improve the movement disorder. As the disease progresses, the parameters need to be adjusted. However, the programmable device in the patient’s hands can only control the switch and adjust the voltage parameters, other parameters should be adjusted by the surgeon at the surgical hospital if needed. Post-operative follow-up is very important, and patients should communicate their progress to the surgeon for program control.