Our Ambassadors
The decision to undergo treatment with an implantable therapy is deeply personal and very complex. If you suffer from chronic pain or Parkinson's disease, your doctor will be the main source of information about these therapies. However, many people suggest that it can help to talk to someone who has undergone a similar experience.
Our Ambassadors have agreed to share their personal stories with you - including their reasons for choosing an implantable therapy and how it has affected their lives. Our ambassadors are also happy for you to contact them with any questions you have about their experiences.
We hope their contribution will help you to make a confident, informed decision about which treatment option is best for you.
The following articles recount the experiences of people who are using Medtronic therapies to suppress chronic pain and some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Medtronic invited these people to share their stories candidly. As you read them, please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to these particular people. As with all medical treatment not every response is the same - results vary.
Ambassador 1 - Rachel and mum Margaret
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy for spasticity
Margaret adopted Rachel when she was two years old, knowing she had cerebral palsy. As Rachel grew, the severity of her spasms meant that in order to relax them, she required large doses of an oral anti-spasticity drug. However, the amount of drug required made her too drowsy to function in school. Since being implanted with an ITB pump, Margaret says Rachel has become more verbal, sleeps better through the night and "just looks like a normal teenager."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 2 - Graham and Bronwyn
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
At 47 years of age, Parkinson's disease forced Graham to give up his job as a security officer. He was prescribed medication to help control his symptoms, however these medications had side-effects that were intolerable for Graham and his wife Bronwyn. When they heard about deep brain stimulation, they jumped at the chance. Says Graham, "It's a completely new life. Physically I can do almost anything now. It's better than I imagined."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 3 - Lorraine
Neurostimulation for chronic angina pain
For Lorraine, chronic angina pain for the past 15 years has meant being restricted with her activities. Despite taking various oral medications, Lorraine was still in pain. Neurostimulation has meant Lorraine can now exercise, and has a much better quality of life. Says Lorraine, "I can do all the things now that I was having trouble doing before."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 4 - Kirby and mum Jackie
ITB therapy for spasticity
Kirby's cerebral palsy meant she was having spasms and was in constant pain before an oral anti-spasticity drug made life much easier. However, Kirby began to need greater and greater doses of the drug for it to be effective. ITB therapy now means 11 year-old Kirby experiences greater relief with lower doses of drug, reducing her spasms and pain. Kirby can sleep better and enjoys playing with her four older brothers. Says Jackie, "She just brings so much joy into our lives."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 5 - Neil
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Neil's Parkinson's disease was controlled in the early years following his diagnosis, by medication. Over time however, the medications became less effective and the side-effects were intolerable; to the point where Neil couldn't do anything with his family and grandchildren. Neil underwent deep brain stimulation in November 2005, and the improvement was immediate. Says Neil, "I have 95 percent of my life back."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 6 - Wendy
Neurostimulation for chronic pain
Wendy's experience with chronic pain began five years ago, when what should have been a simple operation to fix a hiatus hernia and reflux went drastically wrong. Chronic pain sent Wendy's life on a downward spiral, leading to the loss of custody of her son. Since having neurostimulation in 2005, Wendy has regained custody of her son, taken on many new activities, and has a whole new outlook on life. Says Wendy, "The neurostimulator gave me back my life."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 7 - Ian
Intrathecal drug delivery for chronic pain
Ian led an active life until two vehicle accidents left him with chronic pain. Ian tried a number of options before being implanted with an intrathecal drug delivery pump. Now, Ian is back to leading a normal life. "I can't live without it. It's as simple as that."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 8 - Kay
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Kay realised she had Parkinson's disease when she was pregnant with her first child, and raised her children while trying to deal with the symptoms of the disease. Kay responded very well to the prescribed medication, but the effects eventually wore off. Since undergoing deep brain stimulation, Kay has experienced great improvements in her balance and gross motor movements.
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 9 - Sean
Rechargeable spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain
Sean had been working as a merchant seaman for almost forty years when a simple accident not only ended his career, but left him in excruciating pain. He recently underwent spinal cord stimulation with a rechargeable system. "For blocking out pain, the stimulator is the way to go. I think that anything where you're not taking lots of drugs - and let's face it, opioids are a pretty heavy drug - is a good thing".
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 10 - Richard
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Richard Moir enjoyed many years as a successful actor in Australian film and television before Parkinson's disease changed his life. Richard's main symptom of Parkinson's was freezing, which rendered him quite immobile. Richard underwent deep brain stimulation, and "now I stand up with ease, where once it had been an almighty struggle. I cross the room like any normal person going for a stroll."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 11 - Luke and mum Julie
Deep brain stimulation for primary dystonia
Luke was a healthy, happy little boy until the age of six. He then began to suffer from the symptoms of dystonia, which became worse and worse, eventually confining him to a wheelchair. Luke underwent deep brain stimulation in 2005 at the age of 17, and now "I can hop into any car. I can do so much more. I can ride a bike, kick a footy, play cricket, everything!"
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 12 - Shona
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain
Shona was 26 years of age when her chronic pain began as the result of a work injury. Shona lived in a fog for the next 12 months, from the side effects of her medication, before trying surgery which helped her back problems but didn't help the pain. Shona was then implanted with a spinal cord stimulator, and says "I wouldn't be without it. I can't believe what a difference it has made; it's given me control back of my life."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 13 - Terry
Intrathecal drug delivery for chronic pain
Terry endured nearly four decades of chronic pain in his back, hips and legs, along with years of side effects from high levels of oral medication, after a flying accident. Then Terry underwent treatment with an intrathecal drug delivery pump... "They have given me my life back."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 14 - Judy
Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
When Judy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in her thirties, she was told that she would be wheelchair-bound and in a nursing home within five years. She tried levadopa drugs, which controlled her tremor, but they gradually became less effective. Judy underwent deep brain stimulation in 2003 and now reports "I'm having a better quality of life."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 15 - Judith
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain
A simple slip on bus steps led to chronic pain for Judith. The resulting back injury gave her pain in her lower leg that was helped by oral medication; but her pain was constant. Judith now has a spinal cord stimulator, which eases her pain enough to manage her busy lifestyle... "The machine has helped me get on with life."
More about Ambassador >>
Download PDF >>
Ambassador 16 - Helen
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain
Helen suffered from chronic pain as a result of bowel dysmotility, and oral medications were not an option because they aggravated her condition. Eventually, Helen underwent spinal cord stimulation, allowing her to "keep off medication completely."
More about Ambassador > >
Download PDF >>
