TAMPA, Fla. — Some Parkinson’s patients on multiple medications are finding relief from movement symptoms and side effects from that medicine through a treatment called deep brain stimulation.

“A little bit like using a pacemaker to regulate the activity of the movement circuit of the brain,” explained Dr. Yarema Bezchlibnyk

A neurologist associated with Tampa General Hospital and USF Health, Bezchlibnyk said the treatment can help reduce symptoms of stiffness, slowness and tremors. The stimulation is controlled by a device placed underneath the skin.

Parkinson's patient Wayne MacLaughlin says he’s benefitting from DBS.

“Immediately, all the stiffness in my extremities went away,” said MacLaughlin, who was diagnosed in 2011 and said he previously had trouble standing. 

“By 2019 I was on 17 different medications, and it wasn’t getting me through the day,” he said.

The 60-year-old said he is now getting through the day with more independence.

“A lot of people actually feel when they get the diagnosis that their life is over," he said. "And I never subscribed to that. What I have is I have a new normal."

“So what I need to do, is be," he said. "And I firmly believe this with other people who have the same normal.”

One way MacLaughlin does that is by participating in Parkinson’s programs provided by the Tampa JCCs and Federation. During a recent voice therapy class for Parkinson's patients at  Tremble Clefs, a voice therapy class for Parkinson’s patients, MacLaughlin said support from other Parkinson’s patients is comforting.

He added that he’s gone from 17 pills a day to eight since DBS.

Bezchlibnyk said DBS can also be used to treat essential tremor, OCD, dystonia, epilepsy, and it’s currently being studied as a way to treat depression.

Doctors stress DBS does not cure Parkinson’s, but say it can help lessen symptoms.