When Medications Fail: The Cutting Edge of Dystonia Treatment – Deep Brain Stimulation and Botox
When Medications Fail: The Cutting Edge of Dystonia Treatment – Deep Brain Stimulation and Botox
The story of most dystonia patients starts similarly. You visit a doctor with hope and are given a handful of medications. At first—maybe weeks or months—muscle contractions ease, tremors decrease, and you may think, “It’s getting better.”
However, dystonia is persistent. Over time, medications may lose effectiveness or cause side effects (excessive sleepiness, dizziness, forgetfulness), making life harder than the condition itself. Quality of life declines.
It’s normal for patients and families to feel discouraged—but remember, there are always alternatives. You don’t have to live like this forever. Your body is not your enemy—you can make peace with it.
Neurosurgery has undergone a remarkable revolution over the last 20 years. Now, it is possible to intervene in the brain’s tiny malfunctioning areas and restore the system to its “factory settings.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sorar’s expertise in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and advanced Botox treatments offers dystonia patients one of the safest paths to relief and freedom. Let’s explore these methods clearly, without fear or stress.
Botox: A Step Toward Freedom
If you think of Botox (Botulinum Toxin) only as a cosmetic or anti-wrinkle treatment, think again. In neurological disorders, it is one of the most powerful and practical tools available.
It is particularly effective for focal dystonias such as cervical dystonia, eyelid spasms, or jaw contractions—essential steps before considering surgery.
How Botox Works
Your brain keeps sending faulty signals: “Contract, turn right!” Botox blocks this signal at the junction between the nerve and muscle. The muscle “understands” no command is coming and relaxes.
Dr. Mehmet Sorar does not inject randomly. Using EMG (electromyography) or ultrasound guidance, he precisely targets the affected muscle and injects the medication at its core. The procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Advantages: No surgery, no incision, no anesthesia. You can have it done during lunch and return to work immediately.
Reality: Effects last 3–4 months on average, after which muscles regain activity. But those months of normal movement and comfort are invaluable.
When Medications and Botox Are Not Enough: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
If dystonia spreads throughout the body, causes trunk bending, or cervical dystonia no longer responds to Botox, you are not out of options—Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is available.
This system is similar to a pacemaker, but it regulates brain rhythm instead of the heart. You will not “walk around with a chip in your head.”
What Happens During Surgery?
DBS surgery is a precise procedure in which Dr. Mehmet Sorar applies his extensive experience.
Awake Surgery: The patient is awake at the critical stage. You may talk with the team because there is no pain inside the brain. When the electrode reaches the target, contractions can be immediately assessed—a moment of immense relief for the patient.
Electrode Placement: Tiny holes, smaller than a chickpea, are drilled into the skull. Hair-thin electrodes are guided to the malfunctioning brain region (globus pallidus).
Battery Implantation: The electrodes are connected under the skin to a battery the size of a matchbox, placed below the collarbone. Nothing is visible externally.
The system suppresses the brain’s chaotic, faulty signals with regular, rhythmic electrical impulses, reducing contractions by 80–90%, allowing patients to walk unaided and eat without spilling—moments that feel like rebirth.
Who Should Consider DBS?
Not every dystonia patient is a candidate for surgery. Dr. Sorar evaluates carefully:
- Medications are ineffective or cause intolerable side effects.
- Botox no longer works, or the body has developed immunity.
- Dystonia prevents work, school, or social life.
Early intervention is crucial before permanent skeletal changes (scoliosis, calcification) occur. Once bones are deformed, correcting them is difficult. Acting early can be life-changing.
Post-Surgery: Meet Your Freer Self
A common fear: “Will the DBS turn me into a robot?” Relax. DBS does not affect thoughts, emotions, memory, or personality.
It only acts on motor function, correcting signals that move your arm, leg, or neck. You remain fully yourself, only more free—no trembling, no bending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is DBS risky?
A: Every surgery carries risk, even tonsillectomy. DBS has a life-threatening risk under 1% worldwide. Most common risks—infection or temporary bleeding—are minimal with experienced hands and sterile conditions.
Q: What happens if the battery dies?
A: Electrodes in the brain are permanent. Only the chest battery may need replacement. Non-rechargeable batteries last 3–5 years; rechargeable ones, 15–25 years. Replacement is a 15-minute local procedure.
Q: Will I improve immediately?
A: Relief can be felt in surgery, but full effect starts 2–3 weeks later when the device is programmed. Brain adaptation and muscle relaxation may take months.
Q: Does insurance cover DBS?
A: DBS is costly, but SGK may cover part or all costs if criteria are met. Dr. Sorar’s team guides patients transparently throughout this process.
Don’t Delay Your Path to Freedom
Closing yourself off, feeling anxious, or avoiding normal activities due to dystonia does not have to be your fate.
DBS and advanced Botox treatments are the most powerful, reliable solutions modern medicine offers. The surgeon’s expertise is as critical as the technology itself.
In Ankara, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sorar provides transparent, trustworthy care from start to finish. Reclaim control of your life—run toward freedom with confidence.
Don’t wait for freedom. Control is in your hands.
Wishing you a smooth recovery.