When Rajendra Uppal’s wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in December 2018, the family initially managed her condition with medication. As the disease continued, Rajendra began looking for other treatment options that could potentially provide better symptom control.
His search for Deep Brain Stimulation eventually led him to Dr. Paresh Doshi in Mumbai. Importantly, the family was able to have their initial questions about DBS addressed through a video consultation before travelling to Mumbai.
Rajendra Uppal
★★★★★
“My wife, aged 61 years, has been a Parkinson’s patient since December 2018. She was on medication for Parkinson’s disease, and I was very concerned about finding the best possible treatment for my better half.
I was continuously searching on Google and YouTube for information about DBS. By the grace of Sai Baba, I came in contact with Dr. Paresh Doshi.
I took an appointment for a video consultation, and all my queries regarding DBS were cleared by him.
Dr. Paresh Doshi performed the surgery in the third week of June. It was a successful surgery, and my wife was doing quite well before discharge from the hospital.
I thank Dr. Paresh Doshi and pray to God to bless him with enough strength to continue serving humanity.
God bless you, Doctor.”
Rajendra Uppal
Punjab
Rajendra’s experience highlights something that many families living far from Mumbai can relate to.
Before deciding on DBS, families often have many questions:
A video consultation can help patients and families understand the treatment and discuss their concerns before making arrangements to travel.
For patients from Punjab, the first step does not necessarily have to begin with a journey to Mumbai.
It can begin with a conversation.
Punjab has a large population of people who remain actively involved in their families, businesses, professions and agricultural activities well into their later years.
For a person between 45 and 75 living with Parkinson’s disease, the impact of the condition can extend far beyond tremor.
A farmer may struggle to walk around the fields or perform tasks that require steady movement.
A business owner may find it increasingly difficult to manage daily responsibilities.
A working professional may struggle with stiffness, slowness or medication fluctuations during the working day.
A retired person may find that Parkinson’s is interfering with travel, social activities or time with family.
A homemaker may find everyday household activities increasingly difficult.
For each of these patients, the question is not simply:
“Do I have Parkinson’s disease?”
It is:
“How much is Parkinson’s disease affecting my independence and quality of life, and could DBS be appropriate for me?”
DBS may be considered in appropriately selected patients when Parkinson’s symptoms are no longer adequately controlled with medication or when medication-related problems become increasingly troublesome.
Potential situations include:
However, DBS is not appropriate for everyone with Parkinson’s disease.
A detailed evaluation is necessary to determine whether the potential benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for an individual patient.
For appropriately selected patients, DBS can provide meaningful improvement in certain motor symptoms.
Depending on the individual patient, potential benefits may include improvement in:
Some patients may also be able to reduce their Parkinson’s medication after DBS, depending on their clinical response.
However, DBS is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Not every symptom responds equally to stimulation, and individual outcomes vary.
The purpose of a DBS evaluation is therefore not to promise a particular result, but to determine whether the patient is likely to benefit.
This is one of the first questions many families ask.
Punjab has experienced neurologists and hospitals, so it is natural for families to wonder why they should consider travelling to Mumbai for DBS.
The answer should not be based simply on geography.
DBS is a complete treatment journey involving:
Patient selection → Evaluation → Surgical planning → DBS surgery → Programming → Medication adjustment → Long-term follow-up
The experience of the team performing and managing DBS therefore becomes an important consideration.
For an individual patient, the right question may be:
“Where can my family member receive the most appropriate evaluation and DBS care for their particular condition?”
Travelling from Punjab to Mumbai is certainly a bigger journey than travelling within the state.
But distance alone should not prevent a patient from exploring an appropriate treatment option.
The journey can be planned around the patient’s medical requirements.
Before travelling, patients can organise their previous medical records, medication history, scans and neurologist’s reports.
An initial consultation can also help the family understand whether further evaluation is required before making arrangements for treatment.
The objective is to make the journey planned rather than uncertain.
Cost is another common concern for families travelling from another state.
It is important to distinguish between:
These are related to the medical treatment, hospital care, surgical procedure, DBS system and other components included in the treatment package.
These may include:
A patient’s DBS treatment cost does not automatically become higher simply because they live in Punjab.
Families should ask for a current, itemised estimate of the treatment and understand exactly what is included before making a decision.
DBS surgery is one part of the treatment process.
After surgery, the stimulation system needs to be programmed and adjusted according to the patient’s symptoms and response.
This may involve:
Surgery → Programming → Observation → Adjustment → Medication optimisation → Follow-up
The frequency of follow-up varies from patient to patient.
The treating DBS team can explain the expected follow-up schedule and help the family plan future visits.
One of the concerns families from Punjab may have is:
“Will we have to keep travelling to Mumbai every time the DBS device needs adjustment?”
This is an important question to discuss with the treating team before surgery.
DBS programming involves adjusting the stimulation settings to achieve an appropriate balance between symptom control and potential side effects.
Because programming is an important part of DBS management, patients should understand the follow-up process before deciding where to undergo surgery.
This video can help patients and families understand what happens after DBS surgery and why programming is an important part of the treatment journey.
For families from Punjab, the first step does not have to be booking a flight to Mumbai.
It can begin with a consultation.
During an initial consultation, the doctor can review the patient’s condition, understand the symptoms, discuss previous treatment and explain whether a detailed DBS evaluation may be appropriate.
This allows the family to make travel plans with greater clarity.
Dr. Paresh Doshi: DBS Neurosurgeon in Mumbai
Dr. Paresh Doshi is a neurosurgeon specialising in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, including Deep Brain Stimulation. He is Director of Neurosurgery and Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai.
His DBS practice involves more than the surgical procedure itself. Patient selection, treatment planning, surgery, programming and long-term management are all important components of the DBS journey.
For patients travelling from Punjab, this complete approach can be particularly important because the family needs clarity about the entire treatment pathway before travelling.
Yes. Patients from Punjab can travel to Mumbai for DBS evaluation and treatment. The suitability of DBS depends on the individual patient’s medical and neurological assessment.
A video consultation may help patients discuss their medical history and initial questions before travelling. The treating team can advise what information and reports are required.
Age alone does not determine whether someone is suitable for DBS. Overall health, Parkinson’s symptoms, medication response, cognitive status and other factors need to be considered.
DBS can provide significant tremor improvement in appropriately selected patients. The expected response varies depending on the patient’s diagnosis and clinical characteristics.
Some patients may be able to reduce their Parkinson’s medication following DBS. Any medication changes must be guided by the treating doctor.
No. DBS is not a cure. It is a treatment that can help control certain symptoms in appropriately selected patients.
The duration varies depending on the patient’s evaluation, surgery, recovery and programming requirements. Patients travelling from Punjab should discuss the expected stay with the treating team before making arrangements.
Follow-up requirements vary. DBS programming and medication management are important parts of treatment, and the treating team will recommend an appropriate follow-up plan.
The patient’s state of residence does not itself determine the DBS treatment cost. However, travel, accommodation and other personal expenses need to be considered separately.
Patients and families may consider Mumbai based on the experience and expertise of the DBS team, patient selection, surgical planning, programming and long-term management. The decision should be individualised rather than based solely on geographical distance.
If Parkinson’s disease is increasingly affecting movement, independence or everyday life despite medication, a DBS evaluation may help determine whether this treatment could be appropriate.
You do not have to make the decision alone.
Discuss your condition with Dr. Paresh Doshi and understand your options before deciding on surgery.
Request a Video Consultation
Contact the DBS Team – 9930990777
DBS is not suitable for every patient with Parkinson’s disease or another movement disorder. Treatment decisions should be based on a comprehensive individual assessment. Potential benefits, risks and outcomes vary from patient to patient. The information on this page is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical consultation.