Kate Kelsall just wrote a wonderful post on her blog Shake Rattle and Roll about being on top of ones batteries for those who have had DBS surgery. Her last point I feel is especially important to keep in mind:
If your doctor doesn’t normally do so, it is important to have the charge in your IPG battery periodically monitored, particularly the longer it has been implanted. Although the typical lifespan of the battery is three to five years, it varies from individual to individual depending upon your particular settings (including, amplitude, pulse width and frequency, as well as the number of active contacts utilized). And, if at all possible, try to anticipate the waning of your battery so that you have sufficient time to schedule replacement surgery.
