I had DBS installed in March 2015. Earlier this week, I was assessed to gauge my progress.
My medication was stopped the night before. I could just about bathe and dress myself though walking involved a lot of shuffling and gripping of door frames. I could still tie my own shoelaces (Jubilation!). My assessment started at 9.00am and would take the whole morning. I was given a memory test and videoed performing various tasks. Then my DBS was switched off and I performed the tasks again. I was a mess. When asked to walk, I stood up and tried to walk, but I couldn't! I could not put one foot in front of the other. The messages were just not getting through to my feet. My body's thermostat was going wild and I was overheating. I was not a happy person. I then took my standard medication and my DBS was switched back on. After 45 minutes I performed the tasks yet again and was much better.
On the whole, I am glad I had DBS installed. I am on pretty much the same medication I was on before DBS. The only thing I would change is I wish I had managed my expectations better. The various spectacular YouTube videos of people switching off/on their DBS coloured my view and made it far too rosy. My DBS has not been spectacular, I cannot leap tall buildings, I just feel better. The thing I am happiest about is that I feel far more positive, I no longer slump in my tatty armchair waiting for my pills to kick in. I do things and think things.
I wish you well.
Peter.