Bart Rodgers

Bart Rodgers, surrounded by family: a major life-change

Phoenix resident Bart Rodgers has suffered from headaches his entire life, but 10 years ago his pain took a turn for the worse.

"Migraine headaches had been a part of my life since I was young, but in 1997 something changed," says the 47-year-old Rodgers. "It was just like someone was sticking me with an ice pick in my right eye. The pain would last 60 to 90 seconds and would occur about 150 times a day. My life was shut down. I was shut down."

'Someone out there can help you'

Rodgers' disabling headaches tore his work and family life apart. "I have four kids,and for them to see their father in that much pain - it is hard to put into words." says Rodgers. "I went to a number of specialists to find an answer. My wife, Deb, continued to say we had to keep looking. She kept saying that there was someone out there to help me. I had given up, but she hadn't."

At that time he was experiencing close to 4,000 severe headaches each month. Rodgers visited many specialists around the U.S. and had been hospitalized many times for IV therapy and had no alternative treatment plan. He was eventually diagnosed with SUNCT syndrome, a rare disorder which stands for "short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing." SUNCT syndrome causes stabbing or burning eye pain that may resemble cluster headaches, but attacks are very brief, lasting about a minute, and may occur more than 100 times per day. Red and watery eyes, sweating forehead and congestion are typical. This headache is more common in men and does not respond to other headache treatments.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for SUNCT syndrome. Rodgers thought he was destined to live his life without hope. But then, through his wife's friend, he found Mayo Clinic neurologist, Dr. David Dodick.

"I remember my first visit to Dr. Dodick's office at Mayo," recalls Rodgers. "I was in his office and I had an attack."

"It became clear fairly quickly that every medication that could be tried had been tried," says Dr. Dodick. "Mr. Rodgers was young and he needed help."

New hope for treatment

Based on the preliminary success experienced by investigators in Milan, Italy, using deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a single patient with SUNCT, Dr. Dodick felt, the procedure could be Rodgers' only hope. DBS is a surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms, including the tremor and stiffness associated with Parkinson's disease. However, in Rodgers' case, the stimulator is inserted into a different region of the brain called the hypothalamus, where SUNCT is believed to originate.

"I approached our team to discuss the option of DBS," says Dr. Dodick. "When Mr. Rogers came along, because there were really no other medical options for him, I thought this procedure might be an option."

DBS uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device about the size of a stopwatch, called a neurostimulator. The device is the neurological equivalent of a heart pacemaker. It delivers electrical stimulation to very precise targets in the brain. Because the procedure had only been tried once before, a number of unknowns were present.

"Dr. Dodick explained that there were many unknowns about the procedure, including side effects," says Rodgers. "I had faith in Dr. Dodick and Mayo Clinic and decided to take the risk."

Rodgers underwent the DBS procedure for SUNCT syndrome on Jan. 10, 2007. It was the first time in the U.S. that the treatment option had been used for this specific condition. The procedure took approximately two hours. Rodgers spent an additional two days in the hospital.

A huge change in quality life

Nearly three months later, Rodgers found needed relief from his condition. He is improved by more than 70 percent, a huge change in the quality of his life. "I am truly blessed," says Rodgers. "I honestly had no life and I am gradually getting it back. My goal is to be headache-free by this spring."

Rodgers enjoys a number of outdoor activities, including fishing. "My true passion is fishing," he says. "If I get well, I hope to get out and hit the water again. I am so grateful to Mayo and the staff. I really don't think I would have made it to this day without their help. Dr. Dodick was sent to me. He is my hero."