Fluctuations in CSF/14 shunt revisions

I was diagnosed with pseudo tumor cerebri after sustaining an injury to my head ( however they can't be sure as I was never overweight).Since then I have always had problems with very high pressure.I have had 12 shunt revisions for a LP shunt.  In 2008 I had my son and since then my CSF has become very low ( low enough to cause sagging in my brain, and 2 herniations).  They installed a VP shunt with a programmable valve, but no one can seem to figure out the right setting. My CSF if always either too high or to low.  My question is what can cause such a dramatic change in CSF?

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hello, Thank you for your question. If you have continuous symptoms and fluctuation like that, possible causes may be shunt is either under-draining or over-draining. Your doctor can assess this with a lumbar puncture and measures the fluid pressure. He/She may make some adjustment of the shunt to allow it to drain more and can monitor if the symptoms improves. Another possibility could be shunt is over-draining, that may lead to low CSF pressure that can also lead to headache. This may improve when the person lies down and gets worse when the person sits or stands. Other possibility could be any circulatory disorder related to heart condition or blood vessel disorder. As you are suffering from continuous symptoms, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the further underlying disorders here that may be the main reasons of her headaches and can suggest her appropriate treatment. Hope this information proves helpful to you.