Hydrocephalus in adults

[crjudge]

My son is 35 and was born with hydrocephalus.  He has a shunt into his abdoman.  His life has been great and normal.  What are the symptoms he should watch for as an adult if there are problems?  Should he get regular checkups with a neurosurgeon as he did when he was a child?

[Miguk]

Is it possible to not have surgery and still live a semi-normal life?  Or is surgery inevitable.

[hydrogurl]

Hi there, I also have hydrocephalus was diagnosed over 2 years ago. I had a third ventriculostomy operation when my symptoms were starting to get worse. (symptoms that raised alarm bells with the neurologist were heavy legs: I felt like my feet were stuck to the ground and I also had balance difficulties) I have been told that part of the hydrocephalus symptoms are cognitive and organisational difficulties. I have trouble with planning different things every day..it can be very frustrating.

Your son should definately keep in touch with a neurologist or neurosurgeon, maybe just once a year just to be safe...thats what i do now every year, Doctors may notice changes that we are unaware of.

I just recently joined this site in the last few days, I am hoping to finally make contact with others who also have hydrocephalus. Please feel free to message me with a reply..it would be great to hear from you and your son.

Goodluck with it all