LP Shunt Malfunction

[Neon8RN]

I currently have an LP shunt due to Pseudotumor Cerebri/Intracranial Hypertension. It was first placed in April 2008,, with a revision done in December 2008 to add a programmable valve. Things have been going great until the last 3-4 weeks. I have started getting high pressure headaches again, like I did before the shunt was placed. I ended up in the ER, had shunt xrays taken twice, and eventually a spinal tap. My pressure was indeed elevated (in the 30s), so they took some of the extra fluid off. Then they programmed my shunt valve to let out extra fluid than it had previously been doing. I went home, and about 1 1/2 weeks later, I started to get the high pressure feeling back again. I went into the neurosurgeon's office and they programmed my valve down one more level, to let even more fluid out. Now, my shunt is programmed at the lowest level, and there is no more turning down that can be done.

I always get copies of my tests and medical reports after my visits to have for my personal records. Upon reading the reports of my shunt xrays from y ER visit, a kink was noticed in my shunt tubing near the valve. Noone ever said anything to me about this. They saw the kink in the first shunt xray, and took another shunt xray 4 hours later to verify that it was a kink...and it was. Now, I would think that this kink could be the cause of my problems. What do you think? If there is a kink, do I definitely need surgery to fix it?

Any similar experiences, advice, or comments is appreciated.