Slitt ventricles - overshunting

Dear all,

I've had a Sophy adjustable valve since 1987 and have been quite okay until 1997. In 1997/1998 I had three periods of crisis (severe headaches, vomiting and feeling very ill)but besides slightly enlarged ventricles no reason was found for it. The shunt was left on the position Low (which it had been since 1994). As I seemed to always recover myself within a couple of weeks no further research was done.  

In February 2002 I had a big crisis again (again with severe headaches and vomiting, but it lasted 1,5/2 days)An x-ray showed slitt ventricles. As I was abroad, nothing was done about it. In the months after I had several other periods of crisis which then disappeared by itself.

Back home (summer 2002) my doctor changed the shunt's position several times until it was on High (which it still is). The ventricles didn't enlarge, however. Although I haven't had these very severe periods of crisis anymore since the shunt is on H, I'm never really feeling good: I'm always sort of feeling tired/not awake, my eyes are hurting, I cannot concentrate well and sometimes have headaches. Since the beginning of 2004 these symptoms got worse. My doctor is aware of this but he believes it's a migraine and that it's better not too touch as I could end up feeling worse. As I'm used to hardly drinking, since August this year I've started drinking a lot of water (upto 3/4 litres a day) which helps, but I struggle keeping up these amounts. In the last months my headaches have become more frequent.

Would I really not be better of with a shunt draining less? Regards, Maria

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Without reviewing your scans and history in detail I cannot make a clinical diagnosis. Headaches can be due to draining to much CSF and to little. You have not discussed the underlying cause for needing a shunt, which could be contributng to your other symptoms. It would be reasonable to have a complete evaluation by a neurologist who can evaluate your symptoms and determine if other testing is necessary. Also, a consult with a neurosurgeon who specializes in shunts would be reasonable. Dr Luciano is our expert at the Cleveland Clinic. Good luck.

[Babycakes1]

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[natashaStanic]

A related discussion, tumor was started.