I don't know if I got this posted the first time, but my problem is the ongoing headache with congenital hydro one. I am 41 years old and have had this chronic problem that my NS has been trying to figure out for over 7 months now. My NS said that I will not be better off if I got any surgery to fix my shunt, but I fear that overdrainage is occurring. Other than the stiff neck and prolonged headaches, I have not had many other symptoms. I have had the following tests over that time though: MRI's CT's ICP's and trigger point injections. I find out MRI and CT results on Feb 2, as he is watching my DW cyst as well. Lying down to rest helps, but can hurt my head at first, as I have a gravitational VP shunt. Mornings and evenings hurt the worst, and, like migraines, light, loud noises, and stress bother the headaches. I am female which makes a difference, I have read as well, The past few years have been "infection" scary when it comes to revision, and my NS is reluctant to to the revision for than reason as well. So, I was told to get a second opinion, and here I am, please help.
Beth
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
It is important to do shunt surgery in patients with hydrocephalus as there are many complications of raised intracranial pressure which can cause brain damage.
Headaches do occur after shunt surgery and can indicate infections, and blockade of shunt. Since these possibilities have been ruled out and the shunt seems to be functioning well, other causes like you mentioned low blood sugar need to be looked at. It is important to make sure that he is well hydrated at all times and eats regularly and on time to prevent dehydration and low blood sugar. Take care!
I found this in wikapedia...hope it helps.
Shunt complications
Examples of possible complications include shunt malfunction, shunt failure, and shunt infection. Although a shunt generally works well, it may stop working if it disconnects, becomes blocked (clogged), infected, or it is outgrown. If this happens the cerebrospinal fluid will begin to accumulate again and a number of physical symptoms will develop (headaches, nausea, vomiting, photophobia/light sensitivity), some extremely serious, like seizures. The shunt failure rate is also relatively high (some sources cite up to 45% chance of shunt failure in the first year following placement)[citation needed] and it is not uncommon for patients to have multiple shunt revisions within their lifetime.
The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid buildup is complex and requires specialist expertise.
Another complication can occur when CSF drains more rapidly than it is produced by the choroid plexus, causing symptoms -listlessness, severe headaches, irritability, light sensitivity, auditory hyperesthesia (sound sensitivity), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, migraines, seizures, a change in personality, weakness in the arms or legs, strabismus, and double vision - to appear when the patient is vertical. If the patient lies down, the symptoms usually vanish in a short amount of time. A CT scan may or may not show any change in ventricle size, particularly if the patient has a history of slit-like ventricles. Difficulty in diagnosing overdrainage can make treatment of this complication particularly frustrating for patients and their families.
Resistance to traditional analgesic pharmacological therapy may also be a sign of shunt overdrainage or failure. Diagnosis of the particular complication usually depends on when the symptoms appear - that is, whether symptoms occur when the patient is upright or in a prone position, with the head at roughly the same level as the feet.
Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"