slitt ventricles .. story continued from 22 Dec.

Dear doc.

Hopefully you'll be able to give me a more specific answer with some extra details although I realise it's difficult without seeing the case. The reason for my hydro was never researched but is probably due to Klippel-Feil syndrome which I was born with 25 years ago. My hydro at first went unnoticed and had my first shunt inserted when I was 3 months. As a child CT scans often showed normal size ventricles and only since 2002 slitt ones with symptoms. Summer 2004 I've had some thorough check up by my neurosurgeon, who did CT scan (still slitt ventricles) and Xray of the shunt system which was ok (only calcified). The ophtalmologist found dry eyes, but no real reason why they are hurting so much and check ups by internist and neurologist were ok. Drinking a lot of water (upto 4L)makes me feel little better but if I drink less I feel more tired, eyes are hurting more and get headaches. Problem is that drinking so much during the day means drinking nearly all the time and after I've done that for a couple of days I've just had enough of it as it makes me nauseous. As my shunt is now on H position and a high intake of water relieves my symptoms doesn't that mean overdrainage and a too low brain pressure?And would having a shunt that drains less not take my symptoms away or could there be any problems?Wonder whether my ventricles would enlarge again and if that would again cause trouble.I don't really care about the size of the ventricles, in fact in changing the shunt from L to H nothing happened, but I'd like to feel better again. Thanks again, Maria

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

It would be reasonable to have an evaluation by a neurologist who specializes in headache. It is possible that these symptoms are due to over draining. One possible test to perform, would be a spinal tap to determine the pressure within the central nervous system. If the pressure is low, this may provide evidence that there is over drainage. However, other causes for the headache such as migraines or tension headaches need to be excluded as well. Good luck.