Hydrocephalus Concern

[rickyroq1]

Hi folks,Dr's, i recently had a vp shunt placed on Sept. 8th, 3-days ago they adjusted the valve to position 2, the adjustment has eliminated the vomiting,so for that im grateful. However, sometimes when i lay my head straight flat, i feel dizzyness. Another discomfort is not being able to work,so my main focus is will i be able to continue working like before? I beleive i might be able to function but i will need to be extra careful.  Lastly how many months does it really take to recover, if recoverable? thanks ricky roque

[rickyroq1]

Thanks for your reply & sorry for the delay. It's been a rollercoaster since my last comment in here. In regards to the double vision, i just started double vision like 6-7 months ago. Informed Neurology about the vision, they say the vp shunt is ok, it's not related to the shunt. I say it is, because the shunt control the csf into the ventricles which later changes the brain function. I have had 2 exams on my vision. 1st exam noted i have double vision. My vision seperates the objects side ways.  ____>  example  P  ((((()))))  P The second exam they noted it might be due to 2 reasons.  1.) A nerve might be damaged, repairable by (surgery). or 2.)a muscle might be damage repairable by -   vision theraphy. Afther the prognosis, i kinda gave it up because i been getting the run around. I quit driving at night, and only drive between 7am-8pm,  .  

[bharath1987]

Hi Sharma,

Please comment on Double vision due to hydrocephalus?

Below is my scenario

my younger brother ( 21 years ) recently met with and accident and had a severe head trauma and has subrochonied heomrage, his condition was very critical and also had a csf leakage from ears and with a great dificulty everything was got under control,after 10 days on we underwent a plastic surgery due fracture in his jaw and also  of his eye nerve was injured and for a month he was unable to open his left eye.

When he started opening he was saying it was a double vision for him, later few days it was normal.

Post hospitalization ( 20 days he was in hospital) exactly after 30  days he started saying head ache and on our vist to doc we got to know it was due to excess csf buildup.

We were said it is due to acquired hydrocephalus ( moderate hydrocephalus non-obstructing ) and placed a shunt on 24th September,2012.  from then he again started saying double vision problem.

Pleae let me know what is the reason for double vision ? is it due to shunt? or any other prob?

I want to understand the complications of shunt and want to know can he live a normal life. ( study,work, marriage)

Please suggest the precautions and care that needs to be taken.

Your suggestion and expert opinion will be a great help

[bharath1987]

Hi Ricky,

Even my yonger brother got hydrocephalus and shunt was placed in Sep,2012 since then he started saying double vision. is it a side affect ? of shunt ?

[rickyroq1]

Good morning & thanks for the professional feedback.  Yes, you were correct on the prognosis.  Neuro-Dr- stated my ventricals were enlagin again,which is why i was having those symptoms again. However during out 20 minute evaluation,i remembered quickly i had a adjustable shunt, so i recommented to see if it could be adjusted again to avoid surgery. The doc said, let me see your priors consultations. Moments later he stated, we adjusted you  months back & reviewing the CT scan imagery print screens to pin point exactly what level is the shunt currently on. moments afer reviewing those computer photos, neuro dr. adjusted the shunt 1 more level. However his is the last level there is to adjust, anything else requires a total different VP shunt system. Sadly to say, for about 2.5 months, my vision has lapse to double vision, its pretty weird feeling and scary,so to avoid a mess i decided to stop driving on the road or fwys. If i drive about 5 miles radius i need to close 1 eye so i can see straight and accurately. so in the meantime only driving within 5 miles radius if needed.  I have decided to get operated again so the neuro dr. can change the vp shunt. However will wait until January 2013, once the holidays are over, to avoid disgruntlement. Well thanks for listening,reading and your honest info.  
Thank You and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  
If you ask kindly, the SSI judge benched me from work for 12 months, so im away from any CDMA\LTE engineering work.   :(  

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The treatment for hydrocephalus usually focuses on remedying CSF overproduction or diverting the buildup away from the head by means of surgical intervention, which places tubes in head called shunts. These are usually conduited to abdomen or peritoneum, pleura or right atrium. There could be some serious complications with these including infection, over drainage, shunt malfunction. Therefore, hydrocephalus patients are regularly seen by a neurologist to ensure proper shunt function.  I would suggest that you go back to your neurosurgeon for correlation of these new symptoms with the change of valve position. It could be causing an elevated intracranai pressure or overdrainage. Hope this helps. Take care.