Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

vp shunt problem later in life...

My husband had a VP shunt placed when he was a newborn; he is now thirty and for the past week has had terrible pain around the shunt. He says it feels like the skin is tightining around the shunt. He can barely turn his neck anymore, is disoriented, and has severe headaches. He went to the ER and received little help. We have a follow up with a new neurologist, but everyone is scratching their heads right now. They said the CT shows possible dialation but not sure if this is new or from the hyrocephalus he had as a newborn. He is in pain and needs help; should we consider another VP shunt being placed or could this be something else?
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1618609 tn?1298778026
my name is jeff and i had a shunt put in for hydrocephalus when i was a newborn then had it rvised when i was four when i fell out of a trailer.Iam 42 now and my ventricals are swollen as well and i need a revision . My ventricles are pressing my brain tissue against my skull. Im kind of scared about having this surgery knowing I have a family now and my younger son is not here hes in texas. I hope it all goes well so I can see him again. Im also afraid I will not remember people when I wake up from surgery,  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Does anybody know what happens in the brain after a vp shunt has been in there?
I had a vp shunt placed in 1998 for  hydrocephalus due toaqauductal stenosis at the age of 48. After surgery I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease.
For the last few years I have had problems with double vision, balance problems, salty taste in mouth, no smell or taste (other then salt),  dizziness, pain around the shunt side. I have been to the surgeon, a neurologist, ear nose and throat etc etc. MRI cat scan's are good. It has come to the point that I am written off as a mental patient because the dr's can;t find anything wrong with me. I keep on falling and feel like I am drunk al the time. The line in my neck "travels" and sometimes sticks out, my bowels are a mess. So does anyone have any information on scar tissue in the brain and what it can do???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My wife was having the same issues for months and finally they found the ventricals in her head to be swallon. She had to have her V.P. Shunt revised and now is doing really well. if you have any question please contact ***@****
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I am a 28 year old female who had a VP shunt placed at 6 months of age.  It went great, but for the last 5 years I have had horrible pain around my incision in my abdomen.  No other problems.  Went though CTs and Xrays, saw a neurosurgeon, general surgeon, and my regular doctor.  The neurosurgeon said he would be more inclined to do surgery if he had done my 1 and only shunt revision when I was 13.  The general surgeon said I should put ice on it.  Basically, noone was alarmed, just adhesions.  Too much scar tissue where the skin doesn't even lie correctly, as it is being pulled too much.  I have been getting acupuncture for the pain for months and it is working.  In the last 2 weeks, the pain came back and my acupuncturist wants to talk to my last surgeon and see my xrays and CTs.  She will go into my abdominal scar area and break down the scar tissue, making sure not to hit the shunt itself.  She can tell there is scars pulling and lots of inflammation in the area.  She has gotten rid of much of the inflammation until this flare up.  I am excited for the breakup of it, but scared at the same time!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I too got my shunt later in life, at age 17, and Im 42 now.  I have been having this soreness around my shunt site on my head and my stomach has been upset....I also have a horrible taste in my mouth.  I have an appt with my neurosurgeion next week so I'm curious to see what he says.  I have had 2 children and had no issues with the shunt until now.  I will keep you posted.

Robyn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please inform us how your husband is doing.  My son is 30, as an infant recieved a shunt and is now doing horrible.  
We have a hundred disgnosis!!  Looking for help!!
When we was hospitalized 2 weeks ago and given high doses of antibotics - that was the first time we saw him as his old self in 15 months.  Now we are back where we started!
Help
concerned mom
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
make sure he gets a programmable shunt put in if they have to put in a shunt.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Another shunt is a last thing you have to do if nothing helps.
You have to visit a good neurologist/neurosurgeon and follow up the diagnosis as what is the reason of the present problem? If it is shunt related then go in that line of treatment whatever your neurosurgeon tells you.
Have patience and go for the best possible treatment for your husband.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease