Gabriel's Life

Gabriel's Life » Living with Hydrocepahlus - Adults

1. HydroHusband
   Member

   Hello

   My husband has had a shunt for 15 years. He was diagnosed when he was 28 and had surgery the same year and has had no revisions.

   He has constant thoughts that the shunt is failing and he will need another surgery. He has gone to the hospital several times where they do catscans and MRIs and he has a hospital bracelet collection to remind himself that he is ok. He started going much more frequently right before we got married, when I was pregnant, and once our son was born.

   He now feels a pinch around the shunt from his upper chest down through his testicles. He has a VP shunt. He spoke to his neurosurgeon about it and he said it was normal.

   He is so anxious about something happening. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with the anxiety or depression - for him or any ways I can help him? Is anyone dealing with the pinching?

   Thank you
   Nina

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. PMBlind
   Member

   Nina,

   Does your husband experience any of the following symptoms?

   Headache
   Vision Problems
   Irritability
   Tiredness
   Personality Change
   Loss of Coordination or Balance
   Difficulty in Waking Up or Staying Awake
   Return of Gait Disturbance
   Mild Dementia
   Incontinence

   If he does have more than one, then he probably is having a shunt malfunction.

   My shunt lasted 10 yrs before I had my first revision done in 2003. In all I have had my shunt in for 15 yrs now. My tubing needed to be replaced due to a rupture.

   Philip W. Myers
   braillemonster@hotmail.com

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. krystakitty
   Member

   Hello Nina,

   I have had Hydrocephalus since I was born in 1987 and have had 5 revisions. My neurosuergon says shunts usually last about 30 years before they begin to wear out. Trust me, if something is wrong like a shunt malfunction, you and your husband will now right away. The red flags are headaches with sensitivity to light and vomitting probably every 10 minutes. I wear a medical id bracelet and it makes me feel a lot more secure. Your husband can get one at the "American Medical ID" website, just google it. Also, at the place where I work, i trust the knowledge of my condition to my managers in case of an emergency and I am guessing htey are happy I did. God bless your family and good luck.

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. PMBlind
   Member

   My main shunt is still the original. The only part that had to be revised was to have a new tubing replaced and reconnected.

   Ever since my surgery, I have started giving my managers and supervisors at work, information about the Hydrocephalus and symptoms to watch for if any problems occur when I am at work.

   What information is on your medical bracelet?

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. curlyfry
   Member

   I agree wtih PMBlind there would be no question if the shunt was malfunctioning. When my shunt has malfunctioned in the past I got a horrible headache that wouldn't go away. I couldn't keep anything down. I couldn't stand any lights. my eyes dialate differently (one pupil is smaller than the other) and I feel like I can't hold my head up. It falls straight back. For some reason this makes it feel a little better. So you see there really is no mistaking a true malfunction.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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