Over the last week my daughter has been experiencing shooting pain in the shunt area. They last any where from a minute to five with numerous shooting pains. It is becoming more often and more sever as each day goes by. We have been to the neurosurgeon and had all the usual scans done even an eeg. He believes it is caused from scar tissue. If anyone has had similar problems please let me know your take on this. Worried mom.
Gabriel's Life » General
shooting pains in the shunt area?
(12 posts)
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Hey, I am still learning about my hydrocephalus too but I have had much pain in my scar tissue. I've had my shunt for 18 years. the neurosurgeon explained to me that nerves can get caught in the scar tissue and cause it to hurt. she also told me that lack of sleep or too much stress could lead to this problem getting worse. Hope this helps.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just wanted to reply to this topic. The only time I remember shooting type pains was BEFORE I had my shunt, with vomiting. I don't remember having any shooting pain with a shunt. The thing that is weird with my new one(I have 2) is that it bulges under my skin....feels weird even 8 or so months later(surgery May '07).
Posted 2 years ago # -
I think I know what you mean about it bulging under the skin. I can still feel where mine is all the way until it reaches my collar bone, after there it kinda disapears. I've always been able to feel it even before it messed up, it messed up when I was 13. I got my shunt when I was a few weeks old. Don't know if this is what your talking about or not but hope it helps.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yeah unfortunately the only time I can recall getting shooting pains was with severe migranes and vomiting, and this was right before I had a shunt revision. Although, I do get different pains sometimes, where it feels like the shunt becomes stuck to the skin.So I try stretching and after a few minutes it seems to break loose again. This could be similar to what your child is experiencing. I wouldn't worry too much right now, but keep a close watch to make sure other things do not start to bother her.
Posted 2 years ago # -
my daughter had shooting pains for quite a while right where the shunt tracked her head. she had numerous surgeries on the same area, and truly about 9 months later it stopped. but those 9 months were long. docs. said it was just scar tissue and neuropathic pain and i guess they right.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks for your reply's although I had a great trust in the neurosurgeon my daughter was seeing I had to follow my instincts and get a second opinion. Turns out my daughter was experiencing shunt malfunction due to a valve failure and over drainage we ended up in Phoenix seeing her original neuro and he performed surgery the day after her visit. We have only been home since Last Friday and now we will be returning because she has a stitch that is sticking out of her head that has to be removed surgically. I am not sorry for getting my second opinion, since she would still be suffering had I not. To anyone reading this remember to follow your instincts, no one knows you or your child better than you. On a good note she is doing great now and has a new programable shunt. So hopefully she won't need any more revisions.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hey, I think I'm in the same boat as you all! Yay! I'm in high school now and I've had my shunt for 7 1/2 years, and I've had scar tissue pain (I think that's what it is) for 4 or 5 years. I find it gets worse when I overdo physical activity. Yesterday I was picking berries--bend over, stand up, bend over, stand up, etc. And today I've got persistent pain in one of my abdominal scars. Often it hurts on the shunt site, too; occasionally it feels like a burning sensation. My doctor thinks I'm nuts. Figures.
Posted 12 months ago # -
My granddaughter complains of headaches and neckaches?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Hi,
My name is Gabriela. I have had a shunt placed at birth, with 5 revisions . The recent revision in August 2009. I have really always known that the shunt was there, but as in shooting pain......not until the last few weeks. Like the previous posts, the doctors have told me that it is scar tissue, and that nerves take a long time to reconnect. i get the sharp pain, like needles in the scar area. I just tend to massage it, so that i won't let it bother me. At times, it is kind of bothersome because the scar tends to itch, and i want to relieve that itch. I know that i can't scratch, so i just massage the scar area. I tend to get those shooting pains, at random times. I have also noticed neck pain , but I think that's due to the shunt placement, and it running along the side of my neck. I was also advised to put some what of a hot or warm compress to relieve pain, in that area. Hope that this helps.Posted 9 months ago # -
hi, i am a 31 yr old mom w two boys ive had one decompression surgery amd have had four shunt surgeries. i've been doin great for about almost 12 yrs now w no surgeries. all of my surgeries were within two years because of clogging and finding the right pressure. mine runs along the left side and i remember having severe shooting stabbing pains along the shunt for quite a while prob a year. dr also said it was caused by scar tissue, which makes alot of sence. my doctor did some stretching of my muscles in the neck also some novicane shots along the track in my neck, this was a miracle cure took the pain away in hours.he was an austiopathic dr, or a holystic med dr. he is a miracle believe it or not these drs only treat with manipulation as well as herbal vitamins. i was not able to walk without pain until i started goin to him. miracle really. but i've noticed over the years that when i strain or lift heavy objects that the soreness gets pretty rough in my chest over the collar bone and slightly lower sometimes, even to the touch caused by torn scar tissue. its painful and scary sometimes but i know that as long as my symptoms are not returning i'm ok lol. my shunt was placed at 19 w last surgery at 20 and am doing great living a very normal lifestyle. and for all who are asking about giving birth i have two sons 4 and5 and didnt have any complications with birth was watched closely and needed forcepts with my first son because they dnt advise you to push incase of the shunt malfunctioning from the strain... god bless all of you i'm new here so glad to finally have found a chat group after all these years.
Posted 7 months ago # -
I have recently had a shunt revision (Feb 2010) and had a new Magnetic VP Strata 1.5 valve put in. I have been experiencing shooting pain since and wondered why as I never had this in previous shunt replacements. I am also experiencing nausea which again never had before.
Posted 4 months ago #
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