What is Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. This increase in intracranial volume results in elevated intracranial pressure and ...
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My fathers shunt stopped working after 10 years
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My father who's in his 70's has had a shunt for NPH about 10 years. It worked great until the last few months. We first noticed he was walking slowly and shuffling his feet. Memory also seems to be getting worst. It's the same exact symptoms he orginally had. The doctor checked the magnetic setting and pressure and said it was normal. The shunt is set at the lowest setting. The cat scan shows the ventricles are enlarging.She said sometimes it happens like this and stops working. Everyday I see him getting worst. He can hardly get up a few stairs. The doctor said she can't take any more fluid out. The ventricles could collapse. It's so sad to see this happening. Even though she drained fluid off the shunt he had no change in gate. Could it still be possiable the shunt could be clogged? The doctor said since it didn't help him to drain some fluid. There's nothing she can do. Has anyone else had this problem. Is there any other options? Mary
Posted on 10/29/09, 04:10 pm |
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Update- I took my father for a cat scan yesterday they say the ventricles are the same size as the last cat scan. How can the symptoms be worst when the ventricles aren't any larger. Next she said she'll inject dye and see where it goes. Hopefully they'll find it clogged somewhere. I orginaly was giving up but my mother and I want everything done that's possible. Could the shunt be clogged somewhere else but still drain? Any ideas I would appreciate it. Thank you, Mary (Sams Daughter) 
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Yes I'm one of those people that Darla is talking is about. My valve didn't completely stop working but, it did have bone growing around it so it slowed.My ventricles reacted and then I started to get better. His body could be compensating for the blockage. If there is room for fluid to flow his ventricles might not react or there might just be enough room for it flow so he doesn't feel anything. Lots of things could be happening. The dye test is actually fun to watch, I had one when I was nine and it was so much fun then. But, then again I've had way too many procedures!
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When they inject the dye can you actually see if there's a partial blockage? I hope this helps him, I hate to see him like this. I can't thank everyone enough for the information. You all seem to know more then the doctors. Mary
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Thank you so much for all your knowledge. It's so nice to be able to talk to peoples who understand NPH. Well, my father got up this morning got dress and drove to work today. That would be great but he quit work several months ago. He now says it's Sept and the kids are returning to school. He worked as a bus driver. I'm shocked he made it to the car some how. I called his doctor and she said the ventricles are the same. She'll do a shunt a gram to see if anything is clogged but she didn't think it was. She said it's not an emergency and her office would call and make an appointment. It seems after he wakes up he's worst. She said it's not alzheimer. How could she tell?. It's so sad to see him like this. I feel the doctors just don't care because of his age. I want to do everything possible for him.
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