Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a neurological disorder that is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, in the absence of a tumor or other diseases affecting the brain or its lining. Diagnosis requires brain scans and lumbar puncture. Characteristic symptoms are headache, transient visual obscurations or transient visual loss in one or both eyes usually lasting...
Does anyone happen to know how often a shunt has to be replaced? How soon after the shunt is in place will I be allowed to go home? I'm going next Wed to see my ns & kind of already have my mind made up about getting the shunt, but still have a few questions.
I'm sorry you have come to this stage about thinking of shunts.
My best advise to you would be to say , go slowly,on deciding to get a shunt.
Its a big step and its not a guaranteed success always.
If you get a VP shunt, it stays in for good.
My NS at the time, decided I needed a Vp shunt as I had lost a lot of vision and I was not responding to the meds.
Now, two things to tell you.
The shunt did nothing for my pressure,its still 34, and my paps did heal , eventually by them selves.
I say this, so you know the pros and cons of shunting.
So, the pros? Hds and paps all better! Your life back.
Yes, It can and does work for so many people.
A dr told me this last year, if you get little relief from an lp,a shunt may not help.
For me, I get about 7 -10 hours. I think you should get at least a few days relief from an lp.
Life term of a shunt? Lp is about 3-5 years. Vp shunt 5 plus.
Saying that I do think there is some evidence to support a non programmable VP shunt has less trouble than a programmable one.
I am 3 years now with mine, no prog and thank God, have not needed a revision , yet.
My NS wouldn't even consider a prog one, said they were too prone trouble.
Time in hospital post op? For both shunts its about 2-5 days.
Again, I would advise stay as long as you can.Coming home is scary, and while you are in hospital they can help you with any problems that may arise.
Don't! leave hospital with out pain meds! Its too late if you are home and in pain and you are empty handed!
Be prepared for the abdominal site wound. Not many surgeons warn about this. ( I don't know why!)
Its the more trouble site, post op.It hurts like hell. Bending, lifting, even moving hurts for a small while.
Also, you can get really bad pain in the lower abdomen from the release of excess csf from the shunt in to that area.
The body does not recognize the csf,seeing it as a foreign body, until it accepts it, it hurts. This can take days or weeks.
Not every one gets this but so many do I thought I should mention it.
I just read back on this Toya, and it sounds really bad! I don't want it to, but I want you to have all the facts to hand for when you see your NS next week.
I think it better to see the problems coming and have a plan .
But don't forget please, that so many people have shunts that have changed their world. They can almost be normal again.
And I do so hope that this will be the answer for you.! Cath
I just had my VP shunt put in the day before yesterday.
The surgery itself takes about an hour, mine was longer cause my body wasn't easy to navigate, so they had to try and put it in the opposite way. DO I hurt? HELL YEAH.
But my pressure is gone. All of the hurt is from being cut open, incisions and my body getting used to having something in it.
I can see, and headaches have been NONE. Not even low pressure ones for me. They kept me for one night, overnight to make sure I could eat and keep it down and hobble myself around, all of of which I can. I can feel it, every inch from my head to my stomach, but I'm told I'll get used to that. I waited forever for this surgery, and so far it was a wise decision. Let's hope it stays that way.
Best of luck!