Oh....so sorry this is happening to you...not sure what coul be...hopefully someone has some info for you soon! Xox

Sounds like it could be a pinched nerve.. or something nerological..
did they do any MRI's or more comprensive testing like an MRI with contrast to see why you are having so much pain..

Generally.. the type of "radiating" pain, that you describng though is classic, texbook, pinched nerve .. or slipped disc kind of pain.. something that occurs when you have an injury in the back or neck.

Id suggest a good neurologist or neurosurgon to evaluate you .. and maybe a pain managment doc .. and try and find out whats going on..

Who -ever placed the LP shunt definatly needs to know whats going on..

About 2 wks after my shunt was put in i started having severe hip/lower back pain, only on left side.Then it also started hurting in my shin left side too.Neurosurgeon first said they prob moved me the wrong way during surgery and my hip popped out of joint, then after 3more weeks of severe pain, he now says herniated discs.So had MRI.Few days later my hip/back/shin pain stopped, But my headaches started up constantly again.Saw the neurosurgeon, discs are just fine, thank god!but he doesnt know what caused the pain.Right then and there he sent me to have an xray to look at shunt, well now he says it appears the tip of the shunt is coming out of the spine and peritoneal cavity, so next is a CAT scan.
im not trying to steal from your post. I just wanted to let you know that i had severe back pain and it just stopped eventually. I wonder if it had something to do with where the shunt was positioned or because it came out.
I hope you get answers and feel better!!

Do you think they could have irritated or damaged you spinal nerves when you had the surgery done?

I know of one test, a nerve conduction study, that is a bit painful, but can tell if your nerves are working and if they are damaged or not.

I would also see a Pain Management DR. They are neurologists that deal with all kinds of pain, including pain from nerve damage, random pain syndromes etc. so sometimes they are a lot more knowledgeable about mysterious neurological issues because they have seen a lot.

Good luck!

Thanks all for ur response!!

If its a pinched nerve could the reverse it? I'm to the point that I'm going to tell them to take it out my back and put it in my brain..but what are the chances of my back pain going away if I do take it out..what if it continues...ugh..so confusing

What you are experiencing is exactly what my daughter has been suffering with for the past three years since they put in her shunt. She has had to go to Emerg with the pain. All ECG's prove to be normal and so is the bloodwork. She seems to be hitting a brick wall with her doctors as well and just wants answers. Hope that you are able to find some relief soon.

Good heavens! This is just terrible! No one should have nerve pain. Its the worst.
You have to get all the tests that have been suggested.It does sound like the catheter has slipped.I know that pain myself, from when I had the VP shunt placed.I ended back in hospital by ambulance it was so bad.And, it was the catheter hitting a nerve. The just moved me around a bit and it took some time to settle down. ( all very scientific! not!)
They put me on Lyrica which worked wonders once it kicked in. It takes a few days to really work. Maybe you could ask about that? Its not addictive and works so well with nerve inflammation. Get the tests done tho. You cant go on like this. Cath.