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...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Group

LP Shunt and Back Pain

abra
abra
Hello Everyone,

I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri two years ago and have had a shunt for almost a year and a half. I did lose quite a bit of my peripheral vision. After two revisions my shunt is controlling my symptoms, although it did cause a slight acquired chiari malformation which gives me some headaches and shoulder/neck discomfort. But how my LP shunt lays causes me immense back pain, upper lower, tailbone and down my legs. My NS said nothing is to be done because my pressure is under control and obviously my vision is number one. I am okay with this but I went to a neurologist because I was told they would help me control my pain and he told me to lose weight. I have lost 12 pounds and am in a weight control program and the back pain is still there. Anyway.. has anyone else experienced this? Am I wrong to go to a neurologist for my symptoms? Thank you guys for your help!
magnatomamma
magnatomamma
Wow that kind of constant back pain, and chiari, seems unacceptable. I have an LP shunt and it has never bothered my back. Do you think you are over draining? I think I would get a second opinion. Are you near a large teaching or university hospital? It seems like something is not right with your shunt placement, or possibly all the surgeries and general truama has maybe knocked something out of place. I did have a shoulder out of place after one of my surgeries and I was sent to the social worker that works in neurology to deal with the pain. She taught me a lot, but I went to my chiropractor who popped it back into place and I was fine afterward. I would really consider seeing one if I were you. And a new neuro surgeon for a second opinion.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with a visit to the chiropractor and then some regular stretching might help.
If that works then keep up the exercise/stretching afterwards or it is liable to come back

RK
http://backexperts.net/
TammyTooli777
TammyTooli777
It is probably where the shunt is placed. My LP shunt really messed up my back! I now have disc protrusion at several levels, and the pain down the leg is radiculopathy, mine is from having that shunt. I currently have a cisternal shunt, after having the LP shunt and multiple ventricular shunts that all failed. Honestly, the only shunts that should be used in PTC are cisternal shunts. Lumbar shunts over drain, and ventricular shunts clog from the ventricles collapsing on the tubing. Cisternal shunts are at the top of the spine, so they don't over drain and the spinal fluid space is large so it won't collapse on the tubing. After many years, and many shunt revisions, average was every 4 months, they gave me my cisternal shunt and I have had this shunt, without any problems, for 8 years!