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...
OK so I'm going to sound like I'm all over the place so please bare with me. I'm a vp shunter, and I've been put on Topamax to control chronic migraines that I started having after my last vp revision in October. I'm a special education teacher and just returned to work full time after being out for almost 5 months, because of complications from my 2 back to back revisions etc. I was back at work 3 weeks full time and was great, then my first week full time I came down with what I thought was a "stomach bug" on the weekend sorry to be graphic (stomach cramping, diarrhea, throwing up-only once) for 3 days. I felt better went back to school the following week, never felt great, but better. Come to the weekend and it starts all over again, no throwing this time only stomach cramping and diarrhea. I went to urgent care this time, they said that I was "reinfected" with the stomach bug, and because of my medical history I probably have a compromised immune system. So once again I recover and I did the whole BRAT diet- Bananas, Rice, Apple Sauce, Toast, Tea. This caused me to become extremely constipated, but don't worry the stomach bug returned again last night!!!! Once again extreme stomach cramping and diarrhea! This isn't like oh kind of uncomfortable, its like wake you out of a sound sleep and attached to your toilet. It is also combined with a very strange "rotten egg" burp. I know that sounds bizarre. I went back to urgent care today and I think they think I'm crazy. I called my neurologist to see if it could be Topamax related. The only thing that has changed is that 3 weeks ago my neuro upped my Topamax to 100mg morning and night from 75mg morning and night and I'm wondering if that could be related. I feel like if it is Topamax the stomach pains wouldn't disappear for periods of time? If anyone has had anything like this I would really really appreciate any advice or info you'd care to share.
Thank you
Thank you
I do not have a shunt, so please take what I say with a grain of salt. Where does a VP shunt drain fluid into?
The stomach issues you are having are not common for Topamax. Do you have a fever? Generally anytime someone is having diarrhea that wakes them in the overnight hours Dr's become concerned.
I think some important things to know are if you have been having fever, when was your last hospital stay, and when was the last time you were on antibiotics, any lumps,bumps or swelling that are warm to the touch at the revision sites? I would be concerned about post revision infection, and possible common hospital acquired stomach infections.
You have had complications with your revisions, so I might skip the urgent care clinics-they are not equipped to handle. PTC/shunts/revisions etc...
I would speak directly to the Dr who performed your revisions, If that Dr does not think you are having a post-op infection ask him for a referral for a GI and ask him to use his influence to get you an appointment within 1-3 days. Exaggerate symptoms if you have to, but insist you absolutely can not wait 2 or 3 weeks for an appointment with a GI. Make sure your Neuro considers this an emergency situation. Your Dr will have no problem getting you a fast appt, you just have to be insistent that your situation is emergent.