Good luck. I\'m glad they gave you a choice. My Neurologist keeps saying that they go with the LP shunt since my optic nerve surgeries were considered a failure. I am hoping that my NS will have more info for me...

Will be thinking about you. TJ just had his done so he may have more insight for you.

Bless you.
Liz

GBF,

VP all the way!!!!!

Not sure if you read my post to your post "getting scared again" but please read that one again. And let your husband read it too and tell him "a guy" wrote that.

Then also please read my response #8 to Liz's post "good report today". This is where I talk about making sure your doctor does VP shunts regularly.

And last reread "VP shunt Q & A" by Bianca. With my recent operation there has been a lot of good posts about VP shunts so I am not sure how much I can add.

I can tell you that without a doubt it was the best decision I have ever made in my entire life (other than marrying Laurie of course)

Ultimately the choice is yours to make. Charlotte once told me "risk vs reward" which I thought was an interesting way to put it. Yes there is a slightly higher risk factor but the outcome will be much more rewarding. And dont forget that a VP shunt is a much more common operation as it is required for people of all ages who have hydrocephalus.

I know you are scared and that is just plain OK. You should be scared, that is normal. And after the operation, normal is what you will have to look forward too.

TJ
VP Shuntman!

I'll be having my VP Shunt placed on the 12th - so just a few days before you, and I'm in the same boat - trying not to freak out! I'm trying not to think about the surgery, especially the specifics of it, and that has kept me somewhat calm. I'm distracting myself heavily with work, my garden and everything else! :-)

Even though the VP shunt surgery is more invasive, it does have a better success rate from what I've read. Will it be a programmable shunt? Here's what my NS told me that also helped...1) He assured me that he's done VP shunts in people of all ages - even infants, it's really a very routine thing for him & a relatively quick "in & out" procedure. 2) Shunt technology has changed so much over the years - even in the last 2 years it has improved greatly, so I should disregard a lot of the "horror stories" I've read about them because they're getting better all the time. 3) A shunt is a piece of mechanical equipment and as such can malfunction or break down occasionally - however his PTC VP shunt patients have been among his happiest because the shunt generally improves their quality of life to a great extent, so the "risk" tends to justify the reward.

I've had neither kind of shunt (disclaimer 1) but I have worked in a maternity center (not a nurse, disclaimer 2). VP shunts as a procedure are done far more often than LP, and they are usually done on newborns. Little bitty babies. Premies. It's what I'd do if I were faced with the choice.

You are supposed to be scared. I joke about trephanation, but the idea of a real operation is scary. Either one. BUT... you can do it. Show 'em you're a tiger!

Bax

well, I can't have a VP, so now I am getting a programmable LP shunt, so for me LP programmable shunt all the way, lol TJ.

Its hard for me to suggest since everyone is diff and I value each persons exp. with what they have gone through, but after all is said and done and you have researched it, it is up to you. what ever you decide will be the right decision.

This is what I was told of the revision rate...best to least best, LP shunt then VP shunt then Cisternal shunt, but I have read it the other way also..prob. because VP shunts are done more often..so it can and is confusing.

Good luck on your surgery, and a quick recovery. Jazzy

Sorry forgot to add..this is what I would do, research about both as much as possible and talk with your Dr. about what he/she says is the pros and cons of each and what he/she thinks is the best.

I don't know your whole medical history so when TJ referred to someone talking about risk versus reward and his opinion..it is true, but it is also individual for each person..I would try and not let anyone strongly convince me of doing one or the other, i would try and find out the facts as much as possible, people who have had it what it was like and how they feel now, how long they have had it.... and then go from there. Its not an easy question to answer but I know you will chose the right one for you. Many Blessings, Jazzy