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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auniecoley 04/25/2012

Hi Everyone,
I'm not trying to jump the gun on this, but I was wondering if anyone has been in this situation. I was diagnosed with this lovely disease about 2 months after I got married. Needless to say it has changed my life plan just a "little bit"!!!
I am lucky enough to have a 2 week old vp shunt, that is working!! I am now off all Lasix and Diamox, with only Amitriptilyne left. My husband and I would love to have children, To be honest we are just excited to see pain free days, but its something that is in the back of our minds....ok not really the back. Both my husband and I are special education teachers, and I can't imagine my life without a child.
As I said before I'm not trying to sound greedy I'm so happy that the vp shunt is working right now, and that I'm starting to feel like my old self again, but are kids an option with this IH and a vp shunt? I have looked back at some old posts, but I don't see anyone with a vp shunt.
Any information that you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Nicole

1greenmnm 04/25/2012

My doctors(NS) nurse said she highly didn't recommend it, but Amy's doctor gave her the ok. So I'm not sure. The nurse told me that the pressure that it placed on the tubing while pregnant can lead to complications with the shunt working. She compared it to being really constipated, that it will cause the tubing to not let out fluid or significantly less fluid. Take this comment as you wish. This is what I was told.
Mallory

deleted_user 04/26/2012

I have an Lp shunt and i have a beautiful daughter. Just hit me up with questions and yes it possisbale.

deleted_user 04/26/2012

I have an LP shunt and had two kids, although it was many years ago (they're 12 & 13 now). Frankly, I didn't ask anybody's advice on the issue, at least not in-depth. When I made my choice on LP vs. VP shunt, I asked my NS if choosing the LP meant I couldn't have kids later if I wanted to. He said no. (But I was always told that since I had PCOS, my chances of having kids were slim to none and slim left town...)

Get the information that you need to calm your intellect, but don't discount your heart and always have a side bet of faith (if you're so inclined). Imho: Wait a couple of months to let your body adjust to the new shunt and get a new normal in place, get a referral to a high-risk ob/gyn that can work with you ahead of pregnancy and can help your body prepare for the challenges you're going to encounter during pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Just my thoughts - ymmv (your mileage may vary)

deleted_user 04/26/2012

Let me clarify my last post - my diagnosis of PCOS did not come until after my diagnosis of PTC, but I had always had problems with irregular cycles, from the time I started puberty. That's why I had always been told that my chances of having kids were slim to none and slim left town....

1greenmnm 04/26/2012

TBirdLady makes an excellent point and I think you should go with her advice :) a high risk obgyn would know best.

deleted_user 04/26/2012

hey nicole

i got my shunt 8 months after my wedding. we are finally at the point of considering starting a family (9 months post VP shunt). i'd probably wait longer, but i'm kind old :) i have been through the rounds with my doctors already. everybody is cool with it. OB/GYN said she's had patients with shunts before (women who got them as kids from hydro) and that she doesnt need to refer me to a high risk Dr. we'll see. neuro is excited and is all for it. neurosurgeon says it may be a tough 10 months but we should go for it. he wants to see me in 2nd and 3rd trimester to adjust shunt if needed. PCP says he agrees with everyone else. so... thats my story. i have weaned off all my medications... we'll see what happens. good luck to you. hope you are feeling better with your shunt.
amy

auniecoley 04/27/2012

Thank you ladies! I know I'm jumping the gun, and that I need to settle down and heal from the shunt placement. I'm just so excited to feel human again, I was kind of running with it! I'm 33 and have a history of endometriosis, so I don't know if its possible, but can hope! Thank you for all of the information and kind words. Amy I'd love to hear how it goes for you guys, if you don't mind sharing.
Thanks Again! Hope you're all feeling good!
Nicole

deleted_user 04/27/2012

I'm SOOO incredibly glad to near you're feeling great post-shunt placement, Nicole!!! I felt that way, too, after my first shunt placement back in 1991. Heck, I felt so good at the time I went back to work 3 weeks after surgery!!! (My NS advised being off 4-6 weeks, but I felt so good, I couldn't wait to get back in the saddle again...)

Congratulations on your success so far!!! :-)

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