Originally Posted by pogo

Does reprogramming the valve normally help you? Is she adjusting the pressure higher or lower (setting going up or down)?

Shunt tap is where the put a needle into the reservoir and can take a csf sample but they can also measure the pressure (isn't completely reliable but as a gross measure might be helpful). Lumbar puncture is a spinal tap but the can take a pressure reading there as well as a csf sample. If the readings are different and can't be explained, they'll revise my daughter's shunt (she has communicating ventricles so usefulness may not apply to you, I don't know). Shuntogram is where they inject an isotope into your shunt system at the reservoir and take pictures of it going through your system and see if there is a problem. There are drawbacks to all of these, small infection risk or doesn't always show the problem. Getting your eyes fully checked (neuro ophthalmologist preferred) would be a great non invasive option.