Hello - I too have recently had a shunt - arachnoid cyst - I had been searching, like many for the answer the mysterious pains I have been experiencing since surgery 5 months ago. Sent for a variety of ultrasounds, CT scans, X-rays, tried many "home-remedies". I am a nurse, and was beginning to think it was all in my head, until I read the blogs on the internet; and now these.

So here have been my solutions - and they are working so far - Praise the Lord.
1. Prayer is number one - God always answers prayers. He is the great physician healer - but most importantly, prayer centers you - calms you down, takes your mind off the pain.
2. The minute I start to feel any twinge of these pains, I stop what I am doing, sit down and begin taking deep, slow breaths; close my eyes, relax.
3. I have found wearing loose clothing, nothing tight around my waist has made a tremendous difference - I mean this has truly done the trick for me. I have gone away from pants. I wear leggings, skirts, dresses. (ladies now) no tights with tight fitting waist bands... look carefully. I cannot tell you what a difference this has made. I don't know if i will have to do this forever, but for now.. no pains for 3-4 days, when i was in serious pains - right to left moving to the middle - just as all of you have described..sometimes i couldn't even walk... brought me to tears. I believe the muscle goes into spasm, anxiety goes up and pain increases.. lactic acid builds and it becomes a vicious cycle...
4. Bio-feedback might help some.
I would not suggest continued pain meds as this will not work on a long term basis.
For now, i am pain free.... I continue to pray every day for continued relief from my pain and now that i know I am not alone, i pray for all of you to find the relief the Lord has so graciously granted me.
Take care all. i will check back in to let you know how my "solutions" are working
Blessings to all Diane