Hi. I'm new to this forum, but am looking for help. Ten years ago I had a vp
shunt put in while I had surgery to remove a colloid cyst. Three years later the colloid cyst came back, but more in the memory zone. I also have dystonia, a neurolgical condition. My neurologist keeps asking me to consider having deep brain stimulation to help my condition.
Each year I have an mri to check on the status of the colloid cyst, as it is assosicated with sudden death. Its been pretty stable, but my memory function has definitely been impaired. A few weeks ago, my neurologist asked me to have a cat scan of the brain to send to the dps dr. I had it done, and delivered the scans to her. I went into the city friday and told her Ive been having headaches and odd aches/pains. I attributed the feelings to being under so much stress, as my dad passed away mid october, and my mom went into the hospital a few days after he died with congestive heart failure. She's home now, but is weak and has end stage heart failure.
So when I asked about the dbs dr and the cat scan, she indicated that the vp shunt didn't show on the scans. Like its not there! A few drs have seen the scan, and no one sees it. I even shared it with a good friend who is a radiologist an said no shunt shown. Everyone of my previous mri's indicate a vp shunt.
So now what? I went for xrays yesterday as per my neurologist instruction to try and locate the shunt. I have an mri appt of the brain for tuesday. Am I in any danger with a foreign object someone around my body? Maybe this is why I have been in pain. I want to call the neurosurgeon who put in the shunt tomorrow. He only sees patients on wednesday.. I just want to know if I am in any danger. Is anyone familiar with this? If so, please comment.
Thank you,
Andrea