I had a VP shunt placed over a year ago. Since then I have peritoneal pain localized where the shunt drains whenever it drains much. I am getting used to it and now kind of welcome the pain because it means my shunt is draining and my symptoms get better (poor gait and foggy thinking) again. The pain is similar to what I had with ruptured ovarian cysts and I believe it is irritation of the lining of the peritoneum that causes it. I do fear I am developing adhesions, but don't know any way to avoid that.

My problem is a recent sudden onset of pain shooting along the length of where I know the catheter goes beginning in my head and coinciding with my pulse. It is better when I am upright and I am trying to hydrate, but it is a new symptom and I am worried it might signal infection.

If anyone has experienced this, please tell me what happened.