I guess it's easy for those of us who have had shunts almost from day one to be a bit more relaxed about the whole thing, but I think if I had one put in later in life as you have, I would probably be a nervous wreck too ! But as I said, the symptoms of a severe problem with the shunt are usually quite obvious, so if you don't have these problems, I think things will be O.K. I have pains in my stomach quite regularly from the shunt too, but I have grown used to them (I know that might come as a surprise after 35 years ;!) and because I know what they are, I don't worry about them.

Nat.