Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiritgal
I was wondering if anyone else has a 'gravitational' shunt like me? It's a brand new type. I used to have a Codman programmable VP but I overdrained so badly I got slit vents. Then my NS told me he'd got a new model (less than a year old) from Germany called a Miethke proGAV. It's a VP programmable but works based on gravity and automatically regulates pressure whether you're standing or sitting so it limits posture-related overdrainage. Also, I don't have to reset it after an MRI scan or after going through airport scanners as it's resistant to even the heaviest magnet...the valve has no magnet although it's still programmable without surgery. Apparently the tubing is wide so blockage risk is reduced. Only had it a month but already my vents are back to normal size and I'm not overdraining for first time in 4 years! Apparently it's so new it's only been in the UK less than a year. I'll soon see if it's as miraculous as they make out!! Just wondered if anyone else has it or knows of anyone who has and how they've found it so far. I feel a bit like a guinea pig!!  |
I have a proGav shunt also. Sounds like the same kind. I'm new to this site and haven't posted anything. I've had mine since August, 2008. I had a craniotomy in 2001. The dr did a Fen. Didn't help much. Had headaches, my whole life, then in 1999, at age 40, I started having trouble with balance and walking. I found I had an arachnoid cyst, front right lobe, 7cm X 11cm, with massing effect and a small aneurysm. They repaired me, somewhat and sent me home in a week. Headaches never stoped. When they placed the shunt, I stayed lying down, for the better part of a month. Head did get better. After a few months, pain come back, almost as bad. Overall I think the shunt has helped, but I still have constant headaches, that still gets worse with low fronts, and sometimes, "who knows?" I wish you luck and can say, when I've had my shunt checked, it's always been right on, with no problems. I was scared to get one with some of the stories I've heard. My head may suck, but the shunt does seem to be doing it's job. Good luck and God bless.