Hey SliceT! I too have spent all of my 36 yrs with fixed, med pressure valves, one lasted 13 years, the other 23 years. However, during my revision two weeks ago, I was changed to a Medtronic Strata. So far, so good. I had an issue yesterday and into last night of dizziness and a feeling of pressure in my head, anytime I stood up. It seems ok today though. I am hoping this can be remedied with a minor adjustment but, I too am curious as to whether I will have the same success with this programmable as I did with the old fixed pressure valves. I will say, with all my luck with the old valves, I am kinda excited by now having one that can have minor adjustments done, as opposed to full blown revisions. With all this, I am unable to answer any of your questions, looks like we'll both be learning about these new contraptions!