Hi all,
I am new to this forum and have a codman programmable shunt. I have had hydrocephalus for 41 years I have had the Codman for 6 and I am having echo headaches everything going on the outside echoes in my head when I get a pressure headache and to boot I have a burr hole that just to today started hurting and made me nauseas I called my neurosurgeon of 30 years and I am waiting for a CT scan script and a Shunt series script. Any help would be appreciated.
Tina

Hi I just joined this group today! I am 24 and have had the shunt since birth. I have never had any problems with it at all. Rarely get headaches or issues with it. Right now though, I woke up this morning with a headache and everytime i move my head it hurts, but if I keep it still, it doesnt hurt as bad. Could this be a malfunction? Should I see a neuro, I have never been to one since birth.

Hi everyone! I'm new to this group. Just looking for some advice. I've had Hydrocephalus since birth and my most recent shunt revision was in 1997. I have a VP shunt so reading about all the new programmable shunts is interesting. I've been having some symptoms over the past 2 weeks and they are leading up to a shunt malfunction I'm afraid. My dr isn't getting in any hurry about doing anything to fix it though.

I looking forward to talking with everyone about this and hope to offer any advice to those that need it or would just like to talk.

Hydrotexan26

My son suffered from a brain tumor aged 2 (craniopharyngioma). He is now 21 and his current VP shunt was put in place in 2001. In the last 2 years, Every 3 months it appears to go through an episode which starts with twinges in the shunt pipe (resevoir) at the back of the head. This then increases over about 5 days and it is as if the shunt is blocking and then partially releasing but the pressure is remaining and growing. We eventually end up going to hospital and nothing shows up on scans etc. We are going through one of these periods at present and my bet is we will be in hospital tomorrow. It tends to the clear itself when the pressure gets so great it is unbearable. Anyone have had a similar experience??

Peter Landale

Yes Richard, I too just had a strata valve put in and they put it in my frontal lobe. It was moved from behind my right ear. I have had horrible headaches and a heaviness of my head EVERDAY since my surgery on July 29th, 2014. I go to the Neurosurgeon tomorrow again. I hoping he can find out what is causing these headaches. Good luck.

Ian, I'm glad you got removal. I to, have a strata valve and it has lost it's setting twice now. I go back on the 25th of June for another check up. The on-going headaches are getting to be really tiring! Unfortunately, because I'm shunt dependent, I can't have mine removed. So far I take norco for the headaches, but due to it's addictive nature, I'm trying other meds. I"m hoping to get one that works soon.
Jaclyn