Do anyone else every experience this? I have shooting pains up the length of the shunt catheter from my abdomen up to my neck/chest area. It worries me terribly! A year and a half ago I had a shunt revision and a month later I was in the ER with what I thoguht was appendicitis. It happened that a staph infection worked its way if from one of my incision sites, under the scab, got into my brain and staph infected fluid was leaking into my abdomen. I was in the hospital for 21 more days and had three more revisions and nearly kicked the bucket... so I am scared, and without health insurance. Is this something that any of you commonly experience? I've had a shunt for a long long time, not necessarily this one, but my first shunt I had for a long long time. But if this is something to worry about I don't want to just sit and play with my life. With no health insurance I am just thinking don't head to the ER till it's really an emergency.

I read your story, and have had the same problems.....and a revision helped.
The main reason I answered your post is that NOT having insurance is worrysome I know. Are you a VETERAN of the ARMED sevices ? (they can help with medical issues )
Check with your local county/state welfare office. Each state has Medicaid depending on your income. Always remember that if the condition is serious and you end up in the hospital for things such as emergency surgery etc. ask to see a social worker who can help you obtain help from Medicaid ( this is different than MEDICARE ) .

Don't ever ignore the current hospital bills you have. Arrange to make payments to keep your credit ratings okay !

Hope this helps....at least relieve you worries about insurance.