Ok!
Background: Diagnosed with Hydro and Pseudotumor cerebri, suffering for a good old life time, have been treated with 7LPs, been on Diamox and currently Topimax, with my last LP had levels of 55+, and with that in the follow up they have decided that, to avoid further brain damage and eye damage the shunt is definitely needed....(I'm 16)

So finally the time has come after 6 years that in the late of August, I will have the shunt put in.

Anyways, my questions:

...Seem a little vain BUT, do you get your hair shaved before the surgery?
This is not an issue but I'd like to know before hand so I could donate/sale it instead.

Is there any hard limitation that would sort of be a bummer on an active teen? I do a lot of sports and other such things just anything...

Will I still have to take the Topimax after? You know, like daily pills and such?

Second to last, how are the improvement in headaches after? Obviously you will have normal headaches but yea..(Just in your experiences how was the difference

LASTLY ! What is the recovery time like on average ?


THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME MY FELLOWS!

Hey there, I had my first shunt placed about six weeks ago. It has taken a while to get back on my feet, but I am finally thankful I chose to have my shunt placed. Since my shunt was for Hydro only I can't answer many of your questions but I can help with one. I too was concerned about my hair... so I understand the "need to know".

The doctors shaved the back of my head from the crown to the base of my neck on one side. If you think you can donate and that would make you feel better that would be the thing to do (and very giving I might add). I went the day before my surgery and had them cut my hair off because I didn't want to deal with it as it grew out. I was sorry to see it go that day, but when I came out of surgery and saw my head... I was happy not to have to deal with the hair.

I wish you luck on your shunt... I hope it gives you the freedome to be a kid again! You will be in my prayers!

Dorothy

Well you know! I think I might just do that then (:

I have WAY to thick/curly hair to deal with justa chunk growin' back, not to mention Ima redhead, I'm sure SOMEONE out there wants my hair lol.

Just saying, I still would really appreciate answers on some of the other questions??? Thanks for anything that is said, tonight was a hard night full of thinking