Not sure about the seizures, I am a guinea pig. I try to keep my neurologist updated with any changes, so that he may pass it on to his colleagues, I know when there is an issue with the shunt, headaches are so bad it makes a migraine seem like a bump on the head, you may develop vertigo. Generally there are two ways to see if the shunt is operating properly, a spinal tap and/or an opthamologist looking in the back of your eyes to see if 5he ventricles are swollen. I have had five headaches in my life, had to have brain surgery for each one, I have has a shunt since 1970.

Wow thats great that you r not having any problems, but you just started having seizures too right? Was it after a revision that you started having them, and do you have a programmable shunt? My husbands is a programmable one and it seems that a lot of people have trouble with those. what type of seizure med do you take and does it make you feel all spaced out? What type of seizures do You have??

I have not had to deal with overdraining, however, my understanding, is that if the shunt is functioning properly the ventricles should reduce to their proper size. Ventricles enlarge due to the pressure and fluid build up. I believe that unfortunately if he has a spinal tap and/or has an opthamologist look in his eyes. I have had 5 headaches in my life and wouldn't wish them on anyone, they make migraines look like a bump on the head, generally the best place to be is in a dark room with your eyes shut, however, the issue there is when the shunt is not functioning correctly it can lead to Vertigo, which means it doesn't matter if you're standing, sitting or lying down. Five headaches, five surgeries no issues.

My husband is scheduled for variable shunt surgery in a week, I came in to read others comments. I am dreading him going through this but the NEURO Surgeons feel the drawing fluids will help him to regain a better quality of life. he has so many problems from the severe fall almost four years ago. I pray I am making the right decision for his surgery. A friends husband had to have this done and it has been ten years he has not had any problem. I was told by using CT Scan, they could check to see that variable shunt wouldn't drain away too much fluids, and would be able to adjust it if need be. I pray, pray all will be fine. Reading what some others are going through, makes me ? Is this something we should do. Prayers for each that are having problems and hope you feel better real soon.
Kind Regards, Patti

Thanks Patti! I hope you and your husband the best of luck with his surgery! We will be praying for him. Please keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by Lisa14 Thanks Patti! I hope you and your husband the best of luck with his surgery! We will be praying for him. Please keep us posted.

I have been reading more postings and really am questioning myself if this upcoming shunt surgery is what we should do for my husband. The purpose of the surgery is for him to get better and not have the confusion, etc. that many have mentioned after their shunt surgery, he has it now. It is horrible, so I know what you all are talking about. I really am having second thoughts about canceling. After the severe fall he had in June 2009 the Mri and CT Scans show moderate Encephalomalacia within the left frontal lobe. I was wondering if those that have the shunt were having these same difficulties prior to the surgery. I appreciate any replies. Lisa Barnes Hospital is GREAT have family all in St.Louis, they all use Barnes for their care, eventually we may be moving back there.

My husband was having severe headaches before surgery, all this other stuff is new since surgery. What symptoms is your husband having other than the confusion? Does he now have hydrocephalus from the Encephalomalacia? I read up on that was not familiar with it. It is softening of the brain tissue right? Have you gotten a second opinion? It may put your mind at ease. Unfortunatly my husband didn't have a choice the fluid was making his ventricles so large it was putting pressure on the brain. He really suffered with headaches the week before his surgery. It was real bad! so his symptoms were relieved for about 2 month, then all this started slowly and eventualy getting worse. We see neurologist Tuesday.
Some people have no problems with their shunt at all. Good Luck. I know its a hard decision to make.

So dean had his first neurology apt for the seizures, going to do a sleep study with a EEG. But he also found possible neuropathy in his legs Put him on new seizure meds. So hopefully we find something out before we go to neurosurgeon on 19th. Still having bits of confusion, headaches bad, and extreme fatigue. Not sure if its all related to shunt or seizures??

Patti~What have you decided for your husband? Did he have the surgery yet?

Well dang. I was hoping this appt would reveal more answers for Your husband, as opposed to more test! Hopefully the neurosurgeon can tell you something more on the 19th. The symptoms sure sound like a shunt issue but, I have never had any seizure issues either. Praying for you both.