[slicetech]

I'm starting this thread hoping for anyone with programmable shunt success stories. Has anyone seen actual success with programmable shunts?

More specifically, any success with the Medtronics Strata?


Back story:
I've had non-programmable shunts since I was 2 for congenital hydrocephalus, thats about 30 years now... All of my shunts have been medium pressure non-programmable. My first lasted for 17 years, and then I'd had one about every three years since. I'm over-draining now, not seriously but my ventricle is definitely small, and my NS wants to go with a Strata. But so far all of the posts I can find have nothing but problems with the programmable. Is there any actual good news with programmable?

Or for those with programmable, would you recommend them or should i just stick with my tried and true version?

Side note: I think I actually caused this problem. I was dieting pretty heavily for about 6 months and let myself get dehydrated repeatedly. I believe the repeated dehydration caused a decrease in CSF production and probably brought on my current symptoms. Bad me, but I don't think I can blame the shunt.