I am the mother of a son who recently underwent the surgery that inserted a shunt from his brain to his abdomen. My son linked this site to me but I am uncertain whether or not he has registered.

His surgery was less than a month ago. The doctors have stated in response to my question that he will 'recover his brain function fully' to the state it was in prior to the surgery. Yet he is having some dizziness, some feeling of pressure though I do not know if that is constant it is at least from time to time. In addition he is experiencing blurred vision occasionally. He is having great difficulty sleeping. He cannot get comfortable. If he turns in his sleep to rest on the side of his head with the valve he wakes up with pain. If he sleeps on one side the gravity makes the shunt pull too much and causes discomfort. If he sleeps on the side of the shunt it does likewise. He has ordered a wedge pillow and I think some others to support him and make him comfortable while sleeping semi upright. Tonight will be the first time to try that. But he ends up sleeping very little at night and a lot during the day. He says he is irritable and is feeling depressed.

I am assuming all this is somewhat normal given the type of surgery and the short space of time that has passed since it. But .. I cannot help but worry anyway. He goes in a couple of weeks to see his doctor for the first time since the surgery. Does what he is experiencing now warrant sooner contact with the doctor or his nurse?

I am glad to find your site and hope I can both get answers and support.
Thanks
Isak