Well, back in the ER tonight. Yesterday my nerve pains persisted almost nonstop into this morning. My neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon seem to be doing whatever they can to convince me that they are not shunt related. They almost have me questioning my sanity.

Today, after telling him that I had been essentially paralyzed with pains in my ribs and clavicle for hours, the orthopedist again repeated that it didn't make sense and suggested that I wait for our next scheduled appointment. In THREE weeks. What angers me the most is that I've never been accusatory in the least towards him. If it's not shunt related, THEN AT LEAST ATTEMPT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT.

I'm very sorry you're dealing with this pain.

I hope you are able to get answers and start feeling better fast.

You're right. Your doctors should be finding out the cause.

take care there.

Well, as I suspected, 8 hours in the ER later and I'm apparently fine. All tests and blood work looks good. So I guess I really must be imagining these pains. Or maybe it's for attention, or just to get drugs.

Or maybe they can take an hour to go in laparoscopically and move the tube that we all know is causing the pains that never existed until the surgery to install it.

I'm sorry. That's really awful for you.

Hello - I too have recently had a shunt - arachnoid cyst - I had been searching, like many for the answer the mysterious pains I have been experiencing since surgery 5 months ago. Sent for a variety of ultrasounds, CT scans, X-rays, tried many "home-remedies". I am a nurse, and was beginning to think it was all in my head, until I read the blogs on the internet; and now these.

So here have been my solutions - and they are working so far - Praise the Lord.
1. Prayer is number one - God always answers prayers. He is the great physician healer - but most importantly, prayer centers you - calms you down, takes your mind off the pain.
2. The minute I start to feel any twinge of these pains, I stop what I am doing, sit down and begin taking deep, slow breaths; close my eyes, relax.
3. I have found wearing loose clothing, nothing tight around my waist has made a tremendous difference - I mean this has truly done the trick for me. I have gone away from pants. I wear leggings, skirts, dresses. (ladies now) no tights with tight fitting waist bands... look carefully. I cannot tell you what a difference this has made. I don't know if i will have to do this forever, but for now.. no pains for 3-4 days, when i was in serious pains - right to left moving to the middle - just as all of you have described..sometimes i couldn't even walk... brought me to tears. I believe the muscle goes into spasm, anxiety goes up and pain increases.. lactic acid builds and it becomes a vicious cycle...
4. Bio-feedback might help some.
I would not suggest continued pain meds as this will not work on a long term basis.
For now, i am pain free.... I continue to pray every day for continued relief from my pain and now that i know I am not alone, i pray for all of you to find the relief the Lord has so graciously granted me.
Take care all. i will check back in to let you know how my "solutions" are working
Blessings to all Diane

Welcome drossim9.

Diane,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene