Brain Shunt and Aging
 

I had a brain shunt installed in 1977 when I was 15. I had a motorcycle accident that resulted in hydrocephalus. I have not experienced any problems, but I am worried that something may happen due to the age of the shunt. Has anyone had a shunt for such a long period of time without suffering any problems? Has anyone experienced problems with an aged shunt after such a long period of time? My doctor told me that it may become brittle at some point. Has anyone ever had one get brittle? After how long? Was the shunt replaced? Any information regarding aging and operation of the shunt would be appreciated.

I had a shunt place when I was 8 (1993). When I was 25 (2010) the tubing was deteorated and stopped draining fully. When the nuerosurgeon pulled it out it actually broke because it was so old and gross. He told us that the tubing can deteriorate over time, which is what was causing my headaches. I hope this is helpful.

I had my shunt placed at 7, I am now 28. Last summer I was having a lot of issues with headaches-my neurosurgeon told me that after about 15 years they are seeing that some people need replacements. I was lucky enough to bypass this, but I'd see what your neuro says. (I have a programmable.) Hope that helps alittle. Good luck.

After 20 plus years
 

I had my shunt placed in 1979. I was two months old at the time. As a child in the 1980's I had several revisions on the shunt for blockage issues. I can't remember exactally when I wuit having issues but I went thru my teenage years with no issues at all. I went thru my twenties with no problems as well. When iI turned 30 I started having mild headaches that i thought were nothing major and last June I ended up in the hosital after over 20 years with mo problems. They discovered my tubing had broke in my stomach. It made mw feel like I had the flu. They had to do surgury once again. They were not able to pull out the old tube due to all the scar tissue around it but I not am the proud owner of two shunt lines and am doing just fine. I hope you are doing well and I hope this was helpful.

40 years and still going...!
 

Mine is a VJ, installed in 1972. Still going strong to the best of my knowledge although I do get some pain around the valve area. Interestingly, I had a CT after a recent bang on the head and one of the pictures was this funky green 3D animation type thing that seemed to show a disconnect just below the valve.

The Dr that looked at it didn't seem concerned so I reckon it's just something in the imaging program that does that.

one of the first
 

Two people on the planet had the operation before me. I have had a total of 4 revisions since 1970. I am the long term effect. I have had 4 headaches I my life, all required operations, otherwise no issues.

I am 25 years old, I have had the shunt since I was 7 weeks old in 1987. Never had a malfunction and rarely get headaches.

I have had a VP shunt for 16 years and never had a revision. I still get the occasional headache and just take over-the-counter no-name tylenol. My main problem is seizures, but they are relatively mild and are managable. I am going for a new CT scan soon to see how the shunt is functioning, but all in all I'm getting used to the minor inconveniences. It's certainly a lot easier living with a shunt than it was living without one.

I had my shunt since April 1974,39 1/2 years born November 1973' I have not had any issues ,shunt quit working at age 12' I have not had my yearly spinal tape since age 14' I will be 40 in 2 months ,feeling blessed