My 1 year old son with arachnoid cyst and VP Shunt
 

Hi my name is Maggie. My son celebrated his 1st birthday today. It was an exciting day. It's been a heck of a year that passed. At 4 months old, We discovered a large arachnoid cyst on the left side of his head due to rapid head growth. He has had 4 surgeries to date with the last being in march. Since then his pressure has been good and the shunt is working properly.

The cyst seems to have drain all the way! although I am a bit concerned about some outbursts he has every few days. He gets so irritated and rolls around in what seems to be pain and ended up throwing up. Recently we started medication for reflux that has helped stop the vomiting but he still seems to have the episodes. It is so hard for me to know what is bothering him. I can't tell if its his head, stomach or even teething.
I feel so bad that I don't know what to do. We seen a neurologist this week to discuss the possibility that its headaches but I am hesitant to start an antidepressant if that may not be the cause. I was hoping for a little feedback from others who have shunts about how it makes you feel. I really can't even imagine myself.

Nice to meet you!!
 

hello my name is kyne. i can't answer your question directly but i am also new here and my son also has a large arachnoid cyst in L temporal lobe. he is 3.5yrs. he didn't have a shunt yet, he had a craniotomy fenestration first (we are waiting to see if he will need a shunt). im sorry i can't answer your question but i would like to connect with you because i dont know of anyone else who even has anything similar to my son so i would love to stay in contact with you and maybe we can share. we have also had a difficult several months.

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Great to meet you!!