Question about Shunts

January 3, 1996

otero@... wrote:

>

> Okay, here's a question. Our nsg said that the shunt was a very dangerous

thing to have

> as it can move, or be jolted against the spinal cord and cause paralysis! I

wonder....do

> those of you who have shunts have to be more careful with falls, work, etc.?

Wendi,

I have a VP shunt. I'm not sure what kind of shunt they are considering

for your husband. My nsg told me to act as though I do not have

one--Nothing I do should affect it.

M.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 15, 1999

Okay, here's a question. Our nsg said that the shunt was a very dangerous thing

to have

as it can move, or be jolted against the spinal cord and cause paralysis! I

wonder....do

those of you who have shunts have to be more careful with falls, work, etc.? I

ask this

because my husband is/was a Journeyman Lineman (he climbs powerpoles for the

electric company

and works with high voltage) and the nsg told us that he would be able to go

back to work as

if nothing ever happened, normally within 8 weeks of the decompression

surgery......HA! He

still remains on " light duty " six months later. His employer has asked him to

get a " note from

his doctor " as to whether or not he will ever be able to do his job again.

SHEESH. Like he

doesn't have enough pressure. At any rate, they will find another position for

him if he can't,

tho, for less pay. Sorry....I'm rambling. The question was: do you have to be

more careful

with a shunt?

Wendi--New Mexico

Husband age 43 with ACM, suboccipital decompression 7/98

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 16, 1999

In a message dated 1/16/99 12:41:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, otero@...

writes:

<< Our nsg said that the shunt was a very dangerous thing to have

as it can move, or be jolted against the spinal cord and cause paralysis! I

wonder....do those of you who have shunts have to be more careful with falls,

work, etc.? >>

I just wanted to throw something in here. I can't really answer the question

about the kind of shunt you are talking about. But what I wanted to share for

anyone that is getting confused about the topic of shunts. When we talk of

having a shunt for hydrocephalus, that is a VP shunt, and it is inserted into

the ventricles of the brain and in 's case it drains down into her

stomach cavity. Some of the shunts also being talked about are shunts for I

guess draining syrinxs??? I don't know much about these, but I would assume

their would be certain precautions one would have to take as with a shunt

inserted into your brain. As far as the VP shunt, I have never been told " it's

a very dangerous thing to have " but I'm sure the shunt in the spine area could

be a different story.

Tory (mom of )

16ys. old, craniofacial abnormalities, midline facial cleft, hydrocephalus,

growth hormone (weighs 56lbs.) and thyroid defecient, blind, mental

retardation, choanial atresia, optic nerve hypoplasia, artificial tear duct,

12-P deletion, sensory intergration disorder, latex allergy, ACM I w/30mm

herniation. June10, 98' suboccipital craniectomy and lamenectomy of C1 & C2.

Aug. 10, 98' dura graft. History of 36 surgeries. (and musically talented)

SUCH A SPECIAL LITTLE GIRL!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 16, 1999

I know about shunts for syrinx!!! I have 2.

The first one is between T4 and T5. and the second one is between " I think " C2

and C3. Somewhere tooo damn close to my brain.

BUT I was never told that they were dangerous because of being in my spinal

cord.

I know for sure that they are not as dangerous as NOT shunting the syrinx. I

probably would be paralyzed by now if the 2nd one would have not been found.

After my first shunt the doctor didn't tell me I had any limitations. But with

the second one in my neck he told me " No more contact sports " meaning that I

could not umpire softball anymore.

Ofcourse he told me that umpiring was not a good idea after I had

decompression surgery. I umpired for 7 years after decompression. Never had

any problems. I was just real careful about the back of my head.

But with this shunt in my neck he really put his foot down and said absolutely

NOT. Broke my heart that is what " I DO " for exercise and entertainment. But

living and walking are much more important.

Other than NO contact sports he didn't tell me of any other limitations or

dangers. He said I could play Golf next summer. So its not all that bad. And

it sure could be a hell of a lot worse.

Well, that's my input on shunts,

Hope everyone has a GOOD weekend, its going to be 70 here in Amarillo, TX.

ACM 1 with syringomyelia

2 Hoffman shunts for syrinx

30 and still kickin " most days "

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 16, 1999

------Begin forward message-------------------------

From: parkpro

To: otero@...

Date: 01/15/99 22:36:18

Message-Id:

Subject: Re: Question about Shunts

X-Mailer: NETCOMplete v3.20, from NETCOM On-Line Communications, Inc.

>

>Okay, here's a question. Our nsg said that the shunt was a very dangerous

thing to have

>as it can move, or be jolted against the spinal cord and cause paralysis! I

wonder....do

>those of you who have shunts have to be more careful with falls, work, etc.? I

ask this

>because my husband is/was a Journeyman Lineman (he climbs powerpoles for the

electric company

>and works with high voltage) and the nsg told us that he would be able to go

back to work as

>if nothing ever happened, normally within 8 weeks of the decompression

surgery......HA! He

>still remains on " light duty " six months later. His employer has asked him to

get a " note from

>his doctor " as to whether or not he will ever be able to do his job again.

SHEESH. Like he

>doesn't have enough pressure. At any rate, they will find another position for

him if he

can't,

>tho, for less pay. Sorry....I'm rambling. The question was: do you have to

be more careful

>with a shunt?

>

>Wendi--New Mexico

>Husband age 43 with ACM, suboccipital decompression 7/98

>

I've lived with a shunt implanted in the middle of my spinal cord since 1987.

The shunt drains

into the neck, the neuro felt this would allow normal mobility. I was a

Leadman/Journeyman

diesel mechanic. I was told never to do any activity that might lead to head

trauma because it

would be life threatening. No bicycle riding, running, skating, climbing,

straining or heavy

lifting, jumping, falling etc. If involved in any auto accident go straight to

the ER. Your

husband is lucky his employer will find him another position. I was fired after

ten years of

service because of those restrictions. I was not offered light duty or any

other job position.

I tried to find other employment, but when I disclose the restrictions of my

disability,

it's........SEE YA! Don't call us we'll call you.

My neuro told me my syrinx was caused by my work. You might want to check this

out also if it's

applicable in your case.

Alvin--California

46 with ACM,SM

------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 16, 1999

I forgot to mention that before I had the vp shunt put

in the neuro did try to put the other kind in the base of my

neck going into my spine. The object of that was to drain

the cyst into the spinial cord. This did not work so they

put in the vp shunt.

So if anyone is thinking about a shunt to relieve

pressure I check into the vp shunt. Like Tory said its not a

very dangerous thing to have. Like anything else it has to

be maintained.

Again I say that my vp shunt has been in since 1975 and I

was never told to limit my activities because of it. It has

been revised 3 x but because of weight gain. The neuro feels

that there may be a blockage in it now (we'll find out

Friday) and if there is then it is my fault. This particular

shunt has been in since 1988 and I haven't been to a neuro

in about 6 years.

Yes Chip, Ronny, Amy Jo and who ever else I've been to

my primary care dr but not a neuro. BACK OFF take a chill

pill!! lol I went to the neurologist on the 14th, like

they say better late than never!!!!!

June

TCouch5061@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 1/16/99 12:41:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, otero@...