Re: The good Bad & Ugly About Shunts

April 23, 2002

For those that need the shunts, the name becomes 'Good'. Bad and ugly get

tossed out.

Hi, having 3 shunts myself, I have to be called a supporter of shunts for

they have saved my life and continue to do so. No choice on the shunt

subject for me and I have learned to appreciate them a lot.

Shunts can do lots of good and they have a specific purpose, and they do

just that. They can guide fluid out when it's clogged or when you make too

much fluid and cannot get out timely. In otherwords, it opens up the

'plumbing'. Sorry to put in that way.

Now, the dangers with shunts are, occasionally they may need a revision.

More revisions may be needed if the person is young because of growth

issues. Also, the most important thing with shunts is only to have them in

by a doc who has done a lot of these. Too many things can go wrong if not

placed correctly. I have heard of numerous repeat surgeries because the doc

didn't place the shunt correctly or they got an infection which can be

common.

I have had some of my shunts for going on 8 years. I just found out the

Lumbar one is broken. I have never needed a revision...knock on wood, but

now I do need to get it replaced. It's been good for 8 years though.

Thank God not everyone has a need for a shunt. For those that do, have

confidence. They are very GOOD.

Take care dear friends,

Leanda

The good Bad & Ugly About Shunts

> Hi all, )

>

> can some people please give me some info about the consequences of

> having a shunt to control ICP?

> even my neuro does not like them..

>

> Regards,

> Mitch.

>

April 23, 2002

For those that need the shunts, the name becomes 'Good'. Bad and ugly get

tossed out.

Hi, having 3 shunts myself, I have to be called a supporter of shunts for

they have saved my life and continue to do so. No choice on the shunt

subject for me and I have learned to appreciate them a lot.

Shunts can do lots of good and they have a specific purpose, and they do

just that. They can guide fluid out when it's clogged or when you make too

much fluid and cannot get out timely. In otherwords, it opens up the

'plumbing'. Sorry to put in that way.

Now, the dangers with shunts are, occasionally they may need a revision.

More revisions may be needed if the person is young because of growth

issues. Also, the most important thing with shunts is only to have them in

by a doc who has done a lot of these. Too many things can go wrong if not

placed correctly. I have heard of numerous repeat surgeries because the doc

didn't place the shunt correctly or they got an infection which can be

common.

I have had some of my shunts for going on 8 years. I just found out the

Lumbar one is broken. I have never needed a revision...knock on wood, but

now I do need to get it replaced. It's been good for 8 years though.

Thank God not everyone has a need for a shunt. For those that do, have

confidence. They are very GOOD.

Take care dear friends,

Leanda

The good Bad & Ugly About Shunts

> Hi all, )

>

> can some people please give me some info about the consequences of

> having a shunt to control ICP?

> even my neuro does not like them..

>

> Regards,

> Mitch.

>

April 23, 2002

For those that need the shunts, the name becomes 'Good'. Bad and ugly get

tossed out.

Hi, having 3 shunts myself, I have to be called a supporter of shunts for

they have saved my life and continue to do so. No choice on the shunt

subject for me and I have learned to appreciate them a lot.

Shunts can do lots of good and they have a specific purpose, and they do

just that. They can guide fluid out when it's clogged or when you make too

much fluid and cannot get out timely. In otherwords, it opens up the

'plumbing'. Sorry to put in that way.

Now, the dangers with shunts are, occasionally they may need a revision.

More revisions may be needed if the person is young because of growth

issues. Also, the most important thing with shunts is only to have them in

by a doc who has done a lot of these. Too many things can go wrong if not

placed correctly. I have heard of numerous repeat surgeries because the doc

didn't place the shunt correctly or they got an infection which can be

common.

I have had some of my shunts for going on 8 years. I just found out the

Lumbar one is broken. I have never needed a revision...knock on wood, but

now I do need to get it replaced. It's been good for 8 years though.

Thank God not everyone has a need for a shunt. For those that do, have

confidence. They are very GOOD.

Take care dear friends,

Leanda

The good Bad & Ugly About Shunts

> Hi all, )

>

> can some people please give me some info about the consequences of

> having a shunt to control ICP?

> even my neuro does not like them..

>

> Regards,

> Mitch.

>

April 23, 2002

Hi guys...

I have to agree with Leanda on this one.Following me decompression, 11+

years ago, I needed a VP shunt. ( I was told from the beginning that this

was a possibility). A shunt was not my surgeons first choice...she hoped to

avoid it, but my body didn't co-operate. <g>

The addition of the shunt made a world of difference to me. I could see the

improvement in my vision immediately in the recovery room. It was great...In

the years since, I have needed 2 revisions. (BTW, these are really pretty

simple, relatively speaking) However, also in this time, I have had maybe a

half dozen " normal " headaches..... I take NO medications....I lead a pretty

normal life! I consider this to be a pretty good trade off. And FYI, before

surgery I was VERY sick...aside from multitudinous symptoms, I finally

starting having multiple grand mal seizures @ day....not a " good thing " ! My

decompression took 8 hours.

Needless to say, I would opt for a shunt again, in an instant. It really has

made a great difference in my day to day quality of life. For instance, I am

still playing competitive tennis!

From what I know, there is still a lot of variation in Drs and their

" relationship " with shunts. Many still really don't deal with them much and

are pretty " negative " on them...I find this somewhat interesting, as they

really also haven't come up with much in the way of a viable alternative.

If I can try to answer any questions on " life as a shunted one " <g> please

ask!

All best wishes,

Sally R....ACM....Decompression '91...Hydro....VP shunt...2 revisions...No

medications...Doin' well in Bethlehem,Pa

> Hi all, )

>

> can some people please give me some info about the consequences of

> having a shunt to control ICP?

> even my neuro does not like them..

>

> Regards,

> Mitch.

>

April 23, 2002