Hi guys,
I had a consult with the neurosurgeon yesterday and one thing lead to another and i almost wound up being admitted for the lumbar shunt fitting today... once i was able to get the colour back in my face he sent me for an MRI to check on my head (as i haven't had a scan in nine months since this whole thing started) and for my pre assessment and he said to go away and have a think about it as i have run out of medical options. So i'm battered an bruised, and my head feels like it will explode, but my eyes aren't a worry currently. And i've got this huge decision to make.. All i have heard are horror stories about this shunt, so naturally i'm absolutely petrified but i'm also fed up of being so ill all the time... I'm 21 and i want my life back =/

So i was hoping for some kind of advice to help me decide whether to go for it or just put up with the headaches and illness unless my sight becomes threatened.

PLEASEE

I have had my lumbar shunt since the end of 2002. There are definitley risks and everyone responds differently, but I've been able to maintain fulltime employment since I started back to work in 2005. I have had a few revisions over the years, but they've been pretty simple. I'm not going to pretend that it's been perfect, but I'm so grateful and not sure I would have survived the last decade without it!

Check out http://www.ihaveiih.com/t809-about-shunts-valves-and-the-benefits-and-risks and feel free to PM me w/ any specific questions or concerns.


Julie

I was very apprehensive myself about having a shunt, and although I've had revisions I have been symptom free, and my eyes stable. The shunt is a permanent thing, so of course it's something which is overwhelming when presented to you. I won't lie to you they can become blocked, loose and even infected, but they can also in the most part be extremely effective. I've been shunted since 2001 which stopped my vision loss and saved my remaining tunnel vision.

Have a read through our information and by all means ask lots of questions of us. Talk it over with your family and read our booklet Talking to your Neurosurgeon, there are lots of questions you could put to yours, which may help your decision.

I don't have a shunt myself, so I don't really have any personal experience I can share. Around where I live, the general attitude is they don't seem to consider shunts an option unless there is a danger to the vision. They aren't as quick to attempt shunting for pain relief as it seems like they are in some other areas. Like Heidi said, be sure to ask all your questions and get a good feel for whether or not shunting has a real chance to improve the quality of your life. *big hugs* The good thing about there not being an immediate vision risk in your case, is that you don't have to rush into anything. Take your time and get all the facts. I know there are lots of folks here who will chime in with their experiences.