I have had a shunt for almost 2 years and a few weeks ago I thought something was wrong. I went to the hospital and my neurosurgeon was on that night. He looked over all my test and told me that I was having a shunt migrain. I would like to know if I am the only one who has had this. He made it sound like a common thing. I was doing great before that. Only had migraines every know and then but know I get them every day. Can't even take anything to stop them, just something for the pain. Would love to know how to get rid of them without takeing pain medications.

Hi Missy, I do still have headaches from time to time even thought I have a shunt, they're usually around my monthlys and when the weather is awful. Have you noticed this kind of pattern? We've listed three of the main types of headaches just click on this link to see if any of them are similar to what you're experiencing. hope it helps.

Thanks for the info. I have had these kind of migraines and I also tend to get one around that time of month. The shunt migrain that I am asking about is a migrain around the shunt location on the head with a tight, pulling feeling of the tube in the neck. This is what the doctors told me was a shunt migrain. I have had it every day for weeks and it only lets up if I take tramadol. Just wondering if anyone else has been told that by the doctors or have them.

That doesn't sound like a migraine at all and I really would get your shunt checked out. Have you had any symptoms like a fever, is there any redness around your shunt site stuff like that? I don't want to alarm you but the symptoms you are describing sound like the ones you get with an infection or blockage.

You really need to see your Neurosurgeon who put the shunt in.

I went to see him. My first thought was something was wrong also but he ran all the test and came back and said it was fine. Said I would just have to keep takeing meds when I am in pain, which is all the time.

Did he do any tests or anything before he came to that conclusion, like blood tests or anything?

ct, xray, blood test. all were done.

I'm surprised he doesn't find it odd that you're having headaches everyday, because that shouldn't be the case with a shunt. I'd be persistent with him about making sure it's working properly. The purpose of having a shunt is to lower the pressure and minimise the headaches, not make you have to keep taking pain meds. He surely can't expect you to continue on like this, it's not making your life better at all

I am going back in about 14 days and I am going to bring up the questions of why I am having them. I have asked and researched and no one else has or even heard of a shunt migrain. I will let you know what he says.

Good I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope he gets to the bottom of it for you soon, so that you can be free of the headaches and have a better time of it.