Hi Everyone,

My name is Loraine and I was diagnosed with IIHH November 2009, by my Doctor after going to him with numerous complaints about headaches and pain behind my eyes. The last straw was when I collapsed in the classroom( frightening the life out of the young people whom I teach). Only to come around and found out that I couldn't see God that was frightening. After a while my sight did come back, but very vividly. After numerous of tests and questions I was diagnosed with Inter cranial Hypertension and given medication. Which from the threads I have read seems to be a pretty standard - starting point in treating this condition- to cut a long story short, I graduate from Diam ox, to a series of Lumbar punctures (pretty awful things!!!) to eventually surgery. Last year May 2010, I was fitted with a VP Shut, which consequently failed within 2 weeks of being inserted my revision took place 2 weeks within the first which by all accounts is quite quick. Apart from the huge scar across my abdomen ( I also developed a hernia). I have been so much better. Occasionally I experience tinnitus in my right ear I don't know if it is related to the shunt- seeing them in April so I'll ask then. That's if anyone else knows.

Nice knowing there's others out there who understand the condition. Thank you for hearing and having Me

Loraine xxxxx

Hi Loraine, and a very happy to the group. I'm so glad that having the shunt has made a big difference, and if it's any consolation my first VP shunt got blocked and had to be revised after 3 weeks. It is a lot better than having lumbar punctures and you forget you have it after a while.

It must have been awful for you collapsing like that in your classroom, and then not being able to see for a while either. Thank goodness your sight returned to normal though. Have you continued to teach?

As for the tinnitus, I'm afraid most of us with IIH have it. It is one of the side effects of Diamox, although many of us have found that when we aren't on the Diamox, we still have the tinnitus. Which ends up being one of those that we end up having to live with I'm afraid.

I look forward to getting to know you better, and I hope you like it here and find it helpful and reassuring.

Heidi

Loraine,
I have a vp shunt also & the only time I have tinnitus is when my shunt isn't working. I hope that isn't the case for you. My surgeon told me that at times even when my shunt is owrking it may take a little bit for it to adjust to changes in pressure..... so maybe that's why you get it at times. Best advise is to let ur surgeon know about it and let him be the judge. Let us know how ur appt goes in April.

Take care,
Melissa