Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
945463 tn?1266521933

Shunt Failure?

Ok I have a VP shunt. I have had this for almost 2 years now and it is my first one. I have been taking a new medicine for about a month now for my headaches called Gabapentin. It has helped alot but the last couple of days I have had this horrible pain that goes through the entire right half of my brain. My shunt is on the right side. This is my first shunt so I don't really know how to know if it is failing and I absolutely cannot go to my doctor. I am in college on scholarship I can't even miss class if I am dying literally.The last time I had to take off I lost my scholarship and just barely got it back now I am on probation with them because of it. How can I tell if my shunt is failing with out going to the doctor?
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have no idea about damage, but u may get worse to the point u r in the hospital longer than if u go now.......it may be that ur shunt needs an adjustment.....and without contacting ur dr u might not know...at least call and ask what he thinks and if he can refer u to someone close to where u r to help determine what is going on.

"selma"
Helpful - 0
945463 tn?1266521933
The next break I have is thanksgiving but that is only four days and if I have to have some kind of surgery to fix it four days will not be long enough because I have to go out of town and my doctor likes to keep me for at least a week because my medication messes with my immune system and I always get an infection. I am trying to put it off until next year before spring starts but If there is something wrong I don't know if I should wait that long? This is still all new to me. I can deal with the pain until then but I don't want to cause serious damage by waiting. The Gabapentin helps to dull the pain a little. Can  waiting cause damage?
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi...not having a shunt, but hearing what others have said...it sounds like it is possible u have an issue with ur shunt.

Sometimes it is a blockage, other times it could be the setting is off....too slow or too fast a drain.

Maybe u can set up an appointment during the next holiday depending on how u r feeling.

"selma"
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease