Medtronic strata shunt keeps losing setting

Question

I have had a magnetic shunt valve lose it setting at least 13 times during the 3.5 years it has been in my head, I would like too know how many other people have had similar problems, as Medtronic & my N.S deny that there is not a problem with these valves,as it causes major problems when I get overdrainage of my CSF.

snewcomb · Answer

yes i have the same promblem  call me 7147378279- 0r 9092465326

patricia427 · Answer

My dad also has NPH and his Medronic Strata II has lossed it's setting at least 4 times in the last 3 years.  It's probably been more, but his NS is such a narcisscist that it scares me to take my dad in to have it checked, so we just live with the return of symtoms until it gets really bad.  Right now he is again on a much lower setting than he should be.  I know because I looked at an x-ray of his head that was taken a couple months ago and can clearly see the wrong setting myself. I haven't called his NS yet.  He won't admit that there is anything wrong with this shunt and it's driving me crazy.  Yes, your shunt could be defective as I feel my dad's is, but unfortunately NS's in the same area do stick together and you may have to go outside your area to get your shunt replaced with another brand.

Sara4101 · Answer

I was diagnosed with NPH in 11/11. I had my 1st shunt inserted in 1/12. In 4/12 the shunt had to be removed because of a hernia in my abdomen. The 2nd shunt was inserted in 7/12. Since that time, I have had to have several recalibrations. This was at first attributed to magnets (my mother is big on magnetic therapy for her aches/pains). The magnets have been removed but I am now having problems with headaches on the side of my head where the surgery took place. How should I approach my NS about the possibility that the Medtronic Strata 2 (Lot #D22779) may be defective?

ian34 · Answer

Hi kushwaha I have replied to TayTay please read as may be helpful to you I have not been here for a while but will keep in touch now Good Luck

ian34 · Answer

In reply to your question,re medtronic strata I never had the problem resolved by my N.S or medtronic if left in my head it may well have killed me. My only solution was to go outside my area for an independent assesment. I had an awesome N.S say he would remove the unit &replace it with an Integra OSV11 it was life changing if not life saving I had an awesome 12 months unfortunately it just stopped working.I went back to the N.S after feeling very unwell where he took me in for obs I where upon he removed it & replaced it again once again I feel awesome.So if you can find a good N.S it is not really a problem,just inconvenient. I have spoken at length to find that shunts can regularly stop working,one of his patients has had 12 shunts in 9 years.It makes life so much better if you are told the true facts instead of all the crap they make you put up with as we all know with hydro there can be huge problems,when not treated. I just wish there were more N.S out therewho would listen.Good Luck to all. I havent been here for a while but will check on you all regularly.God Bless Ian

kushwaha1915 · Answer

So does my daughter.....I do know for a fact that anything creating a electromagnetic field changes the settings.. for e.g.  grocery scanners. cordless phones.. loud commercial speakers etc.... I ask my daughter to stay away from these objects.. even loud music in cars activate these speakers and cause changes..... Please do not try anything invasive as lumbar punctures...having a surgery before in these delicate places makes you more susceptible to infections....

TayTay3 · Answer

Did you ever find an answer to your question?  My daughter has this same shunt-it is her 4th one, but the first time we experienced the shunt  changing the setting on it's own with out an mri.  I am looking for answers to what outside factors my cause this, so we can avoid this happening in the future.
Thanks.

ian34 · Answer

The point of my question was to ask why a Medtronic Strata valve would keep losing its setting, if it stayed on 2.5 it would not be a problem, I wonder how many other patients with NPH have had this happen the Stratius adjuster used to re adjust the shunt valve also has trouble getting a reading from my valve that just seems to be unstable. Thanking you Ian

anuragsrivastava · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. If you have continuous symptoms, possible causes may be shunt is either under-draining or over-draining. Your doctor can assess this with a lumbar puncture and measures the fluid pressure. He or She may make some adjustment of the shunt to allow it to drain more and can monitor if the headache improve. Another possibility could be shunt is over-draining, that may lead to low CSF pressure that can also lead to headache. This may improve when the person lies down and gets worse when the person sits or stands. Other possibility could be migraine or cluster headache since these types of headaches are quite common in females. Please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the further underlying disorders here that may be the main reasons of your symptoms and can suggest her appropriate treatment. Hope this information proves helpful to you.