VP shunt pain

[cfamous]

I am 36, and have a VP shunt placed over my occipital fossa about 14 yrs ago.  As soon as the shunt was placed, I began experiensing headaches on a daily basis, and can no longer run, jump up and down, or anyother type of physical exertion that jars the shunt.  I also cannot stand having the area touched, or having the shunt's reservoir depressed.  I tried in '96 to have the shunt removoed, and for one month was pain-free, but after a month, the cyst that was present filled back up, and the shunt was placed again, with the resulting pain and headaches I experienced before.  Does anyone out there expereice similiar pain, and have you been able to alleviate it w/out the use of meds?  Thanx!

[piry]

hi! I have a shunt the thing is when I go to pee it feel like it burns in the neck area help!!

[sotoc25]

im only 16 nd im gettin pain by my v p shunt now nd idk wat to do

if u kno wats wrong with me email me to ***@****

Thank you

[jadiee_x]

hi, i also have a vp shunt.
3 weeks ago i had a shunt revision after experiencing high pressure headaches, my shunt was changed to a high pressure vp shunt, i now experience low pressure headaches...if this is your case then ive been told to drink energy drinks such as red bull and kick as it had torrine and caffeine in them that helps the flow of CSF fluid.

hope this helps and good luck and will wish for these headcahes your having to subside soon =D x

[Sherrizim]

Have you had your ICP checked with the shunt?  Has it been in the normal range?  Was the valve also removed when you had your shunt removed?

The response from Quix makes the most sense and takes into account all the symptoms you are experiencing.  Another possibility, but it does not take into account all your symptoms, is that your shunt is causing your ICP to be too low.  Low ICP can cause headaches.

[Quixotic1]

I have an idea, but it might be off the wall.  there is a well-known type of headache called "epicrania fascia spasm".  It is thought to be caused by an spasm of the muscles around the outer skull which pull on the fascia (connective tissue) which is attached to the skull.  It is characterized by a sever headache in a very localized spot and the skin over that area can be exquisitely tender to touch.

It would appear to me that this could be the mechansim for your shunt pain.  One of the treatments is localized injection of various substances, one of which recently has been botox.  It wouldn't hurt to be seen at a headache clinic to investigate whether your headache might respond to treatment like the epicrania fascia spasm (also known by other names, I think) headache.

Just a thought, Quix