Super Mario

Louise, the difference is, we understand, chances are that your family don't even after all those years.

There is not a time scale and each case is looked at individually.

May be worthwhile ringing your consultant's secretary to check whether he has actually replied as they are busy and may not have got around to it yet.

Even if the consultant has replied it will still take DVLA ages to act upon his report.

Ringing DVLA may help to hurry thing up but don't hold your breath.

If you look around the site there are several threads about driving.

eg http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?/topic/3563-dvla/?hl=dvla

Welcome to BTG.

Unfortunately you are not allowed to drive until you have been cleared by DVLA to do so. I suggest you ring them and see where you stand.

DVLA are notoriously slow and will more than likely want a report from your doctor/consultant before making a decision.

Sorry that this is not good news.

Disability Employment Advisors are employed by DWP and found at Job Centres. Their job is to get you into work regardless of your condition so I don't think they will be of any help.

I would presume you are in a union, they will be the people to ask advice from or failing that try ACAS.

Frank, that is a question you will have to ask your doctors as we are not medically qualified. Sorry,

CW, forums can be of so much help but don't forget that folk often go to forums and only post the negative.

The number of people posting on that forum will only be a small minority among the thousands, possibly millions who live with shunts, although it may seem that here are many on there.

Clare, it is known that DVLA drag their feet for ages, meaning months.

If you get no joy from any of the suggestions above I would suggest that you consider contacting your MP. Sometimes, when they get involved there is a sudden change of heart and they pay out.

As Karen says insurance companies are quick to take your money off you but try every trick in the book not to part with any.

One of the things that is advised after a SAH is to drink 3 litres of water a day. It helps with healing and helps to keep the headaches at bay.

How, well it will be medically proven but I certainly don't know other than to keep well hydrated.

Many congratulations on your graduation and thank you for posting your achievement. It will certainly help others to realise that a SAH is not the end of the world.

Please can we keep on topic, this one is about alcohol.

If you want to discuss smoking then please start another thread.

Thank you

I drink within moderation, I was never told not to. This is a question you need to ask your doctor because what is OK for one may not be for another.

Do you have a programmable shunt?

Yes, mine is programmable.

Welcome to BTG

This thread is a very old one and the originator no longer posts. It may be prudent to start a new thread and there may be someone who has had similar experiences amongst our current members who will reply

I don't experience it either.

The possibilities are that it is not needed as the pressure has returned to normal therefore no drainage or it could be the type of shunt and that is why I feel nothing or I have just got used to it.

I think some people have remarked on sensations when the shunt drains on your original thread.

1)  Do you get headaches from the shunt?

Not at all now

2) Any pressure like high or low?

None whatsoever

3) Or do you not feel anything at all?

I feel nothing at all

I use Unique. Look them up. You have to ring them and you talk to a real person. You cannot apply online with them. In fact avoid trying to get insurance online, you need to be able to explain.

I paid £129 in March this year for 12 months insurance  with no exclusions, which is cheap as I have heart problems too and had a heart attack in September 2013. 

Sammy, I have lost count of the number of times I have flown since I had my shunt fitted getting on for 12 years ago now. 4/5 times in some years. I have had no ill effects at all.

Fly away and enjoy yourself.

Codewarrier, , you say you only travel to where you know there is a neuro hospital.

I too, love travelling, I go on my own abroad, several times a year, often to tiny islands where there is only one clinic, no neuro back up, and to get you off the island it is by ambulance boat.

I never give shunt failure a second thought. My attitude is "what will be, will be". We can't alter what life holds for us so you really ought to try and live your life to the full the best you can.

I was left disabled by the SAH as well as having the shunt, but that doesn't stop me enjoying life to the best of my ability.

In fact, I grasp every opportunity that comes my way and take full advantage of it.

We survived, make the most of it and don't waste energy on worry.

Codewarrier, please seek counselling for your fear.

You said that you have had it before for an unrelated matter and it was no good. This will possibly be a different type of counselling and not the same counsellor. You can't judge until you try.

You have this irrational fear that has taken over your life and you really need the help to come to terms with it.

Please request it and give it a go.

Codewarrier, depression can be experienced in the aftermath of a SAH, possibly that is what you have and your parents are right.

Depression could be the cause of you looking on the black side regarding the shunt.

I lost about 3 months of my life, no memories whatsoever and only vague memories for months after discharge. I didn't even know about the shunt until months after, although I kept asking what the lump at the back of my head was. Can't remember having it inserted.

The only information I gleaned was what my hubby told me.

As to the shunt breaking down, see what Macca said about his DIL, changed as a child because of her growing, but the last one is still functioning after goodness knows how many years.

You need to ask the medics about that for reassurance.

It comes over to me that you are afraid of death, many people are, only natural for lots. Me, I couldn't care less, it comes to us all eventually, young or old. I live with the fact I won't have a lengthy life due to other problems but I enjoy my life to the full whilst I am here. There is no point of worrying about the inevitable. At the end of the day you could go out and be run over by a bus, do you worry about that? I guess not. Nobody can forecast what their lifespan will be.

You are only 37, you are still here and many after a SAH aren't. You are one of the lucky ones, you survived. You have a life so please try to put the SAH and the fact you have a shunt behind you and live your life as you would have done before the SAH to the best of your ability.

Codewarrior, forgive me if this seems harsh but where would you be without the shunt? In a dreadful situation. The shunt keeps the fluid pressure at normal levels.

Isn't it preferable to have the shunt and accept it so that it keeps the pressure normal.

The internet is a wonderful thing but too much research can give out loads of negative information, so stop searching about blocked shunts. It is like reviews, some folk often only tend to do them if there is something negative to report, therefore you only hear the bad, rather than the good.

Shunts are more likely to block in children rather than adults and this is probably the age group you are reading about.

I can understand your worry as I think all us shunt folk have worried  and thought "what if" when we initially had one fitted, but we have all learned to accept it and get on with life forgetting it is there. None of us on this site, past and present members, to my knowledge, have ever had a problem with a blockage. 

Please do not take this the wrong way, but you seem to have a fixation about your shunt failing. You have spoken to the medics who have reassured you but you still can't accept that you will be alright. Maybe the time has come to ask for some sort of counselling to help you come to terms with the fact you have a shunt and that it is very unlikely to fail.

I am sorry that this may sound to you very harsh, if you find it upsets you then please accept my apologies.

What more can I add? Nothing

I will have to ask..  We tried dancing when we were dating and first married, but he has no sense of rhythm and cannot lead and I took dance for 12 years, so then I would try to lead.  We got into an argument every time and decided in our first year of marriage that we wouldn't dance anymore for the sake of our marriage.  Grin...

Elizabeth, things may be different now, you are both older and therefore more mature.

Elizabeth, now this is just a suggestion, is your hubby interested in dancing? If so you could both go to a class and learn together, ballroom, latin American. If you can already dance, are there any dance clubs you could go to together? It would give exercise and relaxation at the same time. Some people I know have found it therapeutic.

You could give it a try and see what happens.