Super Mario

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

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.

The doctors are aware of the contra indications and there is another drug that can be taken to lower cholesterol that is not a statin. Only usually given when statins don't suit and there is no other alternative. Ask the medics.

I have never heard of anyone having to clean a shunt out. In any case you can't get to it as it is under the skin. You will know if you had an EVD as you will have a small dent in your skull where it was fitted.

I can't tolerate any noise at all since my SAH over 11 years ago. I don't watch TV and avoid anywhere that is noisey. I have trained my self to blank out noise in the main. Just like switching off really.

I was told that shunts in children are more likely to block than those in adults but please ask your doctor about it. I have had mine for nearly 12 years now and never had a problem.

Posted on behalf of Jump to create own thread. Hi All I am just seeking some advice Dad is very very low and depressed at the moment which I appreciate is a part of the recovery stage, I sometimes feel very helpless and am looking for some advice on how to help him. The doctor wants to maybe put dad on anti depressants and we are all worried that this may affect dad's recovery and interfere with the chemicals in his brain. What advise do you have as today was a really low day and Dad really didn't even have any energy to eat. Thanks All x x

Lumbar punctures can cause bruising that lasts for quite a long time. My advice would be to see your doctor if only to put your mind at rest.

What more can I add to Tina's post, nothing. Completely agree with it. I also am honoured to be part of your team.

The good news is that slowly but surely your dad is improving. It will be a long slow journey but with the family's support and encouragement he will make progress. All seems positive for your dad. Just remember to take time for yourself.

I suggest that you speak to your GP, there is treatment out there for your problems. Could only be short term treatment that will help you get over the hill. Bite the bullet and see the medics.

Welcome to BTG Annie. I am sure someone will be along to reply if they have had the same. Please be aware though, that we are not medically trained therefore cannot give medical advice. It may be prudent to discuss the matter with your doctor.

11 years on and I still cant abide noise and I never watch tv, cant abide the noise and the movement makes me feel really ill. So much so that I sit I a completely different room now

Brilliant news, happy motoring again.

If you are really concerned about your dad's increased appetite have a talk to your GP. It could be that something has happened to his "appetite sensor" and may correct itself in time. Did your dad lose a lot of weight whilst in hospital? If so it could be his body's way of telling him to put it back on. I lost 1 1/2 stone whilst in hospital but I can't remember eating like a horse when I got home, my taste was affected so lived on smoked fish and salad or mushrooms on toast as everything else tasted foul. Eventually I reached the weight I was pre SAH and have remained stable ever since. Luckily my sense of taste returned gradually over a period of a few months. Please be aware that what I have posted is pure speculation and not medical advice.

One of our moderators has but she is on holiday at the moment. I am sure she will reply when she returns home. Sorry I can't help you any more. Please be patient and you will get an answer.

Welcome to BTG Rosalind. I suggest you start a new thread for your query as this one is from 2013 and the poster does not post on here anymore.

Very good news indeed for you Jules. Well done.

Thank you for the feedback Jules. I wonder if it will ever be brought into the rest of the UK.

A warning!!!! Just a note to say we have a heckler on the site, name of Win, she is trying to disrupt the smooth running and making sure there is plenty of work for us mods whilst Admin is busy with other things over the weekend. Please do not follow her lead.