paris Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 my partner had to have a shunt fitted after the SAH,hes always complaines of it being tender down the back of his head to the point were he cant lie on it,and he gets a lot of head aches around that area. theres no infection so thats good but i was just wondering if anyone else has a shunt could you give us some advice about it as weve not really been told anything like what you can or cant do,should the shunt tube be tender. any advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod123 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Hi Merrill my wife has a shunt and hers was uncomfortable to lay on for the first few weeks as we remember she's had hers 9 months now and it's not caused her too much trouble she did say about a month ago that she had a headache around where the shunt is but thats the only time and now she's pretty much unaware that it's there most of the time it may be that it's different for everyone, so just see whats said by others with a shunt , Good luck Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 hi paris i think its because the shunt is new and when they inserted it they had to make a hole for it to pass into the tummy this can take up to 3 months for things to settle down and the bruising to dissipate and normal service to resume if the headaches are severe i suggest you contact the secretary of the n/s just to put your and hubby's mind to rest lin hasn't had any problems with hers as far as i know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perrycornish Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I would agree with Rod and Paul here Paris. I have a shunt and did feel discomfort and aches in the early days. It is much more comfortable now, and I can lie on it, but only if the pillow is soft, on a much harder surface 'tis still rather tender, but then I have ,like most people, got soft rather than hard pillows;-) I did have renewed problems a little while ago, but we then found that the shunt was misbehaving anyway ( this was about 18 months post SAH) the malfunction was fixed and the tenderness has gone again. I do find though that it is better if I wear a hat in winter, so for the first time in my life I've joined the hat wearers:-D I would also rather not be poked in the area of the shunt;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thankyou for your replies at least we know now that it is normal to have tenderness and hopefully it will get better with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntaras Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hi Paris, I had a shunt put in in November last year to help cope with the flow of liquid. I find that my shunt is tender if a catch it. The shunt does not have as much protection as elsewhere because it is so close to the surface. Like Perry I try and use a soft pillow when in bed. I think it is just a thing we have to get used to. But as advised if you are truly concerned get in touch with your doctor. Take care and good luck John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hi, I have a shunt & a tube the tube side it took about 2yrs before I could lie on that side, the shunt is very tender when the weathers horrible..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 My shunt is very sensitive to heat and cold and the area still hurts if I lie directly on it. This is 6 years down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thankyou again for all your replies it has helped alot to put our minds at ease.xx: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 just one thing i would like to point out if paris dosnt mind how many of you have a card given to you re your shunt from the hydrocephalus group or your gp as they now seem to be pushing for more awareness should you be taken into hospital non sah related it does have an effect and prevents problems your gp should have given you one or the hospital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I have not got a card. When I asked about one I was told that they had stopped doing them as people lost them. Hubby keeps meaning to make me one with date fitted, where fitted with a contact phone number for the hospital, type and setting but it hasn't appeared as yet. I have got and carry cards for all my cardiac stents so I would have thought it prudent to have one for the shunt, especially as I travel overseas quite a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 we wasnt aware that he should have a card,we've never been given one anyway. Thankyou for making us aware of this hes at docs tomorrow so he can ask him about it. It does make sense to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Never heard of it..... Though I wear a SOS chain which has all the details on it inside..... I do however have a card I got from Headway saying 'I am a survivour of a brain injury, I may have problems with my memory, speech or actions, Your help and patience would be appreciated.... This is very handy in shops and the like.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod123 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Hi Yes Merrill too has a card from headway which they sent her and she carries with her all the time if anyone wants one you just ring 0808 800 2244 and they send a couple out even if you don't go to the meetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Hey there Yep I have a Headway card too and have never been to a meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Hi paris I had a shunt fitted soon after my sh in 2007 it's still smart's every now and again especially if you catch it wrong or lay on a hard surface. I guess it;s the same old thing if it hurts don't do it again but you do learn to live with it. I can't say mine has ever given me headaches though. I do however feel that I feel a preasure sometimes but I also have no info on this. take care Josie Edited February 8, 2010 by bogbrush italics removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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