Programmable shunt and storms

[canadianlistener]

Last June I had a Strata programmable valve put in for hydrocephalus. I have noticed this new shunt hates storms. As each storm approaches and goes through, my brain feels like it is going to explode through the top of my skull.

Anyone else with a programmable shunt also experience extreme pain every time there is a storm?

Rob

[Barb]

I can always tell when a storm is coming because c (my nine year old) gets extremely cranky and says his head hurts. Last night we had a bad wind storm blow through that dropped the temperatures 20 degrees. He is miserable right now,

[Dodger67]

The problem is a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure that the shunt is not responding to quickly enough.
I read something about the programmable shunts being suceptible to having their setting messed up by "stray" magnetic fields. Thunderstorms cause magnetic disturbances.
Be careful about using headphones for music. The types with the small speakers that fit in the ear should be fine. The ones with the big speakers (in large cups that cover the ears) could have quite strong magnetic fields around them.

[Barb]

I never thought about that with headphones. Hmmmm..............

[kali]

hi canadian listener!!! welcome!!! nice to see a canadian on board! I am also from ontario canada, although I am living abroad. sure miss home. my son just has a regular shunt that is suppose to grow with you as you get taller, its american made thats all I know. the nice thing is we havent had any problems with it!!!!!

[lolathechecker]

i asked my neonatologist for a programmable shunt for my baby, but he told me they couldnt put one in a newborn. whats the deal with that? are they too big? he didnt really elaborate.:confused:

[Barb]

Another one of my wild guesses....with the fontanels still open it may be too hard to find and regulate a pressure with it??? :confused:

[kali]

i didnt realize a newborn couldnt hav a programable shunt, that explains things to me. my son stills has the same shunt since birth.

[Dodger67]

Don't fix what ain't broke!

[wendypal]

Funny that this subject has come up. Sam never complains of pain, but tonight we are getting ready to have a big storm, we're under a tornado watch. He is complaining about a headache. Even in the past when he has had shunt malfunction he doesn't complain. So I am praying that this is just due to a change in pressure and not a shunt thing. Ugh! I know you all can relate to just a headache being cause for concern. I know with my other kids when they get headaches I give them tylenol and don't think too much more about it. But with Sam my brain always go to "what" it could be. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Talk to you all soon.
Wendy p

[kali]

hi everyone, I have been so down lately, my friends 7 year old son that was born with sb just passed away. he has been so sick for the last 2 and a half months. he had two operations one for unclogging his shunt, then after that they completely removed and replaced his shunt. the doctor who performed the operation is an excellent doctor, the same one my son has since birth. anyways the little boy was fine for a couple of weeks after the shunt replacement then it all started all over again headaches, vomiting, fever.... when he died he was in so much pain, my heart feels broken, when I think of his beautiful smile, and see his mother's pain. now I am having nightmares, and so extra protective of my own son. I just wanted to share with everyone, and now I am crying...

[mommy2cnj]

I'm sure that it is both sad & frightening at the same time. :( We're here for you, kali!! Hugsssssssssssss

[lisamarie6801]

Bless you. I can't nor do I wish to imagine the pain of losing my SB baby. Do you know exactly what the cause of death was? I'd hate to think it was something as simple as just because they had to change it? Shy's never had to have hers replaced (11 years later) nor has it ever malfunctioned. I've always been terrified that I wont recognize when it does! Who can tell when she's "lethargic" or just "moody" anymore?! She's becoming a teenager and IM NOT READY!!!!:eek:

[Barb]

Since moving to CO this last week, I am really noticing this issue. Yesterday it dropped almost 15 degrees in a few minutes with a rain storm that came in. Apparently that is really common.

I was anticipating the high altitude to throw him through a loop initially but it has not seemed tbother him as much as the constantly fluctuation in temperature.