Question Need Help

[angieandmike97]

Hey everyone,

I have a question concerning my son Michaels shunt. Is it normal for it to feel like it has fluid around the shunt? It doesn't look swollen but a little puffy. I called his neurosurgeon and they are closed for the day and his Primary Care doctor doesn't know much about shunts....go figure.

I don't want to panic, but I am concerned if this is normal or not.

Thanks,
Angela

[Jill]

How long ago did he get it? My son had that while he was in the hospital just after and off and on if he was laying on that side of his head, but hasn't had it since maybe 1month post. What I would do is get a pen and draw a line around the swelling right now. Watch it tonight and if it grows, take him in to the ER. If it stays the same, wait and talk to someone in the morning. Unless someone here says it's more urgent! Is he showing any other signs of a shunt problem? Irritable, sleeping a lot, spitting up/vomiting, crying a lot, head growth? If yes, go in now, just to be safe. I wouldn't freak out, but I would be on high alert.

[LillyPie]

I was told that some swelling is normal, but excessive swelling is not. How big around in the swelling?

[angieandmike97]

He is 9 weeks old tomorrow and had the shunt put in at 5 days.
I did the line thing and will keep an eye on it. I am just scared of that damn shunt, but I don't want to rush him to the ER over every little thing or I know they will get to the point that they won't take me serious when there is a problem. I had that issue with my daughter, she had problems with her kidneys when she was born and I would panic and take her in, and the one time that it was an emergancy they didn't respond to quickly.

Thank you Jill for the advice, I have followed it and will see if the swelling gets worse.

[angieandmike97]

Lilly,

the swelling is maybe about a centimeter in width and the length of the shunt, it feelings like there is fluid under the skin, that is what had me worried.

[ainemc]

Caitlin's shunt site has always looked a little swollen but it's fine. I know how you feel about going to ER over every little thing, i've been more times than enough and because we've had a few false alarms we don't get the scans or anything now unless she is showing lots of symptoms. Bring him down though if he is vomiting, drowsy, irritable, or if his fonatelle is bulging or if his head circumference is increasing significantly. Hopefully you can get an appointment soon with neurosurgeon to put your mind at rest!

[Jill]

How's he doing today?

[chandrick]

You shouldn't feel that way about going to E.R. that's what they are there for that is there job. I would be freaking out to if I were you. I hope everything turns out ok. I would definatly ask if a different neurosurgeon or neurologist can see him though. My daughter's has been swollen before but never felt fluid around it. the swelling only lasted for a day or two and it would come and go.

[valmarie]

Curoius how this turned. My son had this fluid thing too and turned out there was a leak around the valve. He had only had the shunt for 6 weeks or so at the time (if even). Hope things are ok by now!