A place where adults suffering with Hydrocephalus can
discuss topics related to this condition.
Go Obama!
by
Congrats to Obama for becomeing the new president. Maybe he can dig us out of the root that Bush got us into. I feel his pain in loosing his grandma. Had McCain won, we would be in worse shape. His $5,000 health allowence he would pass would quickly be used up. A day in the hosptial costs more than that. If you even look at the Emergency Room, it's $500. He would not reqire insurance compainies to cover those with pre-exsiting condations. His answer for the uninsured when they get sick-go to the ER.
Plus his choice for Sara Palin as a running mate was pathetic. She is more of a Bush clone than McCain is. She has no forighn policy experience. She said she had more since the can see Russia from her back yard. Thecnicly I have more foriegn policy expereine because I went to Englad and had to go through customs and had to have a passport. Sara go one just a month ago.
I abhor Palin. She's a power-hungry bitch and complete moron. McCain has to be asking himself what the hell he was thinking when he picked her to run with him.
He isn't any better. He's too freakin' old, borderline senile, a Bush clone , and scary as hell to imagine as President. Neither of them has ANY CLUE about the struggles of the middle class. He left his injured wife for a filthy rich Barbie doll. His arrogance is appalling. I am SO GLAD he didn't win!!!
I am close friends to all of you so that is why I left my name off. Everyone just wanted to vote for the black man. I don't care if he's purple. You all pluse the whole United States has had blinders on. I researched from the beginning wondering why they did not bring out this stuff on Ayers. He is a professor to choose who will be smart enough and can do a snow job on the USA... Obama has been molded from a young child. To hide his reliegon. His Dad is Muslim also his step-dad. There are records were he went to prayer several times a week with his step-dad. But he claimed to be Christian and said to go to services with Rev. Right at least twice a month. And he did not hear these hate America sermons. I don't mind the Muslim faith. But why lie? It is a good thing to have a black president but this is not the guy. He has too many ties to the underworld. But why too the community leadership deal why was he only helping black poor people. He is racest. He was brought up in a white home but keeps telling how he is a African-American. He gives no credit to the white grandparents. In one of his books it tells of his white grandma being scared when a black man approached her and he refered to his Gramdma being racest because this black man scared her. You all have had 2 years to do the research. I voted for McCain not because I thought he would be a better president but because I did not feel like he would bring 911 down on us. I voted for "NO" bama... He said what he had to to get you to vote for him. And what he has to to get in office. But how will you feel when he is giving out military secrets to The Weather group to help dismantle our government.
Liz, don't be so quick to judge McCain because of cheating. Look at Clinton. He did it for everyone to see. Liz look even your husband has a million and 1 excuses to cheat. You are disabled. You have a disabled child that may take attention away from him. I think 90% of men cheat. Very few do not. It is a fact of life. Palin did need more expierence but you know she was chosen because 1 she was a woman 2 she had the same expierence as Obama. She can talk the talk and walk the walk. She is a white female Obama.
Back to Obama. When he has us living like we are under Hitler. Tell me how do we get him out of office.
The least of our problems will be our medicare. It will be survival of the fittest and no one on this board is the fittest. I pray that I am wrong about my feelings that he is looking to distruct the US but I don't think I am wrong. I am truley scared; I am 911 scared.
I did not respond to get everyone upset but this was started and I had to tell the other side the side of how everyone that did not vote for him feels. So don't be bad mouthing me because I am everyones friend here.
I did not want to bring this subject up on a medical board but I hope you understand I had to say my "Peace" I'm afraid it wont last.
The things Obama said did sound better than McCain. But he has been over coached. And during his speaking to be so into his thoughts he still studdered or not studer but would repeat random words. Words that meant nothing. Like The The or and and. In phyc. 101 you learn things to tell when people are lying or they are trying to stall for some reason. Go on YouTube when he was running against Cl;inton. The Star Spangled Banner was playing. The croud and everyone on stage had there hand over their heart. He stood there with his hands crossed in front.
...I could just as easily cheat, if I chose to. Right now, my husband is far more diabled than I am. He just had eye surgery (#3 since June), and I am NOT "disabled." I do everything everyone else does, even if I have to work harder at it. Also, my MOTHER was the one who left for my father's best friend (and mom and hubby #2 are still married after 13 1/2 years).
I can't even begin to tell you (and anyone else) how sick and disgusted I am with the portrayal of Obama as the anti-Christ. PLEASE GET OVER IT. McCain was not fit to be prez, either. He's the oldest 72 yo I have ever seen. He confused autism with Down Syndrome!!!!!!!!!! If you think I'd vote for someone that clueless, you obviously don't know me. I don't see Obama as the savior of the world, by any stretch, but I think he is far more capable than McCain, and McCain's arrogance makes my skin crawl.
I also couldn't give rat shit if Obama was Muslim, although he is a Christian. As long as bliefs aren't forced on me, who cares what faith they are?? Muslim does NOT = terrorist. I hurt for the Muslim community that they have been given a bad name in the face of the terrorism of the past several years. Many have been beaten, tortured, and even killed in the name of what Americans think they're about. We don't have the luxury of dismissing a candidate based on misconceptions of who we think they are. We need the best candidate for the job, and IMHO, McCain doesn't even come close. (Don't even get me started on Palin...)
anamous, in reguards about Liz and her family.. and a little more.
by Anonymous
You don't know Mr. Welker, and from what she says in her little paragraph of information, her husband seems to be a pretty stand-up guy. We all should be as lucky as her to find someone like him.
Yeah, all of us here aren't exactly the same, there are liberals, democrats, republicans, and I think something about a "green party" members. EVERYBODY is entitled to his or her opinions. It doesn't matter, the important thing is that we stick together through the good times and the bad times, like a real family, because in some sense of the word, we ARE family, we share are great triumphs and great disappointments.
That's what makes us Americans, is our opinions, she made one and is entitled to it.
Re: anamous, in reguards about Liz and her family.. and a little more.
by Anonymous
In reguards back I am frre to have my openion also. Sorry but I have to see too many people praising Obama. I come here for help and advice not a sermon on How to pray to our next Persident. I think alot of Liz and Joy but it did hurt my heart to read the post about Obama celebration.
My point to liz was only don't judge because we all can and are judged.
...but my comment about McCain was not meant to single out his treatment of his ex-wife. There are a LOT of things that bug me about him, and no, I don't see Obama as a messiah of any type, but I think he has a much better handle on the needs of the dying middle class and how to meet them.
You get my applause.. along with a standing ovation. McCain and Palin don't have a clue about the middle class. They would put the middle class out of business forever and kill off those on medicaid/medicare, SSI, and SSDI. They would rob the poor and give to the rich, just like Bush has done. And McCain's health care plan of giving Americas a $5,000 health care plan would be blown to smithereens because one day in the hospital would cost more than $5,000. You so much of look at the ER and it costs you $500.
And then there's Sara Palin who does not have a clue. She only now got a passport. She say's she has more forign policy experience because she can see Russia from her back yard. What a laugh. I tecnically have more foreign policy experience because I've been to London and had to go through customs.
Joy, when the business' that make over 200,000 get taxed more you are just going to have to pay more. Like a service call being $65 it will be $75. When you are use to living on a certain amount just because they have to pay more taxes does not mean you are not going to have to pay more. It is just like everything. Oil rigs pay alot of taxes why do you think the gas prices keep going up. So you can keep their million dollar profit up. It is simple cause and effect.
Iwas initially diagnosed with NPH at the age of 39 in 1993 because I happened to have a MRI done due to Bells palsy. Nothing was done sine I did not have any symptoms other than enlarged ventricles. MRI's in 2002 and 2007 revealed the same and headaches began. Now I have unrelenting hedaches, dizziness and and nuasea; but not the classic symtpoms of NPH. I have an appt with a neuro-sugeon later this month. I am an RN and need to work. Should I push for the surgery now befoer I become incapacitated or wait? It is really scary not nothing how bad I caould become and when it will happen. i would appreciate any feedback from those who have been there. thanks so much.
WHOAHHHHH....I had mildly enlarged ventricles when I was diagnosed with probably NPH in Dec. 2006. Then went to a hospital in Ohio to see a neuro opthalmologist because of vision problems, and sent to ER. By this time, I had been having nausea, dizziness, and wetting pants. Ohio sent me home, said to come back and go through their neurology clinic in a month.
Meantime, I went to NSG here, who took me to surgery. I had high pressure hydrocephalus, which you can't tell from CT scan or MRI. They can just go by symptoms, with the xrays, and I still have some adjustments but doing better.
So NPH at your age, even mine (54) is unusual. Have it checked out more.
Sorry, just re read your message...you're not 39 anymore...but about my age anyway. Still weird they would decide on NPH as your DX. But I guess not impossible.
If you are having the symptoms you mentioned, it may be that you are ready for a shunt. Glad you're checking it out. I was having vision problems, saw my opthalmologist who ordered the Cat Scan, and found the hydro on me. No other symptoms at that particular time that stood out to me as anything too unusual, thought the headaches were from sinus problems, and the incontinence from old age...LOL.
I'm an RN also. I did go back to work briefly, two months after initial shunt and two revisions a week later. Other problems as well as the hydro made that too difficult at the time. I was working in a nsg home/rehab, so there was a lot of physical work.
With you being a nurse, I'm sure you've done the homework on this. This site is excellent and I've learned so much here that no book (not even my NSG) could teach me.
susan, the H/A's do feel like bad sinus H/A's. i have an appt with a NSG on 14 nov. It will be a long 2 weeks. Being a RN I always think of the worse! I would like to be able to work for another 5 years at least that way I would be able to retire from my Federal job. would you mind if I emailed you privately? Thanks. mary
I remember my first adult shunt, my first since I was five...
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I was 32 years old. My symptoms were increased hydro pressure, as seen by a head CT scan and a shunt series test, and vomiting all night with head pain I couldn't explain. My surgeon I met in the ER did a "shunt tap" to try to relieve my pressure, but it did not. Halloween 2003 was too spooky for me because I ended up in VP shunt revision surgery instead. I scared my entired family, including my 28 year old brother, who thought I was going to die. Since then, I had a horrifying 2006 year, with 4 surgeries in 6 months of revisions of all sorts, and right now headaches seems to come with the territory as I had my 3rd MRI of my head this year due to low pressure headaches that really hurt. I see my surgeon on November 19th to fix my valve setting to relieve my low pressure headaches, I hope. I am set at 2.0 right now, with 2.5 being my highest possible (ugh) setting, and I have been set at all settings below this before 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5, respectively. I hope the better setting helps me as I hope I have helps you understand shunts better to an extent from my experiences.
The "right time" for a shunt is when you and your doctor decide. If your symptoms have increased significantly over time, you will likely need surgery at some point. I would definitely get another opinion (which anyone with a condition that can require surgery should do), explain how you feel (physically and emotionally) about the surgery, and see if it can be done before you completely deteriorate.
I'm also concerned that your hydro may not be NPH, as the symptoms don't match, but adult-onset obstructive. I would be sure to ask about this, too.
Good luck, and please let us know!
LIZ in RI, 42 (today!! ), hydro since birth, along with controlled epilepsy and endo goodies
**Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor and don't play one on TV, but I am a lifelong patient who reads everything and isn't afraid to get multiple opinions, especially if my life depends on it!**
Mary...I was wondering how you were getting along. I know your doctor appt. is coming up soon.
I remember when I was finally diagnosed with hydro...it seems that all the symptoms flared up at once. Initially it was double vision, but when I got results of CT scan, I started feeling every symptom of hydro that there is! Didn't know how sick I really was, and I think some of those symptoms had been cropping up for a while, but it all came together with the diagnosis. It was like..."yes I have been having some headaches but ignored it." And pressure, nausea, but thought they might be related to something else.
Good luck, keep us posted.
who thinks it is injustice to have bad headaches, have their neurosurgeon have their MRI results back from two days ago, but have to wait three weeks to be seen? I have to, if there is no other option. My headaches hurt all the time, as I have stated, unless sleeping for awhile, doing activity for awhile, or eating for awhile. Even HOT SHOWERS now hurt my shunt valve! Ugh! Take the poll and keep me in your prayers!
...you should have to wait THREE WEEKS to get your MRI results!!!!!!!! An appointment? Yeah, I might see that in some cases, but waiting that long to get results is inexcusable!!!!!!
I DID get my MRI results back with some hard pushing on my end...
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Thank goodness I don't need surgery, but it doesn't explain my pain activity of last night; my first sleepless night in weeks due to head pressure pain. I still see my nsg on 11/19, but I hope an adjustment can help this situation, does anyone think it can? My head tingles alot and my surgeon wants me to see my headache specialist again to consider other options if my surgeon can't help. Let me know if this has happened to you, because I don't want to find out that my 2.0 setting is really like it is working at a 1.5 setting or something, even though I was told surgery is NOT going to happen. My head does hurt bad, so I can't wait for this to resolve. Again keep me in your prayers.
Re: I DID get my MRI results back with some hard pushing on my end...
by Susan
I guess I'm confused. My programmable shunt is set at 140, and you refer to settings of 1.5 and 2.0. Are some shunts' settings different? Mine is Codman Hakmin programmable.
By the way, Monica and Joy, I canceled my appt. with Dr. M in Charlotte. After my neurosurgeon set mine at 140, I've done a lot better. Even walking a couple miles a day (most days). Funny what a change of just 10 can do.
nuro surgons say 140. nurologist say 1.4 same setting just a different way of saying it. at least that what my nurologist told me. they started me at 150 headaches like you wouldn't believe. i'm now down to 50 and rareley have them. ask your nuro
Why does does hurt so much when you know the person is in heavam? Why does it seem so final when you know you will see them again?
I got back from Ohio on Sunday. I did not go my grandma's viewing but I saw her body at the funeral. She looked like she was at piece. He body is no longer riddled with Congestive Heart Failure and arthritis. She know longer needs Oxyegen.
I was close to her. When I was in Ohio I lived in the same complex. I would go her apartment every day. She would call me if I did not go to her apartment and make sure I was OK. A coule of times she would allow me to spend the night with her when there were tornadoes in the area and when my neighbor upset me to the point of me having a panic attack.
I'm so sorry, hon'. I know what you mean about death. I think a lot of it is the intellectual understanding of its finality and knowing that it'll be a long time (likely) before we see our departed loved ones. All you can do is lean on your faith and grieve any way it takes for you to be able to feel the comfort of knowing that her suffering is over.
and give migraines? It did for the first time yesterday. I had my 3rd MRI of my head this year done yesterday, the last since February. My headaches have become so severe that Imitrex doesn't help, and I'm not sure if my increase in Topamx does either. The only things that settle it down are eating for a long time, sleeping for a long time, or being very "active" for a long time. Anything else, including first sitting up in the morning, can give horrible pain that reminds me of shunt failure but without the dizziness, vomiting, or fever. The main symptom here is pain in the forehead, back of neck and over my shunt valve in the back right end of my head. I can't live like this day to day, and for those who know programmable shunts it is set at 2.0. I already know 2.5 is the highest setting, which was too high for me at one time, so all my surgeon can do is go down? I don't know if that will help. Surgery perhaps? Everyone please pray for me because I cry too much over this. Thanks.
as of January of next year the VIP hydro site is going to have to shut down because the MSN groups will no longer be available. We need a home. Laura M. has said something about freelists.org, will it be worth a shot to try
My name is Dan. I am 37 years old and have had Hydrocephalus since I was 18 months of age. My wife and I have a beautiful almost 3 year old daughter, and I have been trying to get my wife pregnant again for over a year. Last summer I was in the hospital for a month and a half for a shunt malfunction but there is no clear cut time when the shunt started to break down so we think because of my behavior at the time that it was starting to break down 3-4 months before I went in the hospital. Does anyone on this list know of any studies linking shunt malfunction to low sperm count or can give me the name of a resource to guide me in the right direction?
I have a 92 year old distant relative who has been diagnosed with adult-onset hydrocephalus. He had a shunt inserted two weeks ago but has not improved and is now to be placed in a high care nursing facility since he is incontinent ,has poor memory and cannot walk without a frame. The hospital says that he cannot be rehabilitated any further. What can we do to help him? What might we expect to happen to him in the next few months and years?
I have a 92 year old distant relative who has been diagnosed with adult-onset hydrocephalus. He had a shunt inserted two weeks ago but has not improved and is now to be placed in a high care nursing facility since he is incontinent ,has poor memory and cannot walk without a frame. The hospital says that he cannot be rehabilitated any further. What can we do to help him? What might we expect to happen to him in the next few months and years?
