Thanks Joel for your email. Yes, they are very annoying (and painful
at times) yet I have continued to go about my life. I've always had
headaches somewhat - and I'm not sure if I've just paid more attention
to them since my last revision 2 years ago (I had 2 within a 3 week
span) or if they've gotten worse in terms of migraine symptoms. The
last time I was at the neurologist he said that i was suffering from
chronic headaches with the key of trying to make me more comfortable -
which some days I don't find easy.
I have had a total of 7 revisions since my shunt was first placed when
I was 3 weeks old... I have had 1 infection - which was why of all my
revisions i had 4 within a year and a half span. Still, I've managed
to graduate college, graduate school and now work full time.

Elana

--- In hydrocephalus@yahoogroups.com, "Joel Hug" <joel@...> wrote:
>
> Elana,
>
> I sympathize with your migraines. I had one that lasted for almost 4
years when God
> healed them one night almost 3 years ago. Without knowing your
beliefs, can I pray for
> your healing? I have congenital hydro and went through 3 surgeries
during a 2 year period
> while I had the migraines.
>
> Joel
>
> --- In hydrocephalus@yahoogroups.com, "elana_schwartz"
<elana_schwartz@> wrote:
> >
> > Sorry guys but i decided for once I need to vent ....
> >
> > I've had such a hard 3 weeks with really bad headaches - where I've
> > had periods at work where I've had a hard time concentrating. After
> > seeing my neurologist yesterday he decided to increase the Neurontin i
> > am taking as a "preventative" medication to try and cut the cycle of
> > getting these really bad headaches on a daily basis. These headaches
> > had gotten so bad that i left work 2 hours early one day and took off
> > another day. Luckily, they are really understanding at my new job and
> > my chief of staff actually know a bit about hydrocephalus and shunts
> > when i told her.
> >
> > My appointment at the neurologist yesterday, made me feel a little
> > better in that he said that my shunt seems to me working and the key
> > is to try and minimize my headache pain... but he does feel that the
> > chronic headaches are related to the hydrocephalus but you don't
> > always want to play with the shunt he said (unless it's clogged or
> > malfunctioning). In the meantime, we've increased my headache pills
> > as i said before and i go back for a follow up in 6 weeks and have to
> > get a dreaded MRI again beforehand (just to make sure that the fluid
> > in my neck is no longer congested).
> >
> > Still i hate the headaches and they have kinda put a damper on my mood
> > and willingness to be as active (when these headache hit)
> >
> > Thanks for the vent!
> > Elana
> >
>