Glen,

I recently spoke to our new pain mgmt. doc. on the phone and he gave
me EXCELLENT advice about shunts and all. He said to do the research
online- find out who manufactures the programmable shunts. Then...
contact the manufacturer- they will tell you who in your area is
trained and uses that type of shunt. If there isn't anyone in the
area- the manufacturer will probably come to the NS- and will go into
the OR with the NS- training them on placement and how to put it in.
I didn't realize that's how it works- but he says that when they have
a new pain pump- that's what happens- they are in the OR with him,
training him on placement and everything about it (which I assume as
a doctor is what you want to calm your nerves about something you've
never done). So, I thought that was excellent info. Now you just
have to find the manufacturer, and I'm sure you can do that with some
time spent searching online.

Hope that helps.

Leslie






--- In ptc@yahoogroups.com, chdblwinnr@... wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I need a favor from my friends out there with programmable LP
shunts. If
> anybody who has or has had one would respond to this post with the
type of shunt
> used and the name (address and phone # of their practice would be
great) of
> their neurosurgeon it would be greatly appreciated. I live in Grand
Rapids, MI
> and, although the quality of medical care is better here than
anyplace in the
> U.S. I have seen, none of the neurosurgeons in western Michigan has
ever placed
> or heard of a programmable LP shunt. I finally have a neurosurgeon
who will
> work with me on this but he is truly in the dark when it comes to
off-label uses
> for shunt equipment.
>
> I appreciate your responses and I hope you all have a great
Thanksgiving
> holiday.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Glen =)
>
>
>
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>