NPH

[Cindyross]

Has anyone heard of nph normal pressure hydrocephalus they are saying that 15,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s or Dementia and have NPH.

[Xenos]

I have a close friend who was diagnosed with PD and was given L-Dopa for 3 years and had multiple visits to his neurologist, never changing his mind. He was so bad that he wanted to take his own life.

I remember telling him to first take another advice before such a decision. He finally went to France, took appointment in a large specialized center. They kept him for over a week.

He was then told that he had NPH, not PD.

To make a long story short, he had a simple surgery to install a valve through his skull.

When he came back, he was looking 20 years younger.

I told the story to a neurologist. She answered me that it was impossible. "The symptoms are so different !" she said. Go figure.

[Despe in reply to Xenos]

Xenos,

A CT scan can diagnose NPH. Husband had it and was negative.

[Cindyross in reply to Xenos]

Thanks so much

[Cindyross in reply to Xenos]

Fingers crossed this is what I have

[Junie- in reply to Xenos]

I am currently resting after surgery for NPH. I had a Ventricular Peritoneal shunt fitted 4 weeks ago.

My main symptoms were balance /gait and urinary urgency and the prognosis of the symptoms worsening. The confirmation of diagnosis was made by MRI scan and lumbar drain / lumbar punctures. The shunt is programmed to drain a fixed amount of CSF daily and can be adjusted by a Neurosurgeon externally. Following surgery, my symptoms have not improved and I return to hospital in another five weeks where I will hopefully have an adjustment to my shunt which will resolve the issue. Would be interested to know if anybody else in a similar position to me.

[Suet3942 in reply to Junie-]

my husband had a shunt inserted 2 weeks ago and his improved gait is fluctuating day to day. We see the surgeon in 6 weeks abd I’m keeping a diary to show the surgeon. I must admit we thought the improvement would be better.

[laglag]

My dad had the valve put in & it did not help so I don't think he had it. But the friend that told me about it had a good experience. Her dad's doctors thought he had PD for several yrs & then they thought it was NPH so they put in the valve & he was a new man. NPH is mostly about gait.

[Cindyross in reply to laglag]

Thanks

[laglag]

It is called a shunt rather than a valve. How are you doing since your shunt was put in? My dad's problem ended up being in his neck. They did surgery & he's doing much better.