Hydrocephalus

[Roseffie]

Has any one with fibro/ME had hydrocephalus? I have been diagnosed with NPH and am wondering if there is a connection as brain matter can shrink with fibro I believe. The ventricles then open and fill with fluid.

[Hidden]

Hello Roseffie, anything "cephalic" is brain issue.. I have not been told brain matter shrinks with fibro but it could be why so many of us get fibro fog or foggy brain! ME is deffo brain related too.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

I have never heard of brain matter shrinking with fibro that's a new one for me.

[TheAuthor]

Hi Roseffie

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

As far as I am aware there is no connection between Hydrocephalus and Fibro. However, there are studies coming out whereby a link is now being presented between Fibro and the loss of grey matter. I have pasted an excerpt below from the [n]*Journal of Neuroscience website:

*Using voxel-based morphometric analysis of magnetic resonance brain images, we examined the brains of 10 female fibromyalgia patients and 10 healthy controls. We found that fibromyalgia patients had significantly less total gray matter volume and showed a 3.3 times greater age-associated decrease in gray matter than healthy controls. The longer the individuals had had fibromyalgia, the greater the gray matter loss, with each year of fibromyalgia being equivalent to 9.5 times the loss in normal aging. In addition, fibromyalgia patients demonstrated significantly less gray matter density than healthy controls in several brain regions, including the cingulate, insular and medial frontal cortices, and parahippocampal gyri. The neuroanatomical changes that we see in fibromyalgia patients contribute additional evidence of CNS involvement in fibromyalgia. In particular, fibromyalgia appears to be associated with an acceleration of age-related changes in the very substance of the brain. Moreover, the regions in which we demonstrate objective changes may be functionally linked to core features of the disorder including affective disturbances and chronic widespread pain.

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[shaunmcg]

hi. I had fibromyalgia around 2012 after divorce. 3 years ago was attacked and for head injury. Shunt fitted last year. All working well but I have frontal lobe damage and "Executive Dysfunction " so not sure if there is a connection. I've been using self hypnosis for the last year for fibromyalgia. They have rally helped. If you want copy let me know. Stay happy 😁 X

[Roseffie in reply to shaunmcg]

Interesting, thank you

[Sambrainboy]

I have had Hydrocaphalus for 47 years, having undergone my sixth brain operation last year. I have had fibro since 2011 after a back operation.

[Jannamarie]

I just had NPH operation this past week. Not easy but did take care of urgent urination, leg weakness and significant brain fog. While not diagnosed in conjunction with fibromyalgia I have had Fibro since my teens and am now 66 years old. I believe the neurologist and neurosurgeon believe my NPH is idiopathic. However it seems to me that more research needs to be done to see if there is a connection. Be aware that after the brain surgery and placement of a shunt the aftercare is only Tylenol which in my opinion does not control the pain afterward. In my opinion Tylenol does not help for normal fibromyalgia. Unfortunately you have to be off aspirin for two weeks before and two weeks after the operation which is difficult when that is a significant part of your fibromyalgia pain regime. In that case I would expect some opiate replacement until aspirin can be resumed. My doc would not prescribe and pain is significant. However, the procedure is worth it to return you to a much better quality of life. I hope this helps.

[Thommo101]

Hi Roseffie, I too have both Hydrocephalus and Fibromyalgia. The Fibromyalgia was present since my late teens but not diagnosed until 30 years later and I was diagnosed with NPH and shunted in 2012 at the age of 52!