Headaches

[Barnspops]

SAH five years ago and shunt. Why are my headaches so bad. Shunt on highest setting draining the least csf. but oh the headaches discharged from Addenbrookes so no where to turn

[Pairofboots]

Hi Barns, please contact Addenbrookes regardless of discharge. If you are experiencing pain they should still help you. Also contact your GP, explain how much pain you are experiencing. If you cannot manage your pain, this needs to be addressed.

I wish you well 🍀

[bridgeit]

Hi Barnspops, I agree with Pairofboots that getting in touch with Addenbrooke's neurosurgery is necessary either directly to your consultant's department or through your GP. It doesn't matter that you've been discharged; things can still need adjusting long after discharge.

Two things to bear in mind: high intracranial CSF pressure can cause severe headaches and a range of other deeply unpleasant symptoms. So can low CSF pressure. Low pressure can result in severe headaches, nausea and tremor among other delights. The correct level is highly individual and often operates best within quite a narrow range.

It sounds to me as though you could do with having your csf flow pressure checked and ruled out as a possible cause of your headaches.

Make that call.

[Wazza84]

Hiya Barnspops.

I’m 9 years on since my SAH & shunt fitting & still get headaches.. my GP just says take paracetamol & my neurosurgeon says it’s common to have headaches especially where the shunt is fitted.. sorry to be of no help but you’re not alone with these side-affects… my advice is take paracetamol in morning & keep hydrated with water throughout the day, it seems to help with my headaches but not so much with “shunt ache” 🙄