Post vp shunt surgery

[versa2508]

After going through more vp shunt surgerys and also taking ventriculitis, I have noticed things like my handwriting effected.I was always a very nice neat n tidy handwriter but recently it looks a bit of a mess Anyone any ideas what may be the cause of this ? Also wondering if this has been affected will other things have been affected ?

[Avro]

Hi,I have a VP Shunt, but can you explain what you mean by "...taking ventriculitis"?

Mark

[versa2508 in reply to Avro]

Ventriculitis is a brain infection mate

[Avro in reply to versa2508]

You said that you were also taking ventriculitis, that's what didn't make sense to me.

[versa2508 in reply to Avro]

Sorry mate , I had unfortunately taken ventriculitis while going through a more recent operation.Never been floored as hard in my life.

[Avro]

I know that hydrocephalus can and has in my case degraded my motor skills. The same skills you use when writing, so I can see how your handwriting would be affected. I don't handwrite that often, but I notice it as clumsiness when soldering or model making. My hands are not as precise as they were before the hydrocephalus became an issue for me, that and a million and one other things.

[versa2508 in reply to Avro]

What exactly is meant by motor skills ? I've been through a lot of these operations.This is the first time I've noticed any affect to my handwriting etc.

[Avro in reply to versa2508]

Your brain has two key functions. Neuropsychological and physical control of your body & body functions. So memory, working things out in your head etc is the Neuropsychological bit and controlling your limbs and hands etc are motor skills. With your fingers performing fine motor skills. I was an IT Manager and I'm not anymore because my thinking (Neuropsychological) is really slow now and I keep forgetting things (Neuropsychological). My keyboard skills (Motor skills) slowed from fast confident typing to two finger pecking, like I didn't know what I was really doing.

Is your Shunt programmable? If so when was it last adjusted? Also what was the initial cause or reason for the Shunt? Hydrocephalus or a brain injury or stroke?

Mark

[versa2508 in reply to Avro]

Makes lot of sense mate thank you for that.I get the keyboard thing.Aswell as handwriting I've noticed a difference using my phone.Like hand n eye are not working together as well.I initially had a 3rd ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus.This worked OK for around 5 years.I lived a pretty normal life.I also did a college course in computing,before driving HGV lorry's for a few years.Eventually symptoms n headache returned as I think the burr hole closed up.At that point I had my first vp shunt operation.My symptoms were relieved,and I thought that would be that.Within 6 months it broke down.then again withing 6 months.then a year.then 2 year.then I had about 4 year run n thought I'd one in that was going to keep working Unfortunately that broke down and I've had a couple of revisions in recent years.Most recently only a coupla month ago.In late december 2021 I took the ventriculitis during the vp shunt op.This hit very hard and after going through another just a coupla months ago,you can imagine the coupla year I've had.

[versa2508 in reply to Avro]

I don't believe the vp shunt is programmeable

[Avro in reply to versa2508]

Hi,I also often have problems buttoning up shirts, like I'll stop mid way up and get confused. My Neurosurgeon is Mr Edwards at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Where is yours?

Mark