NPH : Has anyone heard of nph normal... - Cure Parkinson's

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NPH

Cindyross profile image
9 Replies

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.

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Cindyross profile image
Cindyross
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9 Replies
Xenos profile image
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 profile image
Despe in reply to Xenos

Xenos,

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

Cindyross profile image
Cindyross in reply to Xenos

Thanks so much

Cindyross profile image
Cindyross in reply to Xenos

Fingers crossed this is what I have

Junie- profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Cindyross in reply to laglag

Thanks

laglag profile image
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.