Seeking Moms About What They Know on Excessive Brain Fluid.

I haven't dealt with this personally, but my cousin's son was born hydrocephalic and a shunt was inserted that drains the excess fluid from the brain to his stomach for it to be absorbed. Chase is now 6 years old, and to my knowledge hasn't had any problem with the shunt.

Check out hydrocyphalis. Not sure if that is correct spelling..Not sure if it is even close to what might be happening to your daughter. I have recently found out that doctors are misdiagnosing Alzheimers for hydrocyphalis. It is water on the brain, and can be drained to have patients return to just about normal. Not sure if it is primarily older people or not. Good Luck

Was she diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri? That is what I have. My body produces too much spinal fluid and it causes pressure in my head. It causes headaches like you would have with a brain tumor. If you look up PTC or Pseudotumor Cerebri there is information out there and support groups. Please have her email me if she would like to talk or find out more information about what I have gone through. I decided against a shunt because of all the horror stories I have heard. I tried so many medications that did not work and I have learned to deal with it for the most part. I do not work and don't know if I would be able to hold a job down. I have 5 children so I know what it is like trying to deal with family when having one of these headaches. It is very hard. I will be praying for her and please email me if you or her would like to talk.

K.

I have a 23 yr old neice that has a condition called pseudotumor cerebri. She was also suffering from migraines and after being seen in the emergency room it was found that she had excess spinal fluid. She had two spinal taps which relieved the pressure temporarily but the fluid would replenish and cause the pressure again. She eventually had a shunt placed and has had no problems since then.Her physician thought the entire episode may have been triggered by a virus. God bless you and good luck to you and your family.

Typically they will place a shunt to drain the fluid. I've never personally dealt with it but have read many journals regarding. Take a look at webmd.com love the site and can break down really difficult things into lamens terms. Will keep her in our prayers and take care.

My BIL was dx when he was 16. He spent all of his childhood with a severe headache. His doctors almost said school-itis. When they moved to NC he was dx. He had 2 shunts put in. He has had to have them replaced twice in the last 23 years. He has never shown any negative effects. He has 3 children, his first grandchild is due this week, does power lifting 3 days a week and drinks coffee like a fish swims in water. I am not sure where your daughter lives, just make sure she is comfortable with her doctor. My BIL lives in W-S, NC.

Good luck to her!

I am so sorry she's been having such a hard time. My biggest suggestion is to encourage her to get a second opinion. My mother was diagnosed with the same condition after months of visiting sinus specialists because of vertigo. She had the shunt placed in early March and is worse off now than she was. She can barely walk and hasn't left the house in months (except to go to the doctor). She can't even drive. When she went back to the Neurosurgeon who did her surgery, he suggested that she go to a sinus specialist! She's back to square one and no one seems concerned...they all just refer her to someone else. The surgery seems to have been pointless, and she has had constant pain in her abdomen which she is assuming is from the tubing of the shunt. I certainly pray that your daughter has better success.

Hi V., I am praying for your daughter! My father-in-law, which we care for,has been diagnosed as well. From what I can understand from his drs, if we has found it early enough, all of the symptoms could be reversed completly! His problems are more with his gait. He walks more like a toddler and bumps into walls. His balance is off. My sister in law which has been an RN for years told me about a pt. of hers that within hours she was completly symptom free. With my father in law they did a lumbar puncture like a spinal tap I guess and pulled a large amount of fluid that way to see of it was going to help him. Unfortunatly it had been there for years and no one knew it. If it had made a difference they were going to put in a shunt at the back of his neck. The dr explained it to me as like a flood gate that opens and closes when needed but sometimes it quits working and they have to provide the fluid with an open port to exit the brain as it naturally would. It is a pretty basic procedure for the drs these days. I know it isn't when its your that we are talking about, but just have faith, she will be fine! I wish we had caught his earlier. The pull of fluid has helped him alot but not enought to convinve neurology to put a shunt in a 73 yr old man with dementia. Hope this helps. God Bless you and your family!

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm

What are the symptoms of a Chiari malformation?

Many persons with a Type I CM do not have symptoms and may not know they have the condition. Patients with other CM types may complain of neck pain, balance problems, muscle weakness, numbness or other abnormal feelings in the arms or legs, dizziness, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, ringing or buzzing in the ears, hearing loss, vomiting, insomnia, depression, or headache made worse by coughing or straining. Hand coordination and fine motor skills may be affected. Symptoms may change for some patients, depending on the buildup of CSF and resulting pressure on the tissues and nerves. Adolescents and adults who have CM but no symptoms initially may, later in life, develop signs of the disorder. Infants may have symptoms from any type of CM and may have difficulty swallowing, irritability when being fed, excessive drooling, a weak cry, gagging or vomiting, arm weakness, a stiff neck, breathing problems, developmental delays, and an inability to gain weight.
top
Are other conditions associated with Chiari malformations?

Individuals who have a CM often have these related conditions:

Hydrocephalus is an excessive buildup of CSF in the brain. A CM can block the normal flow of this fluid, resulting in pressure within the head that can cause mental defects and/or an enlarged or misshapen skull. Severe hydrocephalus, if left untreated, can be fatal. The disorder can occur with any type of CM, but is most commonly associated with Type II.

My husband and I were confronted with intense health issues, for which there was no known cure. During our 12 yr search, we were led to Upper Cervical doctors. Since 1997 we've met thousands who've had their life changed and health altered for the better. There are stories about similar occurences shared on the movie "The Power of Upper Cervical." I believe this is your answer for your daughter.

PLEASE take time to read the stories for others who found that having their atlas set correctly would relieve the pressure and rid their headaches. Even fluid has been found to drain and reverse when the brain stem has the nerve pressure removed through Upper Cervical corrections. Testimonies are on the Link page of upperCervicaladvocates.com
Bless you and your daughter!
You can add her to our prayer Blog at ICServants.ning.com if you'd like.
R.