Hi everyone. So my mom is almost 6 months out, and last Thursday she had a CT scan, which come to find out revealed she had significant hydrocephalus around her brain. I know this was a concern a month after her coiling, but the doctors wanted to give her body a chance to correct it on its own. Three months after, her doctor told me it had totally cleared up. She’s had monthly CT scans ever since, and everything was ok, nothing brought to my attention. I asked her neurosurgeon yesterday if it was normal for the fluid to build up again even after her body was maintaining it for some time, and he didn’t answer me a yes exactly? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about this? I googled it, but I was kinda hoping for your personal experiences! Thank you in advance! It just seems to me this could have been caught sooner… Or maybe it did come back but why…
Hi Chris,
My mom had hydrocephalus the first month after the rupture and they put a shunt to drain the fluid. Three months later when she got another CT scan, the doctor said there's still some so they adjusted the pressure (not sure the correct; the shunt mom got can be remotely controlled) to drain the fluid again. Family member asked the doctor why it was not caught earlier, he said it depends. He said Some patients only need to do it once while others need to adjust. The good thing is every time after the hydrocephalus was clear, she looks more conscious. Hope it helps.
Sue may I ask how long after they placed the shunt, did you start recovering? My mom had surgery Tuesday morning, and she’s trying to talk a little, but isn’t very responsive yet. I mean she wakes up and looks at is, smiles and such but hasn’t nodded yes or no to our questions… I know I need to give her time, and it doesn’t help she has a low grade fever which the doctors don’t seem too concerned about, ugh I just want her back :(. Thank you for your response!
Hi Emily! How’s your mom doing? That sounds like the same shunt my mom has. The doctor said she would have to come back in a month for another CT scan to see if they need to adjust the pressure. So it sounds like it helped your mom! I truly believe it will help mine too, I just want her to move and recover faster but I know it’s a slow process. Kinda worried about her fever, but I trust the hospital I guess. Please keep me updated on your mom, I always think about how your family’s doing when I get on this site 
Ahh thank you for your prayers! My mom seems to be worse today, but I truly feel that it is that Backifin(?) drug for spasticity that they put her on… They tripled her dose and it knocks her completely out. She can’t keep her eyes open, but I’m assured it’s absolutely needed. I must remember to be patient with her recovery…
Hi Chris,
My mom is doing well. She was off the ventilator 2 days ago. Probably because of that, she seems to be tired. We all need to be patient. I am sure the shunt will help your mom. One step at a time. =)
Well it’s been almost 2 weeks out and I’m back in the ER. My moms neck is swollen so they sent her back to the hospital. I’ve read over and over the complications from a shunt, but really thought it was going to be ok. I’m praying that there’s a simple solution… I really hope they don’t have to reopen her head up again.
Hi Chris,
I hope everything is ok. Sending prayers to your family.