Living with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

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Diagnosed at age 39
by: mp327 on Mon, Jan 26 2009

I am a 55 year old female who was diagnosed with NPH at age 39. After the usual diagnostics, I was shunted in 12/93. I have had the same shunt since that time, with no problems.

My symptoms prior to surgery were the usual for NPH–headaches, nausea, visual problems, urinary frequency, numbness and tingling in extremities, cognitive difficulties/memory problems. My physician felt migraines were the cause, but ordered a CT to rule out any other causes. Hydrocephalus was the diagnosis–the worst case the first neurosurgeon I saw had ever seen. He refused to help me. After several other consults, additional CT’s, MRI’s, EEG, it was felt that a shunt was the only option. Luckily, one of my doctors was very experienced with NPH and saw no problems with shunt surgery.

I now live a completely normal life. I am a runner, weight lifter, do volunteer work and am a very active person. I have been symptom-free and have felt that the shunt saved my life.

Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with anal cancer in June 2008, so that has been my latest health challenge. I received chemo and radiation for 6 weeks, and right now my cancer is in remission.

For anyone out there getting a diagnosis of hydrocephalus, please get as much information as you can and seek the best medical care available to you. This is a disease that you can live with if treated properly.

Martha

Comment on this

Comments

Fri, Sep 25 2009
P Cheeks-- I'm sorry to hear that you have been dealing with these symptoms for awhile, with no help from previous doctors. However, it sounds like ...Read
Thu, Sep 24 2009
Hi Martha, I am 55 and have been diagnosed with NPH.. I have been having trouble walking for quiet a few years now and it seemed to be all in my ima...Read
Fri, Mar 20 2009
Hi Teri-- I'm sorry to hear of your dad's problems. NPH is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Even though an MRI and CT may not have...Read
Thu, Mar 19 2009
Glad to hear the shunt helped you. My Dad was diagnosed with Progressive Supernuclear Palsy, which has a lot of the same symptoms as NPH. He had an ...Read
Tue, Jan 27 2009
I'm sorry to hear that your mother is having these difficulties. From all the reading I've done on hydrocephalus, it is very common for someone to be...Read

January 2009

Diagnosed at age 39 - by mp327 - (Mon, Jan 26 2009)
I am a 55 year old female who was diagnosed with NPH at age 39. [more..]
I think my Father has NPH - by Bonnie needing help in Canada - (Wed, Jan 21 2009)
My Dad lives in Ottawa Ontario Canada. He has all the typical symptoms of NPH …the gait/shuffle, the mild memory problems and the lil accidents. [more..]

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