Programmable shunts should beep or something

[canadianlistener]

I've only had a programmable shunt with anti-siphon since Monday but I must say I feel a whole lot better than I was. Going from underdraining due to a disconnected shunt to overdraining due to an overly excited shunt really messed with my brain.

One thing I would like to see on these things is them beep when the setting of the shunt is beyond what the brain can handle, kinda like what happens for patients with a heart defibrilator/pacemaker as my sister has. Whenever her thing gets deprogrammed or her heart decides to race uncontrollably, the thing will start beeping meaning she needs to get to the doctor to get it checked.

Just a thought for Johnson & Johnson's and the other manufacturers of these programmables.

Rob

[Jordan]

Glad you're feeling better! Now that's a good idea....an inbuilt beeping warning device! And it could actually just be a little fun...imagine if you sat next to someone on a bus and their head started beeping...! :D

[Braindrain]

All shunts should beep or give some other indication that they are on their
"last legs". That way, you can get to the NS and have it taken care of right
away-instead of having it fail and waiting for hours for the NS to figure it out
because your scans are "normal".:rolleyes: :mad:

[KathiDG]

It would also be great to have them beep when going out in the sense that if your last NSG retired several years before and you're seeing someone new who hasn't been through a malfunctioning shunt with you, the new guy won't have to 2nd guess what the problem is....he'll know based on the beeping/buzzing, whatever the shunt does to signify "I'm outta here..."

It would be great if the programmables did that if they somehow ended up on the wrong setting too...save a lot of $$ on diagnostic testing...that's for sure....

Hmmm...maybe that's why someone HASN"T come up with a way to do that....

[monicad1974]

Rob,
I was just wondering if you had a programmable shunt before monday? Was the other shunt faulty for the reason you had your revision with your antisyphon? Not sure if you saw my post I had an anti-syphon added to my current shunt several weeks ago. I'm still having adjustment issues. I saw you are in Canada. I have known a few people from there and was wondering how with everyone having universal medical coverage how long you have to wait to see a doctor with hydro. My friends husband had stage 4 cancer and had to wait 6 months to get a MRI, 4 months to to test it then another 3 months for surgery. He said you don't get to choose your doctor. So if a better doctor is at hospital you have to take what you get. He looked into comming to the U.S, and just pay out of pocket. But if he hasd Canada doctors would not see him any longer. His wife has moved back here since he past. I changed my nsg 3 times in 2 years because they were letting me die. Are you able to get second openions? The ASD I have is from Germany my doctor had not hasd much luck with many and finally in the past 2 years been using this one with good results. I also have a codman VA . I am interested in ya'll medical care sorry if I've ask too personal questions. Your universal medical care kinda scares me. Medical care is going to be addressed in our next president's election and I am wondering if this will be one considerered for us. Thanks for amusing me. Sorry so nosey.

[canadianlistener]

Hey Monica,

This is my first programmable shunt. My neurosurgeon had talked of putting one in me for a couple of years but he didn't feel they were reliable enough and wasn't comfortable with them.

I don't know if it's the fact my case is complicated with the slit-vents and all, but I don't have to wait very long to see the neuro. He ALWAYS squeezes me in once he realizes the seriousness of the situation which I make sure to make known very quickly. Usually I can see him with a few days of calling.

And as far as medical tests go (CT scans, MRIs), those are also done quickly. Right now I am so radioactive from all the x-rays, CTs, and MRIs. And all of these have been ordered by the neurosurgeon. In my case, as I've said before, sometimes it's good to have the chief of staff as your neurosurgeon.

Now as far as other specialists, I have to play the waiting game just like everyone else. It was the reason why a diseased gall bladder infected my VP shunt in 2001. I had to wait 5 years for the doctor to listen, and even then it didn't turn out very well.

Second opinions aren't looked on very favorably in Canada. If you get the referral to a specialist from your GP you are doing good. And because a lot of the specialists are leaving Canada for the U.S. a second opinion isn't always available. I know in my case, with my neurosurgeon, he always has the other neurosurgeons in the office look at my case and give an opinion. So without even asking I end up with the opinon of 4 neuros. It just depends on the doctor's personality. Most are good about it but there are some that think they are God and they are the only one who can help, even when they can't.

One key I do find to getting things done is bugging the life out of the doctor. If I hadn't been persistant and kept calling the office they would have just considered me an annoyance (which they did at first).

If I have one thing to say, it's keep at it. You will get the help you need. Don't wait for the docs to contact you 'cause more than likely they won't.

I've been keeping up with the U.S. election coverage since Can-American (half Canadian, half American) and I know for certain I wouldn't be here today if I lived in the U.S. Yes Canada's health care system has its flaws (I've seen most of them) but any system has its problems.

[monicad1974]

Rob I guess I have the fear of just not knowing enough about your system. Your doctors are comming here because they can charge and make an unlimited amount without being taxed 50% of their profits. If you notice Canada does not have the poverty level we do. Like your doctors all make a set salary. So their is no incentive to be a specialist. Here doctors want the extra money. I have found a nsg right now that is in it for his patients. But you can tell the ones that have the waiting room over run with 3 people with the same timed apt. and end up telling you nothing is wrong and charging your medical $200.00 to tell you that.

[Austinsmom]

The more bells and whistles on a shunt the more can go wrong, like a false alarm, that could suck, now something hand held to check yourself for pressure that would be good
I hope you are feeling better
love to you
Deborah

[KathiDG]

You mean like having a magnetic shunt adjustment thingy that we can actually take home with us after surgeries?? :D

[monicad1974]

I think they could do the take home adjustment but I know when the adjustment did not settle down when I or any of us wanted we would or could adjust too soon or too much. It I had not had a faulty shunt in at the time I would have had major brain bleeds as much as the shunt was moved around I had from Duke. It was never tested just wait 2 weeks and do an adjustment. I had never heard of progeammable shunts I thought there was still a magic number.