Hello. My best friend was born 18 yrs ago and when she was 2 weeks old she had to have a shunt put in her head to help drain fluid to her stomach. Now that she's almost 19 the shunt seems to be causing a lot of pressure on her head and just giving her such bad headaches... and even blurred vision some. The doctors are thinking that she's out grown her shunt and are wanting to replace it with another one. I was just wondering that since it's been in her head since she was 2 weeks old... some swollen vessel and possible fluid leaking I am just afraid that I am going to lose her. The surgery takes an hour they said... but I mean there is also all that scar tissue that's built up over 18 yrs. If anyone has any insight please let me know. Please keep her & her family in your prayers. She is an amazing woman.
Thanks everyone.

It is very common to outgrow a shunt. This happens all the time and it is not unusual to have to replace the shut as the person outgrows the one placed originally. As a matter of fact, she is VERY lucky she has not had to have it replaced before now.

Thank you :)