Health knowledge made personal
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How do you explain the condition to somebody else who has no idea how debilitating this condition can be? My example goes like this: It is kinda like when you have a bad case of indigestion. Gas starts to build up in the stomach, causing pain. The pressure continues to build up in the distressed stomach, finally relieved with a belch or a “farinaceous abdomen radiate tension” (f.a.r.t. for short =-0). But when the pressure is in skull, there is no "release valve" if there is a blockage of the CSF in the brain. Many times, this is the case when a brain tumor has closed up the ventricles. Surgery in most cases is the common treatment. When the tumor is resected, the ventricles are again clear allowing the CFS to flow at normal pressures. It will take some time for the swelling to go down . In that time, the doctor may prescribe steroids. Because of the side effects, steroids should be used only in a short period of time. There are cases where the patient will still have the symptoms even after surgery. In my case, all of the necrotic matter had accumulated into the ventricles. A spinal tap was used to relieve some of the pressure. But it would only lessen the pressure temporarily. After four spinal taps, a spinal drain was inserted. That allowed most of the "junk" to drain. As the fluid changed from an apple cider appearance to a clear liquid, the drain was removed and a lower lumbar shunt was installed. It was the best I had felt in years! It didn't hurt bending over or going up steps. Again I could pick up my grandchildren without pain! At least not a tremendous headache for a while… But the ordeal was not over. Now I had major pain in my stomach. Every breath I took there was pain. Too often, shunts need to be revised. Instead of going through a revision, I opt to have the doctor just go ahead and remove the shunt completely. It did its job as in lowered my CSF from outstanding pain to tolerable pain! Like many of you, I have good days and bad days. Appreciate the good ones! George is world known as a long-term brain tumor survivor, being diagnosed in 1967 with an astrocytoma. He went on to have 11 more brain tumors in over 44 years, along with two other cancers. He now has another tumor, although it is a different type. He now has a meningioma caused by radiation. He is the founder president of WNC Brain Tumor Support in Asheville, North Carolina and is also a member of the Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center Regional Advisory Board Winston-Salem, North Carolina. You can view his website which is: Personal website: www.braintumorsurvivor.webs.com Organization: www.wncbraintumor.net INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE (IICP) Some patients with brain tumors develop increased intracranial pressure. IICP occurs for several reasons: · An increase in the mass within the rigid bones of the skull because of tumor growth · Blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) · Swelling of the tissue around the tumor due to the accumulation of fluid (edema) When a tumor blocks the normal flow of CSF within the brain, hydrocephalus occurs. Hydrocephalus causes increased pressure within the skull, and the increased pressure damages the delicate structures of the brain. Symptoms of IICP are: · Headache usually just after waking and lessening as the day goes on · Vomiting usually just after waking, with or without nausea · Mental changes, often sluggishness or drowsiness · Uncoordinated, clumsy movements · Seizures |
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Hydrocephalus: a condition of excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. Hydrocephalus may cause increased intracranial pressure inside the skull. The IICP could cause cognitive impairment and eventually if progressive, stupor and coma. Hydrocephalus is usually due to blockage of CSF outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachnoid space over the brain. It may occur after a brain infection (meningitis), brain hemorrhage or from a tumor compressing the ventricular system. Treatment is often by placing of a shunt. (ABTA)