Looking for a neurosurgeon: Hydrocephalus

Posted by rsavidge @rsavidge, Mar 2, 2022

I am looking for a neurosurgeon that will put in a brain shunt for a patient on an aspirin regimen! We understand the possible risks but willing to take for quality of life.

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 3, 2022

@rsavidge Is this request for an adult with normal pressure hydrocephalus? Can you explain more? Also, what the does the patient's current doctor say about neurosurgery?

rsavidge | @rsavidge | Mar 3, 2022

It’s for my father who is 85! We’ve had 2 lumbar punctures and there was marked improvement. Unfortunately because he had a heart attack almost 2 years ago, the cardiology department won’t sign off on stopping the aspirin for the surgery! They did stop his brilenta by mistake for the lumbar punctures and he had no issues! I honestly think it’s a hospital liability issue. I talked to Johns Hopkins today!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 3, 2022

In reply to @rsavidge "It’s for my father who is 85! We’ve had 2 lumbar punctures and there was marked..." + (show)

Thanks for the additional information.
@rsavidge, you can submit an appointment request to Mayo Clinic to inquire what options our neurosurgeon specialists can offer your father. See more information here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

purpleturtle | @purpleturtle | Mar 4, 2022

My Neurosurgeon was Dr. Link in Rochester. He was wonderful and I highly recommend him. You might want to check to see if this is a condition he treats. I had a brain tumor and edema on my brain. He was followed my progress for 3 years .

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 4, 2022

@rsavidge Here is the page on the Mayo website that lists surgeons who treat hydrocephalus. That may be a starting point if you are considering treatment at Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/doctors-departments/ddc-20373611

My father-in-law went through surgery to put a shunt in his brain. It was uneventful and may have helped him, but I can't be sure. He had Alzheimer's and we had to sit with him in the hospital after surgery to keep him from pulling the drains out as he didn't understand why he was there or that he had surgery.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 4, 2022

In reply to @rsavidge "It’s for my father who is 85! We’ve had 2 lumbar punctures and there was marked..." + (show)

@rsavidge Did you talk with a physician at Johns Hopkins about neurosurgery for your father? @colleenyoung, @purpleturtle and @jenniferhunter offered some good suggestions for a doctor and how to ask for an appointment at Mayo Clinic. Will you be seeking an appointment at Hopkins or looking at Mayo Clinic as an option?