Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Course Of Action Should Be Followed For Patient With Hydrocephalus And Delusions?
50 year old brother is learning disabled, diagnosed with hydrocephalus around age 28, shunt inserted and all has been relatively fine. Last week week started having severe delusions with no obvious cause. Only medication is a low dose of depakote for anxiety, ocuvite, vit d and multivitamin. Recently quit metformin after losing 80 lbs and blood sugars returned to normal range. Curious what course of action to follow next and what kind of specialist to pursue -- neuro?psych?
Mon, 27 Jan 2014
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
As your brother has had a neurological problem (hydrocephalus) in the past, and has a shunt inserted for that, it would be better to see a neurologist first.
If the shunt is working fine, then, we need to look at alternative causes such as electrolyte imbalance (low sodium, etc), deranged liver function tests, high creatinine, etc. These can be checked with blood tests.
If these are normal, he may be shown to a psychiatrist.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Thank you for posting your query.
As your brother has had a neurological problem (hydrocephalus) in the past, and has a shunt inserted for that, it would be better to see a neurologist first.
If the shunt is working fine, then, we need to look at alternative causes such as electrolyte imbalance (low sodium, etc), deranged liver function tests, high creatinine, etc. These can be checked with blood tests.
If these are normal, he may be shown to a psychiatrist.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Multivitamin
Loading Online Doctors....