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Suggest Treatment For Tiredness, Walking Difficulties And Cognitive Decline While Having Hydrocephalus
Question: Hi my name is XXXXXXX In July I had a tumor removed and in September I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and had a shunt put in. The shunt lasted a month and at the end of October first of November it failed and they had to go back in and replace it with another shunt on the opposite side. Now I'm also going thru menopause also. I'm feeling very tired, my hair is falling out in clumps and I have no libdo. Help me know what is part of the surgery and what is part of menopause
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! My name is XXXX and I am a neurologist. I read your question carefully and I am sorry you aren't feeling well.
Hydrocephalus itself can explain tiredness, difficulties walking, cognitive decline. I understand that you have had shunting to address that, but shunting is not a perfect solution. It might have come a little late with some degree of damage being permanent, it can malfunction as it already happened once having to change it (malfunction which might have added some damage on its own) and even now there is not always a perfect balance there is often a certain degree of over or underdraining, that is why shunts have different setting and should be followed by specialists closely. So it can explain the lack of strength. On the other hand though it doesn't explain the hair loss that has no relation to it.
Menopause can be an explanation as it causes hormonal alterations which can lead to hair and libido loss. On the other hand the tumor might play a role as well. You do not mention what type of tumor it was and its location. The brain controls hormone secretion so certain tumors and their surgery might be followed by hormonal deficiencies and cause all those symptoms you mention (fatigue, hair and libido loss). In order to judge that some more info on tumor type and location, as well as surgery and hormonal tests you've had is necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX! My name is XXXX and I am a neurologist. I read your question carefully and I am sorry you aren't feeling well.
Hydrocephalus itself can explain tiredness, difficulties walking, cognitive decline. I understand that you have had shunting to address that, but shunting is not a perfect solution. It might have come a little late with some degree of damage being permanent, it can malfunction as it already happened once having to change it (malfunction which might have added some damage on its own) and even now there is not always a perfect balance there is often a certain degree of over or underdraining, that is why shunts have different setting and should be followed by specialists closely. So it can explain the lack of strength. On the other hand though it doesn't explain the hair loss that has no relation to it.
Menopause can be an explanation as it causes hormonal alterations which can lead to hair and libido loss. On the other hand the tumor might play a role as well. You do not mention what type of tumor it was and its location. The brain controls hormone secretion so certain tumors and their surgery might be followed by hormonal deficiencies and cause all those symptoms you mention (fatigue, hair and libido loss). In order to judge that some more info on tumor type and location, as well as surgery and hormonal tests you've had is necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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