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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Marijuana Cause Any Problem With Hydrocephalus And Shunt?

My boyfriend was born with Hydrocephalus and has a Shunt in the back of his head to drain the fluid. He also has his old shunt in there from when he was born(he is now 26) that no longer works because the doctors were unable to take it out due to the tissue buildup around the shunt. My boyfriend gets a lot of painful headaches from having this condition and to help cope he smokes a lot of weed and I am concerned on how that affects his shunt and over all health. So my question is how does smoking Marijuana affect his health and his shunt? Is it harmful?
Mon, 3 Nov 2014
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Neurologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.

In my opinion if shunt does not work and your bf is well beside the headache it means that the Cerebrospinal fluid somehow has found a way to get absorbed.

Headache has many causes and if there is no hydrocephalus (which probably your doctor has seen in the CT) you should not worry.

As for marijuana there are several reports on it that it is no harmful than tabacoo, while a few others stating that it causes some neurotoxicity which can be releated to some degree of the headache though in my opinion needs further studis to ascertain it.

Still, I would definitly exclude any link of marijuana with hydrocephalus.

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing your friend good health.
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Can Marijuana Cause Any Problem With Hydrocephalus And Shunt?

Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. In my opinion if shunt does not work and your bf is well beside the headache it means that the Cerebrospinal fluid somehow has found a way to get absorbed. Headache has many causes and if there is no hydrocephalus (which probably your doctor has seen in the CT) you should not worry. As for marijuana there are several reports on it that it is no harmful than tabacoo, while a few others stating that it causes some neurotoxicity which can be releated to some degree of the headache though in my opinion needs further studis to ascertain it. Still, I would definitly exclude any link of marijuana with hydrocephalus. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions. Wishing your friend good health.