Treating NPH

Eloise0304

Has anyone on this forum actually know, personally, if any one had a lumbar puncture to help diagnose NPH, and if so did it relieve some symptoms, such as cognitive and walking? And how did the person feel after the lumbar puncture?

I've been reading that is a relatively rare condition

Callie in Boston

My dad had NPH. He was not diagnosed for many years which was detrimental. He did have the lumbar puncture but it did not show improvement. I insisted he still get the shunt as he had zero chance of any quality of life without it. He did not have dementia tho. Just the NPH. The shunt was easy, 45 min, no reactions. But he did not get better because his PCP for years said it was early alzheimers. The doctor did not recommend he see a neuro. When I insisted it was clear as day (easy to diagnose with MRI). Anyway can't say if it helped because he also had pulmonary fibrosis which is uncurable and shortens your life. It did kill him. If he had alzheimers and NPH, I would not bother to treat the NPH.

WIGO23

My DH was misdiagnosed with NPH before undergoing a lumbar puncture and other testing for ALZ. He had no ill effects at all from the puncture, no pain or even discomfort. Please make yourself aware of the Triad of NPH. If your loved one does not clearly have all three, I advise a second opinion. My husband had only two of the Triad but the neurologist insisted he had NPH. Second opinion at a world class Memory Clinic showed that neurologist was wrong.

Metta

DH was diagnosed with NPH after two lumbar punctures in February. (The first failed because he wouldn’t stay still due to confusion. Had to be sedated for the second.) Spinal fluid test did not support diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and there was immediate improvement in gait and also a better cognitive assessment the following day. So diagnosis supported NPH.

The hospital delirium after the VP shunt surgery in March left him with no PT, in restraints and drugged. That was how he came home by ambulance. I was warned to be prepared for him to be violent. Instead, he was bedridden for a week. He made very slow improvement in gait only. Improvement was steady and lasted from May to August with him able to walk with a walker and sometimes even with a cane. This month he is again barely able to walk in the house and often asks for the wheelchair. Too anxious to go out. We are housebound.

I think there is another dementia in addition to NPH.

Early diagnosis and shunting can have greater benefits.

Best wishes to you. Hugs

Eloise0304

if the lumbar puncture indicates NPH it sounds like the shunt surgery for a dementia patient would not be advised

Metta

A VP shunt after correct diagnosis of NPH can reverse dementia symptoms. Working with health care professionals is your best option. Early intervention can have the most impact.

Eloise0304

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/252029#Comment_252029

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/252029#Comment_252029