"After having a bleed, has anyone here had to have a shunt put in?"
I did a search for you…http://www.avmsurvivors.org/main/search/search?q=Shunt
53 pages popped up. I would say it is probably common. Please let us know what happens!
Yes. I had it done in May of 2012. As of this point, further treatment is not an option due to the location of my AVM, left side, deep near speech area.
In my opinion, the difference is night and day. It's difficult for me to explain but my head doesn't feel clogged any more, like I'm not in a haze or fog. My vocabulary and speech are much better, noticeable to those around me. I don't hear my heartbeat in my head anymore.
To me? I think it helped immensely and can't think of one negative aspect. Each person is different though, I'm sure there are negative experiences as well.
Either way, best of luck!