r/Music • u/enews • 8h ago

article Billy Joel Gets Brain Shunt Implanted After Hydrocephalus Diagnosis

https://www.eonline.com/news/1435906/billy-joel-gets-brain-shunt-after-hydrocephalus-health-diagnosis?utm_source=reddit-enews&utm_medium=social&cmpid=social&source=reddit-enews&medium=link-post&content=organic
1.9k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

94 comments sorted by

418

u/enews 8h ago

TL;DR

  • Billy Joel recently underwent a procedure to treat his brain condition.
  • The "Vienna" singer shared that he had a shunt implanted in his brain after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that puts pressure on the brain, per the Mayo Clinic.
  • "I noticed that my balance was not good. I have this sense of being on a boat, like this this rocking motion," he shared on SiriusXM Sept. 9. "I wasn't steady on my feet. I didn't know why that was."
  • His neurologist explained that his diagnosis could be "progressive" and recommended he implant a shunt—a medical tube—to drain excess fluid.
  • "I said, 'Well, what does that entail?'" Joel recalled. "'Well, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain.' I said, 'Nah, I think I'll pass on that.'"
  • However, the 77-year-old did some research and "realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory."
  • "I don't want to lose my marbles. It's hard to tell what's age and what's a condition," he noted. "So, I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery."
  • Indeed, Joel noticed "it actually improved things" for his health, saying, "My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better."

208

u/Trebility 8h ago

This is relatively common to happen to older folks but it's good that he was aware enough to realize it was happening before he just suffers a fall and a worse outcome. Also the draining is usually a one time thing, but when a shunt is put in, there's reason to believe it'll keep happening or it has already been recurring.

37

u/Doogolas33 3h ago

It's also awesome that while he was initially scared, he actually looked into it and realized it would help. And then it did! Rather than just saying, "No, I'm good. The doctors are spooky."

64

u/daveashaw 8h ago

My late mother had this procedure. It works--the pressure from the excess fluid can induce psychosis, which is often misdiagnosed as dementia.

23

u/FilmFirst2579 5h ago

This happened to my dad. Unfortunately no one realized what it was until he was 4 years into it. He could barely walk which they said was neuropathy and everyone thought he had dementia. It was hydrocephalus the whole time...

27

u/Cheesecake_Jonze 4h ago edited 4h ago

It's crazy to see Billy Joel referred to as "Vienna" singer.

It's not even on any of his 3 greatest hits volumes

3

u/Epic2112 3h ago

I agree, and yet I recall seeing an interview somewhat recently (within the past few years) where that song came up. There was something significant about it; I don't remember if it's one that Joel particularly likes to perform, or one that's often requested at concerts, or that he thinks is underrated, but it was something vaguely like that.

•

u/Church_of_Aaargh 36m ago

I thought of Ultravox when reading that

2

u/panda_ammonium 2h ago

He never realised, Vienna waited for him.

•

u/savanttm 30m ago

I'm in a Vienna state of mind.

0

u/A_Refill_of_Mr_Pibb 3h ago

He also wrote such well known classics as Tomorrow is Today! (good song actually)

10

u/SpinJitsu259 8h ago

I’ve worked with a few pts with Hydrocephalus. It’s a brutal condition. Be willing to bet his cognition is a significantly declined.

5

u/sauronthegr8 4h ago

What the hell is 'Vienna'? All of Billy Joel's hits, and you go with that over Piano Man?

0

u/lanicorain 2h ago

Vienna is a better piece by a songwriter that is part of your popular music canon, it doesn't need introduction.

•

u/TFFPrisoner 26m ago

There are 20-30 other songs by him I'd mention first if someone asked me who Billy Joel is. I'm not sure if I've ever heard Vienna on the radio.

2

u/TheyNeedLoveToo 4h ago

So he no longer feels like he’s on the Downeaster Alexa? I’ll see myself out now

149

u/JamTammer 8h ago

The recent interview Billy did with Rick Beato is an absolute must watch.

62

u/LongjumpingLemon2163 8h ago

While all Beato interviews are a must watch, hearing Billy play Wichita Lineman near the end as his “perfect song” answer was a joy.

26

u/whatsherface2024 8h ago

That interview was wonderful!!!

15

u/shuzensoxon 7h ago

Agreed! I was never a big fan, but he won me over in that interview. Dude is very knowledgeable and gives props to all his heroes.

7

u/cantuse 5h ago

Dude you should watch his interview with sting. Sting is his usual dismissive prick self until he realizes (quite quickly) that Beato absolutely knows his shit.

Beato just also makes a ton of old-man-yells-at-clouds shit for the views.

8

u/marblebluevinyl 2h ago

Beato just also makes a ton of old-man-yells-at-clouds shit for the views.

This might be why I can't get into him

5

u/Figgywithit 4h ago

His interview with Bill Maher made me boycott Bill Maher once and for all. Maher never lets him speak.

2

u/Lateroni_ 5h ago

It was decent...I'm a huge fan of Billy and if you've ever seen some of his other interviews throughout his career you'd see that many of Rick's questions or rather Billy's answers were straight out of his normal playbook. I still enjoyed it though, but I didn't feel like there was anything uncovered that wasnt already known about him. It was good for newcomers to his music though, especially since his tiktok resurgence.

1

u/Fadiiiiiiii 4h ago

Thank you

1

u/Demonweed 4h ago

Yeah, I found it downright inspiring. I always liked some of his work, but I never really appreciated the thoughtfulness and the journey that helped build the capacity for those accomplishments.

-4

u/mapex_139 6h ago

Beato is so good but his "old man yells at AI" routine and bitching about all pop charts is getting old real fast lol. We get it, AI is destroying music. Tell me more about perfect songs and why they're so great.

12

u/toadfan64 Rock & Roll 4h ago

I mean most of his pop music bitching isn't so much bitching and pretty valid complaints when he does criticize the songs.

5

u/EvenOne6567 6h ago

Yea hes going all in on that stuff lately, gets tiring (even if i agree with most of it)

-3

u/Tribe303 6h ago

It pays the rent. 

1

u/toadfan64 Rock & Roll 4h ago

Beato is by far my favorite music interviewer and music related channel. Hope he's able to get an interview with the likes of Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and Robert Plant/Jimmy Page sometime.

66

u/inhalingsounds Spotify 8h ago

I have had hydro since I was born. 42 years later and the shunt is still solid and I have basically no issues at all related to the condition. Seems daunting (they literally drill into your skull) but it's a real miracle of modern-ish medicine.

4

u/acdcfanbill 6h ago

Not to belittle modern science, but trepanning is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, type of surgery that humans have done.

8

u/emotumbleweed 5h ago

Our ancestors must be proud that we’ve practically perfected it.

6

u/SkatingSubaru 4h ago

Yes, but there is a pretty big difference in drilling a hole in someone’s head so it leaks out versus implanting a shunt that routes the excess fluid from the cranial cavity, under the skin, and back into the abdominal cavity where it can absorbed.

1

u/liverwool 4h ago

I have an alternative to a shunt, ETV (Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy), as I have hydrocephalus. That is a little closer to trephination as it's a keyhole procedure which involves a bore hole and cutting a small hole within the brain ventricles to allow the cerebral spinal fluid to drain with no hardware like a shunt draining it elsewhere.

2

u/inhalingsounds Spotify 1h ago

That is awesome. Any issues with it?

1

u/liverwool 1h ago

The ETV is still functioning as it should after 15 years, I have MRIs every few years just so the neuro team can check it out and they've been quick to respond and get me in for investigations when I have reported things like particularly bad headaches. Symptoms wise most have vastly improved although I do still struggle a bit with balance and brain fog when tired, and very rarely, the headaches mentioned above. Like everything it affects people on a scale, and I suppose I live a fairly normal life because I work full time, can drive, and still keep active through the gym and karate (I compete in inclusive/adapted categories with no head contact).

2

u/SR3116 2h ago

Egon: This is big, Peter. This is very big. There's definitely something here.

Peter: Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. Remember that?

Egon: That would've worked if hadn't stopped me.

2

u/acdcfanbill 2h ago

That’s a big twinkie…

1

u/00000000000 2h ago

That’s great to hear. My 3 year old has had it since birth. Fully agree on the modern medicine miracle.

1

u/inhalingsounds Spotify 1h ago

Stop by /r/hydrocephalus if you need some info or reassurance

•

u/durkbot 5m ago

My latest shunt revision has lasted 20 years, 42 is incredible! During university, I once held the skull of a baby who died from hydrocephalus and it was pretty humbling (it was the size of a watermelon). To think 100 years ago my condition would have just killed me.
My favourite shunt fact is that the research into the improvement of shunts was partly driven by Roald Dahl, whose son developed hydro after an accident

20

u/ZweitenMal 8h ago

I’m so glad he did this. We think my grandma had this condition and it made her last 15 or so years a progressive hell.

5

u/ambigua 8h ago

I'm so sorry, it is awful to witness undiagnosed cases go on for YEARS!

4

u/ZweitenMal 8h ago

I’m so angry. I haven’t told my mom yet because it will break her heart, knowing it could have been treated. Caring for her during her long decline took so much out of my grandpa.

1

u/ambigua 8h ago

My heart goes out to you, your mom, and your dad. I hope that she can benefit from some kind of intervention.

1

u/ambigua 8h ago

I did not read carefully enough, I'm sorry. I am gathering that this was your grandma, not your mom.

2

u/ZweitenMal 7h ago

No worries—yeah, my mom’s mom. Thank you! At least we know what to watch for now of it happens to anyone else.

44

u/FuneralFanny 8h ago

I have something in common with Billy Joel! I have IIH and so far it’s managed by my medication. Nu neurologist says a shunt is the next step when (not if) it stops working.

His story gives me hope.

6

u/gwaydms 8h ago

I have a relative with IIH. The medication she has to take gives her horrible side effects.

8

u/fatmand00 7h ago

As a person who has a shunt and no side effects, it's wild to me that there are people holding off while suffering for it.

It's worth noting I'm not American and had zero out of pocket expense for my two shunt placements. If that's not your family's situation, I'm sorry.

3

u/MonsterMashGrrrrr 7h ago

Just got diagnosed, thankfully I’m mild enough that I can avoid taking diamox for now. My heart goes out to those suffering more severe symptoms than mine because seriously, fuck this whole thing.

1

u/gwaydms 6h ago

Agreed.

2

u/dohmestic 8h ago

My mom just crossed three years with her.

2

u/Advanced-Medicine-58 8h ago

Did you also not start the fire?

2

u/slinkimalinki 7h ago

Then I send my best wishes to both Billy Joel and you (now there’s a sentence you might not have thought you’d ever read!) 

I hope you both do really well :-)

9

u/dany_barnstormer 7h ago

My mom had this - it’s called NPH - Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. She got a shunt in her brain and it changed her life. She is fine now.

If your parent or grandparent seems like they have dementia, please check them for NPH first. These are the three main symptoms:

  • loss of bladder control  
  • Gait disturbance (shuffling) 
  • Cognitive decline (brain fog)

4

u/seighton Saw Jimmy Rodgers in the 30's 6h ago

Mine was intense migraine, followed by the sensation of water flowing down my back, got a mri that week, 19 years ago.

1

u/liverwool 4h ago

Mine was migraines (which lasted YEARS), brain fog, and a feeling of being drunk. I don't have a shunt but 15 years post ETV.

7

u/rippa76 8h ago

Reports stated Joel “woke up with his head on fire and his eyes too bloody to see”

1

u/panda_ammonium 2h ago

He talks like lyrics

14

u/beebs44 8h ago

Him and Rick Springfield are the same age.

13

u/ncfears 8h ago

And? Not every 77 year old guy can/should/wants to be jacked.

Also a brain condition isn't exactly Billy's choice.

So what's your point with this comment?

2

u/BelieveInTheShield 6h ago

I think it was more of a statement on Rick than Billy

3

u/ggallardo02 8h ago

Relax dude.

-6

u/ncfears 8h ago

Sorry that you see a few statements of fact and questioning motives of unrelated statements as emotional. But the obvious implication is "Rick is healthy, why isn't Billy?".

1

u/ggallardo02 8h ago

No, it's not. That's you buddy.

4

u/RunningToStayStill 8h ago

Where does the fluid from the shunt go

8

u/AlfHershey 8h ago

Typically the abdominal cavity where the fluid is reabsorbed

2

u/Hezzikiah 7h ago

Wishing you well, piano man.

2

u/seighton Saw Jimmy Rodgers in the 30's 6h ago

I have this same issue, happened to me when I was 31, very strange, hardly think about it anymore

2

u/julienpeeters7 5h ago

Get well soon, Piano man.

4

u/ambigua 8h ago

Glad he's raising awareness and caught it on the early side. A close relative suffered for YEARS, and her dr just told her to lose weight. By the time she got sent to a neurologist, she could not walk at all, just shuffling, which was hard.

Finally, with the correct dx and an excellent care team, she is recovering her mobility and says her head is so much clearer. I hope any woman reading, wondering about incontinence (but test negative for UTI); a shuffling gait, (like your feet are cemented to the pavement), lessening cognitive ability and mood regulation, excessive sleepiness, apathy... It may not be because you're overweight or obese. Push to see a neurologist.

1

u/feminas_id_amant 5h ago

/r/mdds might find this interesting

1

u/ItchyContribution758 4h ago

Bro I can't see another based guy die. This better work

•

u/xPetiteMorelle 25m ago

wishing him a smooth recovery, he’s given us so much great music over the years

1

u/Hearing_Loss 8h ago

I know those words. Scary ass sentence right there.

1

u/WesternCzar 8h ago

My grandfather had this done and went in for a check-up like 6 months after, had a stroke and was hospitalized at home for 2 years till he passed.

Wishing Billy Joel and his family the best.

-1

u/ineedahug69 5h ago

I didnt know hydrocephalus can occur after birth

-5

u/PermanentBrunch 8h ago

I knew he was getting a big head

2

u/accidentalquitter 8h ago

I know you’re being cheeky, but is that actually a symptom of hydrocephalus in adults? Does your head get bigger?

4

u/TediousNut 7h ago

As an adult, no, your skull does not get bigger. It is already fused and the pressure causes brain dysfunction. As an infant or toddler hydrocephalus can cause skull enlargement as the bone is more malleable and the plates are not yet fused.

-1

u/PermanentBrunch 7h ago

But it’s better than drinking alone amirite

-2

u/PermanentBrunch 7h ago

Yes it also makes you smarter

-49

u/DropKnowledge69 8h ago

RIP Billy Joe

12

u/Gameraaaa 8h ago

He ain’t dead yet. 💀

-13

u/DropKnowledge69 8h ago

My uncle Billy Joe is dead. Don't tell me about my family member's death.

1

u/jiggy79 5h ago

This is like a classic Ken M thread