What is Aneurysms
An aneurysm (or aneurism) is localized, blood-filled dilation (bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall.[1] Aneurysms most commonly occur in arter...
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What to expect from recovery - clipped 3/4/09
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Hi - I am looking for advice, what to expect in recovery and support in general.
On 3/4/09 I experienced a horrible headache with nausea, sweating and vomitting. I went to lay down in a co-worker's office and things went straight down hill. I blacked out and woke to a paramedic next to me. I was transported to a local hospital and got a CT scan. I rode by chopper to another hospital where I was diagnosed with a "ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm" that was 5mm. I was given an option of clipping versus coiling. It was suggested the clipping was superior to the coiling for my situation, but I am not fully sure why. I did fine through the 5 hour surgery and spent 10 days in the hospital ICU and neurosurgery unit recouperating. I have been home two weeks now and am doing what I would consider well - I am on Tylenol for occasionaly pain, I can walk up and down our stairs to help put my kids to bed, I have been out with my husband running small errands, napping as needed, helping around the house as I feel I can. Our friends, neighbors and family are absolutely amazed at my progress so far. I apparently have not "deficits" from the surgery (speech and vision are fine, motor skills are good, memory seems fine). My husband and I have even taken several short, easy walks near our house, just on level ground and slow. What should I expect at my first appointment back with the Dr? That is on Wed the 1st. I am told I'll have a CT scan. What else? What should I be asking the Dr. at this point? Is there any chance of figuring out why/how this aneurysm happened? It apparently doesn't run in our family as far as we can tell. How long until I gain more endurance and am able to do more and tolerate more activity? What about returning to work? Any thoughts or suggestions on recouping? Thanks...I appreciate everyone's input and reading everyone else's posts - as scary as some of the information has been, it is good to know exactly what this medical situation is all about. Thanks! C- Posted on 03/29/09, 09:03 pm |
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Well for starters CONGRATULATIONS! Most of us didn't recup. as well as you! That's fab how well you are doing! But take it easy... No heavy lifying. Nothing above 5lbs for now. Write down your questions for the doc. Annis and why? Best to ask doc. He probably can give you a good idea. Some say stress, you maybe the first to have been born with it in your family, illicet drugs, the list goes on....It is important to have ct scans. They show everything is being held the right way. Best of luck! 
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Hi and WELCOME,
You have reached out and found a great group of survivors among us. That is a big step in recovering, reading and sharing what this nightmare is like, makes it more tolerable. My experience was very similar to yours, with sudden headache, rupture, and transfer to bigger hospital, clipping, and long recovery. You sound like you're doing everything on schedule, it is a very slow recovery and fatigue is very common. I had a CT scan on my first follow up visit. Had an angeogram, 3 months and then at 6 months, I had a residual and an additional aneurysm, so you may not have to have them so often. Ask the doc anything that is concerning you and like Claudia said, write it down and take hubby with you, 2 memories are better than one. Start SLOW with exercise, slow walking is great, I did beginner yoga 4 months after, but took it VERY easy, and it built up my strength. Sleep when you feel the need to, so important for healing. My docs say there is no reason they can give me why I got an aneurysm, my neuro doc said I was probably born with the weakness in the artery wall and the things you do during your life may make it weaker, like for me, smoking, high blood pressure, stress in life, working night shifts with lack of sleep, weekend drinking, never took drugs though, all add up. I wish you the very best in your recovery, please keep in touch with us, and good luck at your follow-up appt. Ruthie
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Hey there CONGRATS and you are doing great. You are a little past me I got my clipping on the 13th and honestly am feel pretty good. Sleep is the key like Ruthie and Cludia have said. I know they have helped me A LOT and I listen to what ever they got to tell me. Im doing everything they have told me and seem to be moving right along. Seems like you are as well. As Ruthie has said you have found a GREAT support group. Dont push it, little by little each day.
Keep up the great work to recovery. Julie
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Congratulations!
I have an un-ruptured anterior communicating artery @ 5mm also, plus another un-ruptured posterior communicating artery @ 10mm. I dont know what will happen to me but I am visiting all the neurosurgeons in my insurance network. My best advices to you, like Ruthie said is NOT to have high blood pressure or to smoking cigerates or to inhale second hand smoking. Dont do anything that would make you feel the rushing sensation. and Rest as much as possible. I wish you the best of recovery!
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