Aneurysms Support Group

Have the doctors told you why you are getting the headaches? Something must have been disturbed during the surgery. I had my clipping done the end of April and I took myself off all pain meds after two weeks. I don't even need to take a Tylenol. I have the numb feeling in my head. That's from cutting the nerves when they made the incision but the dr assures me that will go away in time. My eyelash even tingles when I put on mascara. My biggest complaint has been my jaw, but its getting better each day. It doesn't hurt unless I open my mouth too wide (big sandwich). It hasn't kept me from eating and I, too, have gained weight. I was overweight to start so I sure don't need more weight. My energy level isn't back up yet, but after a month of not doing anything, I think its part laziness for me. I'd rather sit at this silly computer.
I learned yesterday that the piece of skull they cut out is being held in place by about a dozen screws made of titanium. I didn't know that. I could feel a couple of little bumps on my forehead and I asked the dr what that was from. For some reason I had thought they had glued it back in place. The dr said we wouldn't want that piece moving, so they screw it in. Did you know that? They had to cut the jaw muscle and lay that part aside to fix the aneurysm - that's why my jaw hurts. Then they stitched it back together. Should have done a face lift at same time - but then I'd be lopsided. We both have a lot to be grateful for. Hang in there. Sometimes its hard, I know. Could the meds you are taking be causing more harm than good? I'm off all meds now, even the seizure ones. I just had to take that for a month. I do have moments of high emotions. (But to be honest, I could get that way before, if I was having a bad day). Each day will be better.

Oh, I forgot to say that there are times when I can feel my incision - little pricks - like you say, pins and needles. I figure it is from the healing. If you learn different, let me know. It's not constant - every once in awhile. The doctor told me yesterday that I can resume my life as before - no restrictions whatsoever. Now I just have to do it.

Dear Terry,
Its only been two months since your surgery. To not feel depressed and angry would not be human! The tingling is a very good sign it means your healing but this takes quite a bit of time. As time passes your whole body will return to a more or less normal state. You will adapt and be able to handle anything. You say you do yoga, then you are able to meditate. I suggest that you try meditation for right now. An aneurysm clipping is a major surgery and it will take your body at least 3 months to be any where near healed! So hang on and try and be patient!!!! Eric

Hi Terry, congrats on the success of the clipping. I am sure you will feel better as the others have said as time goes by. Could you enlighten me on your annie size and location please? I have 1 annie right behind each of my eyes. I havent done any surgery for it because I am very scared of open heads.

Debbie — doc says that everybody heals differently and that there's no complications with my surgery, only that it'll just take more time. You're REALLY lucky to not have to be medded out. I don't have jaw pain anymore, that was the first pain to go away, but the bone pain by my eye is what's still achy. Doc did confirm that the pins and needles are pain from nerves healing. That's a good sign! :)

Weinere46 — I know I need to wait a little while before I whine about it. Three months seems to be the magic goal. Meditation is good, I've been trying to do this, and healing visualization, before I sleep (both naptime and nighttime)

Jeff — my annie was small and next to my left optic nerve. I have to say that this pain and recovery gripes are so much better for me to live with than the worry of not knowing what's going to happen to me. I hope you find a solution that works for you soon so you don't have to worry anymore!

Hi Terry
I just wanted to say hang in there, and you will be in my prayers.
Love,
Jennifer

Hey Terry, I too just wanted to give you some hope. It's been almost 10 weeks since I had my clipping and I too still have headaches. I stopped the pain meds after the first week, cause they really didn't make me feel any better. I also had a migraine about a week ago and was very scared that it was one of the other 2 annie's that I have. I went to get a CAT scan and they said everything was fine. It is so hard to go about your daily business of work and life and not be affected by the surgery. I have a list of little things that are still bothering me, but like you I am grateful to be alive and back to work. My scan ins't completly healed yet and that is weird. Unlike Debbie I am still on anti-seizure meds until I go back for my 3 month follow up. I didn't realize that those meds make you sleepy. I am tired all the time so that makes sense. I have gained about 10 pounds and am upset that I can't workout, but I have been walking and that seems to help. I lost 3.5 pounds last week. I am hopin that I can get back to Yoga after I see the doctor. Thanks for the quote it is so true, we just need to let things go as they will. Love to you in your continued recovery.

Nina

Jennifer/Nina — thank you both for the kind comments. It really feels almost surreal, like this whole thing happened to someone else.

Hi Terry - congrats on your progress so far. It has been 15 weeks for me - 3/4/09 - since my surgery and I too have the pins and needles (this is nerve endings healing), exhaustion (especially with a 6 and 8 year old children and trying to get back to full time work) and I too have gained weight and had to be OK with not excercising due to lack of energy.

I suspect all of this will improve over time for both of us...I know it is hard to wait....I have been in that spot before and still am.

I am much like DebbieMF in that I have been off pain meds since about a week or two out of the hospital - I have a headache about every 10 days or so, but usually can tie it to dehydration, my period or being tired. I only take Tylenol if I feel OK doing so and I flood myself with fluids.

I too feel very lucky to be alive (although sometimes the emotions are very hard to deal with) and since my annie ruptured and I put thrust into an immediate emergency situation by not knowing I had an annie in the first place, I really, really feel lucky - all of the puzzle pieces fell in place for me - timing, people were present, health care professionals available to help me deal with the emergency and medivac available to transport me.

I imagine the physical part of my issues are over - but the emotional ones have only begun. I am feeling the emotions are harder and harder to deal with and the physical recovery has only improved.

Keep us posted on how you are doing, I trust you will find improvement over the coming weeks.

SM