Aneurysms Support Group
An aneurysm (or aneurism) is localized, blood-filled dilation (bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall. Aneurysms most commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and in the aorta - this is an aortic aneurysm. This bulge in a blood vessel can burst and lead to death at any time.
So now I am off to a urgent (so the doc says)appointment with a neurosurgeon.
Findings:
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Rounded berry aneurysms are present in the region of the supraclinoid carotid artery bilaterally, a larger aneurysm measuring about 9mm present arrising in the region of the supraclinoid internal cartid artery on the right and projecting anterosuperiorly. A second similar though smaller, 5mm, rounded flow void is present arising in the region of the left supraclinoid internal cartid artery again projecting anterosuperiorly.
Marked mucosal thickening is present involving both maxillary antra, the sphenoid sinus, the frontal sinus and multiple ethmoid air cells.
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(whatever the heck that all means?)
Sounds like there is more than just the two by the first sentence...
The doc said it doesn't explain all the problems and symptoms (the MRI was because we were looking for signs of MS) but the neurosurgeon will go over things with me further she said...
It was not being able to speak for a week that started all the initial testing (extreme fatigue, numbness and bad painful uncooperative legs, vision problems, + more were the other symptoms)
How much of this could be the aneurysms?
Has anyone had aneurysms in this location?
What will my options be?
Should my older children be scanned?
What is recovery time like with coil or clip?
Complications?
Hospital stay?
Will I need someone taking care of me after?
obviously I am trying to keep calm, but I am not being too sucessful...
Findings:
---------------------------------
Rounded berry aneurysms are present in the region of the supraclinoid carotid artery bilaterally, a larger aneurysm measuring about 9mm present arrising in the region of the supraclinoid internal cartid artery on the right and projecting anterosuperiorly. A second similar though smaller, 5mm, rounded flow void is present arising in the region of the left supraclinoid internal cartid artery again projecting anterosuperiorly.
Marked mucosal thickening is present involving both maxillary antra, the sphenoid sinus, the frontal sinus and multiple ethmoid air cells.
-----------------------------------
(whatever the heck that all means?)
Sounds like there is more than just the two by the first sentence...
The doc said it doesn't explain all the problems and symptoms (the MRI was because we were looking for signs of MS) but the neurosurgeon will go over things with me further she said...
It was not being able to speak for a week that started all the initial testing (extreme fatigue, numbness and bad painful uncooperative legs, vision problems, + more were the other symptoms)
How much of this could be the aneurysms?
Has anyone had aneurysms in this location?
What will my options be?
Should my older children be scanned?
What is recovery time like with coil or clip?
Complications?
Hospital stay?
Will I need someone taking care of me after?
obviously I am trying to keep calm, but I am not being too sucessful...
Clipping is a permanent fix for an aneurysm but carries more risk because it is true brain surgery. Sometimes, this is the only option. Coiling deposits tiny filaments into the aneurysm to seal it off. It is done under the guidance of a neuroradiologist with a small catheter that starts from the femoral artery and is guided right into the actual aneurysm. There is much less risk with this procedure but sometimes it needs to be repeated years later or sometimes the shape of the aneurysm is not conducive for coiling.
My Mom is 62 years old and other wise in good health. I'm hoping that this will go smoothly and we can stop worrying about the aneurysm.
If you smoke, you need to quit immediately. Research studies show that smoking increases the incidence of *ruptured* aneurysms. Also, make sure your blood pressure is in good control.
Your doctor will help guide you to make the best decision. Good luck and let us know.
i was also diagnosed with an brain aneurysm several years ago - i was being tested for MS and low and behold, i was given this news. my doctor chooses not to do surgery because of the aneurysm's location in my brain; when i had my yearly cta scan two years, they found yet another small aneurysm - UGH. right now, i have opted not to have the surgery because of potential bad side effects or worse. i see you have lots of questions; can i suggest that you please write them down and talk to your doctor about each of his answers; if you have someone who can accompany you that you also be helpful. i know how hard it is to comprehend and remember what a doctor says to you at the time of a visit and having someone else for support and understanding is great. i'm praying for you and wish you all the best. Catlin
So yeah, basically still in the dark-lol...
kinda stressing if one can change so much in two weeks from being of no concern to needing attention...How can being left for months without an appointment be considered "on the fast track to surgery"?
Makes me emotional thinking about it,
Sorta like I have bombs in my brain and no one knows what the timer is set at...
And the bomb squad is out having donuts...
I know exactly what you mean about a "ticking bomb" in your head. There isn't day that goes by that I don't think about my aneurysms.
The health care system in this country today seems to be going downhill real fast. I don't know whether it's because of insurance coverage or medical professionals don't care or are just too busy to be more careful with their patients.
You seem very strong; have you gotten additional opinions from another neurosurgeon? It's amazing what one doctor will tell you compared to someone else.
Keep strong; ask a lot of questions; I'm sending you a hug and lots of good wishes.
Catlin
Where were your aneurysms located? I would be so terrified if I was 'unable' to get them fixed due to location!! I am finding it very difficult to go a few months knowing they are there, but to just continue on with them there...incredible!
What was the verdict on the MS testing? What things brought up the testing? Were your annies causing symptoms?
I am just curious as we both found our aneurysms the same way? They did not find lesions in my MRI (though I was informed after about contrast and things, so I don't know if things were accurate). They told me some of my symptoms are due to the aneurysms but not all. So I guess I will find out more when I see the neuro...
blessings
Jill
Hi I havne't been on the board for a while. I came across your posting and it reminded me of how I felt when I was first diagnosed. I'm a mother of four and was just terrified of having this "bomb" in my head. Things for me have now slowed down. I had two surgeries one if 1/08 (stent placement) and the other 4/08 (coiling) and I'm on the road to a pretty much a full recovery. I noticed you last posted on 7/20. Have you been to your neurosurgeon since? How you doing? I wanted to also let you know that a local support group might work wonders for you! I made some wonderful friends and can't begin to tell you how great it felt to really talk to someone that could seriously understand what I was going through. Check out www.bafound.org for more info on brain anerusyms and look under suppport groups to see if there is one in your area. There wasn't one in San Antonio, so when my surgeries were over; I founded on here. If I can help with anything please feel free to email me at bafoundsanantonio@live.com - Take care!
Mayra (Sherpita)
aneurysm was discovered. When I had it coiled at some point that night I had a major stroke! I'm so sorry for all you have gone through and hope things have gotten better for you!