I had a CT for an unrelated issue and they discovered I had a 8mm aneurysm I am confused about what size they watch and what size they treat. I am scheduled for a angiogram on 6/20/16. I am really scared.
A similar scenario played out for me in March of 2015, the same size aneurysm was diagnosed as well. I delayed until this past February to have the surgery, due to other health issues. If my aneurysm had been smaller I might have opted for watch and wait.
Try not to worry too much, just go through the angiogram and listen to the expert’s advice.
Campanile said:
A similar scenario played out for me in March of 2015, the same size aneurysm was diagnosed as well. I delayed until this past February to have the surgery, due to other health issues. If my aneurysm had been smaller I might have opted for watch and wait.
Try not to worry too much, just go through the angiogram and listen to the expert's advice.
There are many factors that are looked at by the neuro surgeon on whether to watch or operate. Your age is a big determining factor. Your health. Previous family history of aneurysms. size, shape and location of the aneurysm. Multiple aneurysms. and your ability to watch if the neuro surgeon decides watching is the best course of action. Many are not able to do this and opt for surgery anyway. Always get at least one more opinion from a neuro surgeon. I had three aneurysms, one ruptured three years ago. It was clipped along with another aneurysm on the same side of my brain. I was in the hospital for 15 days, also suffered a stroke during that time. I was able to go back to work after three months. I am blessed to have only a few problems. I have patiently watched the third unruptured aneurysm for three years. Now, my risk factors have changed and I will go and have my last remaining aneurysm clipped July 21. If you become overly anxious,find someone who is very understanding and vent your emotions, you will feel better. This site is great for that. Prayer is extremely helpful. Yoga and meditation. Having a great group of understanding family and friends. Knowledge is the key to understanding that fear and overcoming it. Good luck my friend and hang tight
I have been noticing some vision changes in the past few months and head and the back of my neck pain not sure if they are connected to the aneurysm. I am 61 and I don't know much about my family medical history except that my grandfather died of a stroke when I was 2 years old. I have one brother with a heart aneurysm that they are monitoring every six months. I am just getting started I briefly met with the doctor on Tuesday and he scheduled me for the angiogram next week. Because of my insurance I have to travel 2 hours.
Masterplumber said:
There are many factors that are looked at by the neuro surgeon on whether to watch or operate. Your age is a big determining factor. Your health. Previous family history of aneurysms. size, shape and location of the aneurysm. Multiple aneurysms. and your ability to watch if the neuro surgeon decides watching is the best course of action. Many are not able to do this and opt for surgery anyway. Always get at least one more opinion from a neuro surgeon. I had three aneurysms, one ruptured three years ago. It was clipped along with another aneurysm on the same side of my brain. I was in the hospital for 15 days, also suffered a stroke during that time. I was able to go back to work after three months. I am blessed to have only a few problems. I have patiently watched the third unruptured aneurysm for three years. Now, my risk factors have changed and I will go and have my last remaining aneurysm clipped July 21. If you become overly anxious,find someone who is very understanding and vent your emotions, you will feel better. This site is great for that. Prayer is extremely helpful. Yoga and meditation. Having a great group of understanding family and friends. Knowledge is the key to understanding that fear and overcoming it. Good luck my friend and hang tight
I am also 61 years old. Its possible if your aneurysm is located in the right place could be causing vision problems. Many aneurysms until they reach giant size {which is about the size of a penny,} over 25mm, will go undetected unless discovered because of some other problem. I am glad they found yours. Many people on this site, some older than us, have had their aneurysms treated. there is a group on this site to join for people over sixty. you may want to look into joining also
FYI, I was 65 when I had I had the procedure in Feb. and my coiled and stented aneurysm is right between my eyes on the Anterior Communicating Artery. No family history of brain aneurysms.
I had an 8mm on my ACOM but it sprouted babies/snowmen. Had it and another on A1 clipped 12/10/2015.
My husband had a stroke and a heart attack on 6/7/16. CT scan to confirm stroke found a 7.4 mm aneurysm. At the time of the scan the doctor told us it was 6mm. Angiogram confirmed it was 7.4. We were told anything over a 6 is surgery, and considered medium size. We had a clipping done 9/13/16 of a 7.4mm aneurysm . We had a follow angiogram a day later and it was confirmed the aneurysm was obliterated.
I had to have 2 clips on July 21st it was too wide for one the next day I had a brain bleed stroke and have only been home for a week. I have home health physical therapy coming to my house a couple of times a week. I have to use a walker which really upsets me I was a walker of 10,000 steps a day.
Joyce, TKY for updating us. I am sorry to read that your surgery had complications, but please do not despair, because the brain can heal and improvement is possible.Please give yourself time and if standard PT doesn’t help, inquire about Aqua PT. There is a great book on the neuro plasticity of the brain, by Doidge, called The Brain’s Way of Healing.
Joyce Wood said:
I had to have 2 clips on July 21st it was too wide for one the next day I had a brain bleed stroke and have only been home for a week. I have home health physical therapy coming to my house a couple of times a week. I have to use a walker which really upsets me I was a walker of 10,000 steps a day.