well my anniversary of my AVM rupture and aneurysm discovery is approaching. Which means that my follow up angiogram is on the horizon. I;m truly panicked. I don't want more radiation and don't feel ready for potential bad news. My surgeon made me feel rather foolish for worrying about the aneurysm but I don't know how he can be so confident. Nobody can predict what will happen. I'd like to postpone my angio....is that reasonable? I'm scared that this thing has grown since last year but my doc still wanted to wait a whole year for checking. Does that afford me any flexibility with scheduling this test? I want to enjoy my summer. On the other hand, my aneurysm has had a year to change and that could be dangerous, please help. thank you :)
Hi Eva, I am currently following my unruptured aneurysms via an MRA every 6 months or so. My 6 months since the last MRA passed early this month. I am going on a very big vacation at the end of July into August, and like you do not want bad news to impact my vacation, and so I do intend to wait until I am back. In fact I am trying to schedule it to coincide directly to my return flight into JFK, in NYC, since otherwise I would have to take another trip to New York city later on (we live upstate new york).
In any case - I am no expert in any of this, and our circumstances are quite different. But I wondered whether it might be worthwhile for you to consider an MRA, since it does not involve harmful radiation or invasion through the groin area etc. I would be very interested in hearing what other people in this forum think about the pros and cons of MRA vs. angiogram.
I completely understand and identify with your worrying and panic. As you say, nobody can predict, and any decision we make is based on weighing different risks, not certainties, with very high stakes. I have been mostly reading posts in this forum and think people are very helpful. So I hope you get more reponses to help you with your decision, and that you have a wonderful vacation. Good luck
The choice is always very personal. However, I don’t think you should be panicked especially if your surgeon is not voicing concern. The key is exactly what you wrote “Nobody can predict what will happen.”
My personal experience is that over the past 45 years post clipping and living with unruptured annies, I’ve probably had 5-7 angiograms plus a few CT scans. I have three unruptured annies.
If you would like to have a test sooner for peace mine, please ask your doctor to schedule it. Please remember, however, the angiography carries its own risks.
May God guide you to make the decision that is best for you.