Hi, I was supposed to have an angiogram in July to check my unruptured aneurysm. I ended up cancelling it for several reasons 1) I'm terrified 2) My son might need a minor surgery but we don't have a consult with the surgeon until December 3) Money. I had a craniotomy last year to remove an AVM and we are still paying bills from that (even with insurance). My aneurysm is 2x1mm and a few neurologist friends say that this might be associated with the AVM. This means that it might go away or stabilize with the AVM no longer feeding it. But this is not certain.
I don't know if we can afford an angiogram and surgery for my son in one year. Is it reasonable for me to wait another 6 months or so? My surgeon is an endovascular specialist so he is unlikely to recommend alternatives like MRI or CTA. I'm scared that this aneurysm has grown since last year but my surgeon never acted overly concerned. In fact, he wanted me to have a 1 year follow up instead of 6 months. I'm also nervous about radiation because I had an awful lot in a short period last year.
I feel a little hopeless and helpless and cowardly right now but I would still like to wait a little longer on the angio. Thoughts? Thank you soooo much.
Joy, this is one of those cases where we can't render an opinion on whether it is okay to wait or not -- no one can answer that except your doctor. Phone your doctor or send a message and explain your concerns, and see what alternatives may be available to you. Keep us posted.
I can't offer you medical advice but I would suggest you have the financial dept at your medical center take a look at things. they should have an insurance specialist. We are getting very close to the end of the year insurance year and the deductible/copay/out of pocket clock is about to reset. Timing of both your sons procedure and yours could make a difference of thousands of dollars in put of pocket expense. They can help you figure it out. More importantly they can help with scheduling should it be to your advantage to have stuff done this year
I agree that you need to contact your specialist and also get the billing help. At one local hospital near me, they have a Health Connect program that connects people to programs/resources that help with medical bills. In addition, the senior center has a program periodically that does the same thing and anyone, regardless of their age, can schedule an appointment. You would need to be prepared to have your financial amounts available at that time - income in addition to medical bills and co-payments. Good luck, Sherri
Joy, you have a lot on your plate right now so don’t forget to breathe. Your doctor is the best for medical advice as everyone has suggested. I double what tj1 shared and I can give a personal example. My insurance runs July through June. I had my SAH in Nov and because of my confusion had my doctor move the angiogram up so it would be covered under the same insurance year. Luckily she found the second aneurysm before rupture and scheduled me to come in the same week or it could’ve been the next week. Anyhow, it all ended up in the same insurance year which meant I already met my deductible for the year.
I can help with one thing… The angiogram. I had mine a week ago. It was painless. The only thing I felt was a nice warm feeling on the right side of my face and through my scalp as the dye went through. I was apprehensive too as I had never had one before. I was sedated but it was not general anesthesia. Everything checked out fine which was a relief. I will need another one in 6 months for a follow up. I won’t be as nervous cause I will know what to expect. My aneurism (4") burst in Jan, 2014, it was coiled. I spent 2 weeks in the ICU, then three weeks in re-hab. Then in March a Flow Diverter was put in to strengthen the walls of the artery and to make sure the blood would pass by the aneurism and not want to takes it’s old path to the aneurism. I’m 72, active also… I do water aerobics, yoga and tai chi and I have extensive gardens to take care of. I am very lucky to have pulled through. I am trying to cope with an unnatural fatigue… I’ve always been high energy. The fatigue hits me out of the blue and I have to rest or nap. Not bad when I consider what I have been through. As far as having to choose whether to have your son’s procedure or yours… I agree with the others…talk to your Doctor! There must be help available for you. You shouldn’t have to choose! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers…