I know this isn't the best of pictures (attached) and I am really new to this. There are different types of aneurysms? Are any worse than the others?
Also, I take warfarin (now and forever) for a clotting disorder. Does anyone know how that might impact the decision to treat or not to treat?
Thanks in advance for your help! I'm so glad I found this support group!
DK...welcome...
first...what did your diagnosing doctor explain to you; i.e.
Name of artery / segment discovered/diagnosed w/an aneurysm? it's size / and shape?
The BAF main site, and other online sites, note the diff types; the main one: saccular (berry shape)...tho they have overall size and an average neck...or a wide neck...
The other is a fusiform...small percentage, but truly different in shape...
If your doc did not tell you the artery/segment and type of aneurysm...suggest you call that office and ask for specifics...
The image you supplied does not appear the same kind (image...not aneurysm) ...Was your testing an MRI/A or artereography? My arterio/angio image has a clearly distinctive berry-shaped aneurysm down to a tiny daughter (a little extra poof-out one wall of the aneurysm)...clearly distinct neck of the aneurysm beginning at the artery wall to teexpansion of the aneurysm itself.
What did your doctors say about your warfarin re: aneurysm status/treatment? It all depends on the cause of your disorder needing warfarin...based on what that prescribing doc explained...and, what the neuro-angio doc has explained... ???
The BAF and various other sites address aneurysms...but not what a doc might/should explain/define/ put on a diagnostic form to send home w/a patient...I am a bit hot-headed on this one...because we read the seriousness of aneurysms ...then, we walk out like it is insignificant and unremarkable for us to understand it...especially when we might have to make selections of open surgery or the minimally invasive...
Please let us know if you do have more info from your doc...besides the BAF data on arteries, there are numerous ones on-line...to learn some anatomy...which cranial nerves are nearby, etc...
Prayers for your success in all aspects from diagnosis to treatment at appropriate timing...
Pat
Hi there,
Can’t respond to the type of aneurysm question - yes, there are different types and some are more of a risk than others. Doctor should go over all of this with you. I can tell you though that I am also a Warfarin lifer due to clotting disorder. So you’re not alone there! I just had my aneurysm coiled a month ago after getting several opinions. The most complicating factor really seemed to be my clotting problem. Here’s what I got from different docs. Doc #1 was going to do stent and coils for me while I stayed on Warfarin. Every other doc I spoke with was VERY bothered by this. Doc #2 wanted it clipped, and I’d bridge with Heparin (have you ever done that?). When I asked him about Pipeline he said I’d need triple coagulation - aspirin, Plavix, and Warfarin for 6 months, then drop the Plavix. He wasn’t too crazy about that, and neither was I. Doc #3 was for stent and coils with the triple coagulation. But he referred me to Doc #4 who suggested balloon-assisted coiling. No aspirin or Plavix - just bridge with Heparin. I liked that best by far and now, hooray, it’s done! So, I’d just recommend you get enough opinions to feel secure that your specific health needs are being met. Good luck! Karen
You need to see a neurosurgeon and go over your pictures and treatment options...~ keep us posted...~ Colleen
Thanks Liam. I will do as you suggest and write down all of my questions.
Hello Pat. The doctor who ordered the MRI was my rheumatologist. The results were only available on Friday and it seems most doctor offices close early. So, I don't have many answers yet. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much for the support and prayers. Debbie
Hello Karene. Thank you for the response. I am so early in this process that I just don't know much at all. I've been on Warfarin since 2007 and it has been a "real pain" (as you have experienced) whenever a medical procedure is required. I did have to bridge with Heparin once and didn't love giving myself the shots. Hopefully, by next week I will have the opportunity to meet with my doctor and/or a neurologist. Thank you for the reply and support. Debbie
Hello Colleen. You are correct. There is nothing like getting bad medical news on a Friday. My first task Monday morning is to make arrangements to see a doctor. My rheumatologist had ordered the MRI. I am guessing that he will refer me to a neuro doctor of some kind. Thank you for your reply and support. Debbie
Hi Debbie...oh I didn't realize that you just received this news on Friday...Gosh...Hang in there and try not to worry this weekend (easy for me to say, Huh?)...and Monday start the process of getting in touch with a neurosurgeon...don't be surprise if it is a few weeks on the appointment...things move a bit slow...through this journey...will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ~ Colleen
Hi Debbie...you were blessed with the quality of your rheumatologist to get your MRI-head done... give him/her special thanks...
I am sitting here smiling for you...I do regret you got the data on Friday..however, based on your rheumatologist's first function, can only imagine you are safe/secure...And, that you will be referred to an excellent neuro-specialist...
Prayers surround you at this site...
Pat
Hello Colleen. Keeping busy and maybe take in a movie tonight. Thanks again for the support and prayers! Enjoy your weekend! Debbie
Debbie and Karene...
We have had a few others on blood-clot disorders...and, some who have had clot formation after cancer treatment...then, some of us, post angio / contrast material have other blood issues...and the reactions to Plavix, aspirin, etc...I finally went off even the baby aspirin...had terrible bruising...additionally began and still have the petechiae (or purpura)...I never had any skin issues prior to contrast materials...and quickly after initial treatments had the development of psoriasis head to toe...so to speak...that is still a problem...I was referred for beginning of testing for Sjogren's syndrome (the rare, unknown cause disease) ... I still wonder why it is unknown...I did ask in our "ask-the-doc"...
In mid-December I did have an ultrasound (due to an injury)...and had no clots at that site...or any of the small clots (failing appropriate word) that are in the blood system...because I had scabbing, bruising, swelling...the docs ere the ones who highly recommended the ultrasound...it had not even occurred to me I may have clots...(I did have a chipped bone...so guess some part of my system was irritable)
My strong interest in sharing this...what causes excessive clot formation...and, what causes it to drop so low we cannot even take baby aspirin...somehow it all has to start in the same place in our systems...
Forgive me if I am failing clarity... I survived global aphasia too...seems likely other members run from one end to the other in clotting to not clotting normally...and, hope they will share,
Pat
Hello Pat. In my family, we have a genetic defect (at least one; some with multiple). Factor V Leiden is the most common in my family. I have a great niece who had a stroke during birth. It is expensive to get tested for these genetic defects. However, if you have a history of clots, I think most major insurances will pay for the tests. My mother has Sjogren's. She suffers terribly with dry eyes, sinus and bladder infections. You may want to go see a good rheumatologist if you haven't already. Best of luck! Debbie
Debbie...thank you for sharing...
Oh my gosh...your great niece...We do hear/read of various congenital and/or genetic issues...little readily available data to make us think/remember terminology...Prayers your niece is doing well...
My thoughts are circling...I do not have, never had, clot problems...nor any bleeding or bruising problems...until after the minimally invasive coil/stent... w/that angio/stenting, the neuro-doc used Integrilin and plavix...during the minimally invasive procedure (not even prior...which suggests a lot on my known blood status...) this neuro-doc did refer me to rheumatologist to begin the Sjogren's testing...I did not have enough brain tissue to generate my asking them about it...most interesting to me now...is how Sjogren's is labeled as rare/unknown causes... and, not tied back to procedures...
Did your mother ever have any extensive rad/contrast testing or therapy? Or, did she have the symptoms congenitally or develop somewhere along the way?
Thanks for jogging more thought... and, whatever we can share...for new questions to new docs...
Prayers we can all continue to generate info to search and for questions to ask our neuros...
Pat
