you will need yearly angiograms for coiling ,,, to make sure all is ok andf your coils don't compress,,, I am 2 yrs out from my last surgery and had a recent mri/mra and no new annies but there are some other things that have to be address,,, first we are getting my migraine and siezure meds correct first,,, then move on from there!!! best of luck to u ,,,, huggsss and prayers !!!!! Julie in Delaware
Fabienne,
I am overwhelmed by blood transfusions after surgery...If you have previously explained this, please forgive my limited memory. Would you please explain your need for transfusions...and, if that followed coil or clip?
Forgive me for feeling so overwhelmed by transfusions...
Aside from all...I am delighted for you for your upcoming 8K race...that is wonderful...so wonderful I am smiling for you...as I type...It is magnificent for you...
I get tired, too...almost narcoleptic...noted by mds as not narcoleptic; however the brotherhood does not give alternate diagnosis...As long as I am at home, it is not frightening...I limit my driving due to my big band-wagon on public safety...
I have no pattern on my fatigue...sometimes I can close my eyes for apx 10 minutes and feel refreshed (no sleep)...same symptoms, sleep so hard, I cannot/do not awaken by phone / doorbell; there are some records of my hearing loss during treatment, but not in the primary records; nor was family advised... I have no pattern on the sleep times...
Of all, please share info on the need for transfusions... that one is not normal...
Blessings to you on grad school...
Michelle...you are blessed to have/had no balance loss... to do your walks... I tripped on curbs, fell down stairs, broke my glasses, hit my knees, hit my chin...whether attempting tread mill or taking an outdoor walk.
Prior, I skied, and hiked in hot-dry and hot-humid areas and never had a problem...before angios/coiling...
Julie
One thing I have not been able to secure answers on, are the level of radiation in the angiograms; it is difficult to locate data on the 'net; those for the angios of the heart is the highest rate... and, presumably, the brain angios would be/are equivalent to those used on the heart ... I am still awaiting responses from the experts...
Were your stents explained? I had stents implanted that were not explained...tho, definitely billed...
Good Morning Pat,
After the coiling procedure when they removed the catheter it evidently nicked my artery in my groin area. They didn’t realize that and I was internally bleeding which caused my blood pressure to fall dangerously low. I am told the sealant they used to seal everything up did not stick. Long story short, they conducted multiple blood transfusions until my platelet levels where back to safe levels. I am doing fine now. I pray your energy levels adjust and on the path to recovery. Thank you for the encouraging words for my schooling. I’ve got my midterm today. Take care! :)
Fabiennce...thanks for sharing...there are soem questions about those newer suture ones... vs the prior compression/patch. both were used on me,. and I have no memory of any of it... at least I did not go thru what you went thru...well, at least there's no record of it...
Hope your mid-term went well for you...expect it did.
Wishing you a grand 4th of july...
My opinion is that 10 days would be great. This doctor has definitely never experienced coiling on oneself. The brain is extremely complex and does not like anything messing with it. Recovery for some can be weeks, months, years, a lifetime. I have had 3 coilings and a stent. I am disabled but I have adapted to a managed quality of life. Bottom line is it’s great to be alive. You have much better odds today that you will have a short recovery however prepare for a long term plan. Wish you the best, research, and have a strong support system of family and friends.
Dear friends:
I've been away for awhile, but thought i'd post an update so that folks in similar situation can benefit from the information.
In May, I had coiling assisted with balloon. The doctor decided to avoid stent all possible because I got severe bruises all over my body due to reaction to Plavix. He succeeded in the coiling without the stent. When the doctor woke me up after the surgery and told me that it is all over and it was a successful surgery. I had the breathing machine on and could not talk clearly. I asked: "how did you do the surgery on a bike ride?" I dreamed of having a bike ride with the doctor and nurse during the surgery. (I love bicycling and it is such a happy dream.)
One month later, I returned to full time job and have been doing great since.
In Nov, the doctor's office called and suggested MRI/MRA instead of angiogram for my 6-month follow up. Their major concern is the residue at the neck of the aneurysm. There's chance that the neck will get weak and balloon out. If that happens, they will need to do surgery again and put in additional coiling with stent. The MRI/MRA result came out. It was an amazing recovery. The residual at the neck has deceased by 50% and the doctor is confident that it now has a more likelihood to totally heal.
I asked whether there are constraints on my lifestyle, they told me that absolutely not. I still need to take Aspirin each day (doses decrease to 8mg from 32mg), but other than that, I can do any sports and go on with life.
I cried at the news and wanted to take a pause and share the good news with you all. You've provided so much support along the way, and I forever feel bonded with you.
I have now resumed tennis play and truly enjoyed being able to workout again. The only thing i noticed is that after being around a lot of people, i got very tired and need to sleep a lot the next day. Other than that, I had a 100% recovery. I am forever grateful.
Hi, I am thrilled to hear of your good news and that you have resumed to tennis and workouts. :) I had my coiling procedure done March 25th, 2011. I am back at work, although I get to telework a few days a week and in the office a few days a week as my energy levels have never recovered to what it use to be before my surgery. I too would like to share some great news - I ran a 10K Veterans Day race in D.C. yesterday and completed it!! Yippee!! I take a full strength aspirin every day and two different meds for my migrains (Tremadol and something else). I am truly blessed. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story! Fabienne
Fabienne!! Great to hear the update from you. We are all truly blessed and I remembered that you had blood loss at the surgery. I'm so glad for your speedy recovery. How is school going? (or you may have completed?).. I haven't been to this site for a while.
I am still in grad school (8 more classes left). I push myself in an effort to bring some sort of normalcy to my life. I feel great, just exhausted most of the time. I haven't been on the site for a while either. It is so nice to read and feel connected to a group of folks going through similar challenges. You sound great! I hope you enjoy the holiday season! :)
Bond and Fabienne..
You were blessed with your med care...it is somewhat unqiue.
I am delighted for you both; and to any and all others who have had fine to excellent treatment.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season beginning with a Happy Thanksgiving...
Pat
Hello Pat, thank you for the kind words. I hope you are doing well and enjoying your family and friends during this holiday season. Happy Holidays! Fabienne
Hello Lynne,
I am sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with an aneurysm but you are so lucky it was identified before it ruptured. Coiling seems to be preferred method as it is less evasive and the recovery time is easier. My neurosurgeon told me everybody recovers at their own pace – there is not a one size fits all in terms of recovery. I had migraines prior to being diagnosed with an aneurysm and I was told from the get-go that my surgery would not necessarily eliminate my migraines. I would recommend you follow your medical teams advice and stay positive. You may have a smooth road ahead. For as rough as it has been for me, I count my blessings everyday that I have the ability to work and resume to some sort of normalcy. It beats the alternative. Please keep me posted on your journey and I will add you to my prayer list. Warmest Regards, Fabienne
Hi, Lynne,
Sorry about the aneurysm, and you have the support of wonderful folks here. Surprisingly, doctors do not typically relate headaches to aneurysm. I had constant headaches and that's why i requested MRI, which showed the aneurysm. It is a disguised blessing that we found out about the aneurysm before it ruptures.
The recover from the coiling would be much longer than the angio - at least that is my case. My headaches are relieved immediately after the surgery, but i was very tired and sleepy for the first two weeks.
if you do not have headaches, you may not experience it at all.
Keeping you in my prayers.
Hang in there Lynne, you are going to do fine. I did lot's of research prior to my surgery just to be as informed as possible. The Brain Aneurysm Foundation web site has a wealth of relevant information in terms of what to expect prior to surgery, during your surgery and what to expect afterwords. Plus you have all of your friends on this social network system that can relate and give you some wonderful advice. You are not alone! Good luck!
Hi Bond, I am wondering how you are feeling now? Your story is inspiring, thanks for sharing it! I’m have surgery soon and have the same questions you did so thanks! Ihope you have blessed holidays with your family!
Heather