My husband's aneurysm ruptured during the coiling procedure. Subsequently, he had to have a ventriculostomy. The day following the ventriculostomy the catheter stopped working and he had to have a second catheter installed. This sent his body into shock, and led to a number of complications. In all, he had to have many, many ct scans (around 20 in total), mostly head, but also chest, and one abdominal. He has the hair loss that many here have discussed, but his follow up primary care blood work also revealed a low white blood cell count. He will have follow up blood work in about 2 weeks. He is also supposed to have his follow up cerebral angiogram in August. I was told by his doctor that the radiation dose for the angiogram is lower, but I have not found this information online. Has anyone else here had a similar experience? Can one/should one, skip the follow up angiograms? Is there another, safer screening that can replace the angio? Does anyone concerned with these issues take any nutritional supplements?
Hi Iris...I can tell you that my red blood count was very bad...and I had a couple transfusions while in NICU...my white count was abnormal for over one year, but I was told it was because of all the things my body and brain had been through. Of course my red count came up with the transfusion, but it took time for the white count, no one seemed to concerned...I would say that it is good they are checking your husbands...
There is much debate about the radiation from angiograms at the age of 46 I had 5...and now at 49 I am suppose to have another for follow up...You have ever right to ask questions about it...but most Neurosurgeons consider the angiogram the "gold standard"...and usually want to do it at least one more time after the surgery, etc., there are other screening methods (CTS, MRA, etc.,), but only Doctors and Patient can make the best decision...
I am not sure I answered one of your questions...but hope that someone here can help with more decisions...~ Gotcha in my thoughts that you and your husband along with the Doctor can make the best decision for your husband...~ Colleen
Dear Colleen,
Thank you so much for responding. I sometimes worry myself sick, and I did not have anyone to talk to regarding abnormalities with blood work. Best of luck to you with your follow up!!!
It isn't just hard for us survivors Iris...it is just as hard on us caretakers...will keep you and hubby in my thoughts...but please come and share your feeling...You need an outlet too...Happy Saturday ... Colleen
Iris, usually the follow up angiogram doesn't take as long as the first one. The reason they like the follow up angio is so that they have some new baseline images from all angles of the area that was treated. That way they have images to compare to over the years to see if anything changes. Angios though in the research that I have done expose us to more radiation than a CT Scan. But, I suppose it would depend on how long the angio lasts. I too have had way too much exposure and have experienced hair loss and eyelash loss.
I pray that your husbands follow up images show that everything is holding very well.
And come to think of it - I bet my white blood cell count was off too. 3 months after my clipping I had a gangrene gallbladder removed. I was not running a fever and my white blood cell count was in the normal range. They were sending me home because they said I couldn't have an infection due to those two things. Glad I convinced them to keep me and figure out why I was in so much pain, since I did have a gallstone.
God Bless,
~ Carol