Hi, I was diagnosed with a small 3mm aneurysm about a year ago. I know you have all probably heard this before but I feel like I am a walking time bomb, just waiting to explode. I had a follow up CTA today to recheck the size to make sure it isn't getting any bigger. My doctor is obviously taking a wait and see approach but this approach is driving me nuts. The more I read about aneurysms the more skeptical I become of the way and see approach. I recently moved to a town about an hour from my doc. I have continued to see him because he knows my case. I guess my question is should I seek a second opinion? Have you felt this unsure of your doctors over the course of time as well? Thanks
Thanks Jim. I appreciate your response. Do the aneurysm cause you any symptoms/issues?
Hi Rose,
When it comes to your annie, the growth factor is really what concerns most doctors -- has yours grown at all? also where the annie is located is another thing they look at, if its easy to get to or not and if not then whats the best and safest direction to go, etc.
It would sound as though you may not feel comfortable with your current doctor, and if you're not then by all means get another opinion. Its up to you, not the doctor's choice, and yes i've been in a similar situation concerning Neurosurgeons where my (former) neurosurgeon wanted to wait it out for several weeks before he could recommend a course of action (I wound up telling him "I'll be dead in 3 weeks") and that's the last I ever saw of him . I went straight to the ER of another better facility and was admitted to their hospital right away, and a clipping surgery was done within 2 days (to fix a terribly discombobulated compacted coil done at the other not so good hospital with the not so good former neurosurgeon) It was one of my better decisions in life ! my new neurosurgeon explained that as far as he could tell, I really didn't have the luxury of waiting another 3 weeks to 'see what happens'.
In this world one needs to be their own medical advocate, bottom line. Good luck to you ! Peace, Janet
Hi Rose,
Firstly, don't be remotely apologetic! It's scary stuff and you are allowed to feel conscious and wary of such a serious thing. However, I think according to all conventional wisdom out there, your doctor is giving you sound advice and dealing with you in what is medically the "right" way. Your aneurysm is very tiny and I'm assuming from your doctor's stance that your vascular health is otherwise good (no high BP problems, etc) - that means the statistical chances of anything going rapidly wrong and requiring intervention are very low. The fact that you have seen no increase in size in the course of a year, is testament to the position of the doctor that you are very very unlikely to have an immediate problem.
HOWEVER... one thing that I think all of us folks here at BAF will understand, is the mental stress of having a potentially threatening aneurysm hiding up there in our heads. Statistics are only so comforting... and there is always going to be the tiniest statistical risk that your aneurysm could rupture. From a personal perspective, I think I would find it incredibly difficult to have an untreated aneurysm because I'm a worrier... but I think in terms of relative risk, your doctor probably does have it right in your case and is giving you the best overall care for the present time.
Of course, there is no harm in getting a second opinion, or pressing further about treatment options. Find out what all your options are (in most cases there are coiling, clipping and bypass procedures medically available - but it will depend on your particular aneurysm and where it is located exactly), consider the relative risks and see what you feel most comfortable with. At the end of it all, it is you who has to live day to day with your own health - it sounds to me like your doctor is giving you good advice and taking solid care of you - but ultimately you need to go with what makes you feel comfortable and allows you to live as happily as possible.
Definitely check out all your options - finding out doesn't commit you to doing anything if you end up feeling best just monitoring closely. Good luck!
B.
Thanks Janet. I so glad to hear you listened to your gut instinct and went elsewhere for help. I am going to do the same thing. In answer to some of your questions. You are right I am not 100% comfortable with my current doctor. I think I would feel better with his decision to 'wait and see' if I didn't have constant headaches, balance issues and 'big head' feelings. I don't know if it has grown. I had a CTA today and my doc was supposed to call me today before he want home to give me that info. He didn't call, so I guess I wait until tomorrow. I do know that the aneursym is located in a difficult to reach spot (I have been told that). I have decided though after reading some of info on this sight and talking with some people on here that I will seek a second opinion at the hospital here in town. I have a copy of the first CTA report and tomorrow will have a copy of the one they did today. So I will have those when I see the new doctor. Thanks for your help.
Rose
Thanks Bruce. I appreciate your kind words, they do offer me some comfort. Like you I am worrier. I try to be strong and positive but it somehow creeps back up on me. :) I probably do know, deep down... that that stastically speaking this aneursym might not rupsture. But I don't want to be a stastic and a 'might'. I read the report on the CTA and when you see the words 'particularly worrisome for a small aneursym' printed on the report.... you tend to worry. I don't know if it has grown any since the last one because my doc didn't call me this afternoon as promised. I am sure he is busy but... I am worried! I don't smoke, I don't drink, I do have night BP but keep it somewhat under control with medication. After reading some of the info on this sight and 'talking' with some of you here I think it wise to talk with another doctor. I think it would calm some of my nerves. I am getting a copy of the new CTA tomorrow and seeking a second opinion from a doc here in town where I live now. Since I moved have been driving over an hour one way each time I see my current doc. Thanks so much for your input Bruce.
Rose
Hi Rose,
I think that's totally fair - in your shoes I'd be doing the same thing. My earlier reply was assuming the year on scan showed no growth, but hearing that you still haven't had the results on any growth then obviously that changes things a little. Did they explain why the previous scan said it was particularly worrisome? Definitely get all the information together - information is power and all that! I am sure you'll make the right decision for your own mind and feelings :)
B
hi Rose! yes absolutely, fear and uncertainty are very common, your dr seems to be right on track but a second opinion is certainly in order~~keeping you in thoughts and prayers!
Hi Rose...part of this journey for all of us is acceptance...and without it ... we live with fear...and basically are letting the aneurysm win out...even surgery makes no guarentees...so whatever we decide we need to realize the power we have over the aneurysm...by living a good life...enjoying it everyday, no stressing, no binge drinking, no smoking, lifting heavy weights, watch your weight, and get exercise etc., and when we feel good about what we are doing...we have to leave the rest to faith...I have a 9mm basilar artery tip brain aneurysm...it was coiled over 2 years ago after leaking...and it still hasn't occluded...there will be decision to make in months to come...but I am going to keep living my life...hell I could get hit by a car way before anything can happen with my brain aneurysm...not to mention I have a 2mm brain aneurysm behind my left eye...they are watching...I forget about this one often...
Now as far as not being comfortable with your Doctors decision...Yes...go for a 2nd opinion...you have that right...and that may be the one that makes you feel better...keep us posted...Take Care of You ~ Colleen
Hi Rose: I can sure relate to what you're going through. I found out about my 2 (or 3) aneurysms about 2.5 years ago. The docs couldn't even agree on how many I have but all agreed to leave them be. They're about 3mm and would require craniotomy. I was freaked out about 6 months then got on with my life. The chance of getting in a car wreck or getting hit by a lighting bolt are greater than these things rupturing I guess. All we can do is take care of ourselves, have a positive attitude and hope we have docs we can trust. By all means get a 2nd opinion, it may put your mind at rest about it all. Wishing you the best. :)
Welcome! I share your fear. I was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with my "annie" and will be seeing a neurosurgeon today and most likely will have the coiling and stent put in next week. Mine is 5+ mm.
If you are uncomfortable, get another opinion for sure. I couldn't stand the "wait and see" approach. I am going nuts now just thinking about it in my brain.
I hope you get a second opinion!
Yes. I went to a local doc first but didn't feel good about it. Had to travel for second doc but think it was a good decision. Not something you want to mess with.
Hi Rose,
Your health - your annie - ultimately all decisions are yours to make. If you don't want them to 'wait and see' and tell them that and ask for a more pro-active approach.
Kind regards,
Maddie
Hi Bruce, I now have the results of the 2nd scan and a new doctor. Its amazing how comforting a knowledgeable and caring neurosurgeon can do for you. :) Though I haven't actually seen him in person he had a calming effect on me over the phone (I am not normally high strung so this is hard for me to handle ...I am back to normal yeah!! lol). He agreed that I was indeed reading the 2nd report right, there has been no growth since the last scan. We have set up an appointment at which time he will review the pictures on the disk of the full scans with his own eyes. If I need him in the mean time he is right here in town. It was very reassuring. I will ask his suggestion about a neurologist here in the area once I meet him. You are right information is power, thanks
Thanks Ron, you are right fear of the unknown... or known and the uncertainty of it all can make you nuts. I actually am seeking a second opinion. The new doc has reviewed the reports (not the actually scans yet) and so far agrees that wait and see is a sound approach. I meet with him in person in early September. We will evaluate my options at that time. He was very reassuring. Thanks Ron
Thanks Colleen, you are right about the acceptance thing. I thought I was there until this next scan was upon me. I have done pretty good over the past year... only really thinking about this aneurysm at times when I was experiencing symptoms. I am fairly new to all this so forgive me if I press or ask the wrong question.. but what or is a basilar artery tip aneurysm? I have read up on what and where mine is but haven't seen that before. I have been in contact with a new neurosurgeon here locally and am feeling way more secure in my health. He has reviewed the reports and will review the full scans when he meets me in early Sept. In the meantime, I am heading to the Outer Banks on Sunday for a week of fun and relaxation! Thanks for your reassuring words Colleen, keep in touch.
Hi Mitch, thanks for writing. Wow, I worry about my one small aneurysm and some people like you and others have multiple and bigger and more dangerous ones. Its amazing to me how many people have them, how common they actually are. People on here along with you have encouraged me to stop dwelling on this and actually live my life which believe it or now, I have actually been doing that for the past year. It has been the scheduling over this scan that kind of made me tail spin for a bit. lol Thank goodness I am not like that all the time.. that is certainly not where I want to be mentally. Where are your aneurysms located? How often do you have to follow-up on them? Thanks for writing. :)
Hi Jeannie. Thanks, I did get a second opinion. He has reviewed the scan reports but not the actual scans. I feel comfortable with waiting the week or two until I actually meet with him. We will evaluate our options at that time. How did your appointment go today? How did you find your neurosurgeon? Do you have family close by to help you out? My thoughts are with you. Please keep in touch :)
Thanks Lily, I ended up finding a new doc right here in town. I feel much better mentally than I did. I am still a bit anxious but nothing like I was. Thanks so much.
Thanks Maddie. I will keep your advice in mind when I meet with the doctor in a few weeks. I guess I didn't think about guiding the decision, I have pretty much gone with the suggested path...never thought about suggesting anything different. I am glad I am getting a second opinion, you never know.. perhaps this doc will give me the option of other choices. Thanks Maddie