Newly diagnosed with 7mm ICA via CT angiogram and MRI. No symptoms. Cerebral Angiogram has been recommended. Am 76 years old. Looking for members in my age range who decided to watch and wait or to continue with procedures, including diagnostic angiogram. Trying to decide. Thank you!
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Welcome! I just turned 64 and grateful for that birthday! The angiogram has been the gold star for determining stability of aneurysms. I never take them lightly and I’ve got several under my belt since I ruptured. We do have to consider any and all health issues. I hope other members will give you better insight.
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Thank you
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Mine was found in Dec 2022–4mm ICA via CT to find source of pulsatile tinnitis (no anwer there). Had 2 more CTs since showing about 4-5mm. MRA in August showed still about 4mm. I’m doing watch & wait. I’ll be 68 in November, and I am “holding on” until after January 20* to decide what to do. I’ve researched signs to be aware of that aneurysm is about to burst, and wear a medical ID bracelet with my diagnosis. So I am as prepared as I can be. This forum has been very helpful with what to expect after surgery/coiling/etc.
*family matter will be resolved.
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Thank you. I have the angiogram scheduled but at my age I wonder whether I am taking too much of a risk by having this procedure. I had an MRI in 2017 that the docs now say shows the aneurysm was there then, even though the report did not show this at the time. In short, I may have been living with this unknowingly for at least seven years. Leave well enough alone ? Hard decision. I appreciate your offering your own experience in reply to my question.
It’s a really hard decision, I have learned that sometimes Radiologists get it wrong. I said something to Dr Q-W that I didn’t want her in my brain when I was 80, after my 3rd repair I think it was. She told me not to worry, she wouldn’t do anything once I turned 80. So I’m looking at 80 as my magic number. Both my parents passed when they were 84 but I’ve had Aunts and Great Aunts that lived closer or over 100. One of the downsides of rupturing is early dementia.
From what I’ve learned since my rupture, it’s all about location and type. Mine was bound to have ruptured because of the type. 5mm multi-lobed on LICA bifurcation. Pretty much where it splits to the ACA as that’s where my stent is now. Never knew a thing about cerebral aneurysms prior. They also look to see if it’s growing. Some never grow.
Have you made a pro and con list to see which outweighs the other? Sometimes that can help. Let us know when you’re having your angiogram if you decide to go ahead with it please.
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Thank you for your reply. The pro list would be that the test could indicate whether I need imminent treatment. I’m not sure I want to know whether there are more aneurysms. The con list would be losing some facility due to stroke. I am also concerned about damaging eyesight since the aneurysm is apparently in the ophthalmic region. I also wouldn’t want to be sick for some days because of the angiogram, should that happen. I am perfectly healthy now in other ways and have no symptoms. I am scheduled for the angiogram on 10/3. All the neuro docs recommend it but concede that it is my decision.
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Hi
My husband is on watch and wait and has been since he found out about aneurysm a few years ago. Yet it was seen in 2016 in a routine screening but the doctor failed to tell him! The paperwork was signed off by our doctor without him writing to advise of the presence of the aneurysm!! Needless to say this came as a huge shock!!
Anyway the risks were even. 5% risk of side effects if he has coiling or 5% risk of it rupturing in his lifetime. Hubby is quite active despite having other health problems so decided to wait and watch. If he had the procedure and God forbid had a stroke he wouldn’t have any quality of life. He is also aged 76yrs. Hes just had his last scan and its stable.
Its a hard decision but do what is best for you.
Elaine.
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Thank you, Elaine. May I ask a couple of questions? 1. Is his at least 7mm or larger? 2. Did he undergo a diagnostic cerebral angiogram? Or was he diagnosed only with a CTA or MRI exam? I’m trying to decide whether to go through with the diagnostic cerebral angiogram. Thanks again for your reply! Barbara
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Thank you! I can remember the 3rd as that’s the day I go meet the orthopedic surgeon for my shoulder!
I had my last repair because of my activity level during the pandemic. We had a zoom meeting and she asked what I had been doing. Moving cinder block. Then she asked if I was planning on gardening, “yes ma’am” so the stent was installed. Apparently I’m a bit to active 
. Fortunately I didn’t need the before angiogram, the MRI/A showed her all she needed to see.
I recall BH needed to have surgery and we met with the anesthesiologist a couple days before the surgery. He missed some of the risks and I called him on it. He said stroke was pretty low on the scale and he doesn’t want to worry his patients. What does BH go and do? Had a stroke the day before the surgery, out of the blue! tPA was administered after the CT scan and boy is that ever a miracle drug! A cardiologist entered and now BH has meds. Cholesterol was never in the risks for BH but medication was prescribed for it. I’m sharing this and typing too much for my shoulder to show you we never know what’s in the future, stuff happens.
I’ve never developed another aneurysm so I count my lucky stars. I can really understand your dilemma. Although I wish I hadn’t ruptured, I probably would have ignored it if I knew I had one. Hospitals aren’t my favorite place to go.
I have been reading some of the angiogram experiences on the Brain Aneurysym Survivors Facebook group site and it isn’t pretty. Wish I had information from someone my age with an unruptured aneurysm who had the angiogram and can tell me how well they went through it. Thank you.
I tried using our search feature to narrow down age groups but was unsuccessful. I don’t do FB so I can’t respond to what those folks say. I think most of us here don’t have major complications from their angiograms. We do have members over 70. I’ll reach out to @ModSupport and see if they know a better way to search.
Thank you!
Hi. So there’s no easy way to search for people of a certain age but I had a look this morning and within a few minutes found a handful of people who are of a certain age or whose parent is of that age.
If any of these ladies can share how they or their mum or dad got on, that would be most helpful: @veryvee @pchefdi @Sandra @lynnH @Joybells @JessicaM @Cheryl_B
Best wishes,
Richard
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I’ve also found a handful of others who are in their seventies or whose parents are in their seventies. @LLL @Jackie_JJ @MonikaH @Shirlgirl @mcelly
When I read the stories about these people, a number of them are discovering their aneurysm after it has gone pop.
Ladies, if you could share your experience of angiograms or surgery with @seniorlady that would be most helpful.
Very best wishes,
Richard
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Hi. I am Joybells. I am 18 years post coiling and am well. Neither of my parents had brain aneurysms. Mine was found by accident after I had had a fall. They thought I had a TIA, but after scan with contrast, there it was, it looked like a garden gnome.
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Oh my. So glad you are better now. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thank you!
I am 78 and have a large unruptured aneurysm found in Nov., 2022. I am doing Watch and Wait. I didn’t need an angiogram because the MRA/MRI told the neurosurgeon and the intervention radialogist all they needed. The neurosurgeon explained choosing God had a slightly higher success rate than choosing coiling. The same intervention radiologist has read each of my MRI/MRA x rays. He has not reached out to me, but my GP is gathering the latest results and will make a referral for me to see him after that. I don’t think I’ll change my choice, but I do want to discuss coiling with him. I’ll let you know if he mentions an angiogram. My anny is very large, .95 Centimeters by .85 Centimeters. It is in my right temporal lobe and shaped like a teardrop. The fat part of the teardrop is the sac below the small bulge of the aneurysm. Personally, I suspect it may be too large to coil, although noone has said that.
I do fine trusting in God daily, because I have done that since I was four years old., never having one single doubt ever, not even for second.
Stay in touch and keep us updated.
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