I should say that I mentioned parents only because some of our members have signed up as patients themselves and some have signed up while it was their parent who had an aneurysm: so if you’re over 70 and had to go through the choice of do an angiogram / do a coiling or clipping or whatever, please share your experience. If it was your mum or dad who is over 70 and went through these things, please share how they got on.
Thank you to Shirl and Joy for sharing so far.
Richard
Thank you!
Thank you for replying. Have you had the angiogram yet? Also, have you taken any long distance trips by plane since diagnosed? I am concerned about that. Again, thank you!
I am not on those lists, but I am 71 and had coils and a stent for an unruptured aneurysm last October. It was found after I had a mini stroke. Going in, the neuro didn’t know if it would be a clip or he could do the other procedure. (Earlier) In my early 20’s, I had undiagnosed antiphospholipid antibody (APS) syndrome (clot-y blood) for decades, and felt very lucky once properly diagnosed after DVT and PE’s, only diagnosed in my 60’s. These antibodies also attack and weaken the blood vessel linings, so the brain aneurysm wasn’t good news. The neurosurgeon said, if you were my Mom, I’d ask you if you want to live another 10 or 20 years? That was a little dramatic, but these aneurysms are dramatic, aren’t they. Anyway it helped me think about my tolerance for taking a risk with disability or death from a rupture. Mine was big enough that the neuro said it would be the latter for me. I went ahead, did well with the angio, and was glad I didn’t have to have the clipping. Since the surgeries (a second to reposition the stent), I have stage 3 glaucoma in both eyes, and my lifelong severe migraines have eased. Good luck
seniorlady.
Thank you!!
Hi. Not quite 70, but close enough 
I had an unruptured 8mm LICA with eventual coil. Had CTA head and neck, followed by MRI with and without contrast. I was trying to avoid the Angio, but after review the interdisciplinary team said there was not enough info to map out the route.Therefore, cerebral Angio was on the table.
The Angio only took about an hour and a half. They gave me some medication to relax me. My body resisted all the drugs they gave me, so I was wide awake for the whole thing. Worst part for me was when they put the needle in my groin to access the artery, it it wasn’t that bad.
Went to recovery for a couple hours, then home without any issues. I actually worked remotely from home the next day. For me, the procedure was pretty easy, not that I want to do it again! Good luck on October 3rd! Please let us know how things go.
Thank you!
Hi Barbara -
I have been staying quiet, since I have yet to be classed as a senior, but I did want to chime in and send good thoughts for your MRA tomorrow.
As a matter of fact I was thinking about you today! My speech pathologist had recommended a book to me "“You Look Great!” Strategies for Living Inside a Brain Injury, and today was the first day I was able to dive in a little while waiting at doctor’s appointments. The book is written by a gentleman who had a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and the book is pretty much all about TBIs, not aneurysms since ours are “acquired.” I still find myself laughing and saying “oh yes,” so I am finding it of value.
What made me think of you is that he has an appendix called “Tips for Getting Through an MRI.” I know this is super last minute (sorry things went haywire for me today), but wanted to share if it should be of any help. I have not tried myself, but the next time I will! (For me, I just close my eyes once I hit the platform, and they stay shut the entire time until I am done. 
)
If you are not a person of faith, you might want to skip over those sections, and he also has an alternative as well towards the end.
You’re going to do great!!
Thank you!
How did your angiogram go?
You stole the words from my mouth, @Moltroub! 
Hope you are doing o.k., and are recovered from the MRA @seniorlady!!
Hello, everyone. I had my angiogram yesterday and it went well. I am only a little tired today. The doctor says I have a 1 percent chance of rupture and that I likely have had this aneurysm for a very long time. He did find another very small one on the left side which he said is not of concern. The decision of whether to fix the 7mm one with a stent or surgery is up to me. The interventional radiologist would do the stent procedure. I am also seeing a surgeon to get his opinion. For now, I feel much better having this step behind me and leaning that what was seen does not merit an emergency surgery. Thanks again for all your support. I truly appreciate it!
What wonderful news!! So glad you got this update, and at least you can rest with an easier mind.
Let us know what you decide after you see the surgeon.
Thank you for updating us and with such good news, that’s fantastic! Getting different opinions always reminds me of getting different bids from tradespeople for a job, sorry we’ve had a lot of those in our life for the past couple of years.
Keep hydrated it helps to get the dye out of your system.
Again, thanks to my supporters! And thanks for the reminder to stay hydrated. I’m doing that. Have a great day!
