Hi everyone. THree years ago I was diagnosed with three unruptured aneurysms. Two were large and on the same vessel (left opthalmic) the other was a small Right PCOM. I went to John Hopkins and Mayo clinic where they both dismissed the smaller one on the right and both agreed that the larger ones needed treatment asap. A pipline flowdiverter was the decision from both specialists and that was done obliterating the two large aneurysms.. No problem, now, they want to re-evaluate the small one on the right and possibly clip it or put coils in. it is a long trip for me to Minnisota with such uncertainty. As much as I do not want a crainiotomy I feel as though it is the most certain way to be rid of this pest. Any suggestions? Have any of you had clipping for an unruptured annie?
It appears that recovery from a clipping surgery will take longer than a coiling procedure. Although, the mortality and morbidity rates seems to be about the same. With coiling you will need to continue regular CTA or MRA scans. With clipping you will not need to do so. I had a large aneurysm rupture three years ago, was in the hospital for fifteen days, They clipped it. I was able to return to work after three months off. I will go in for another aneurysm clipping July twenty first. I will be in the hospital for three-four days. Will be able to return to work six weeks after surgery. I had no choice of clipping or coiling. But, I have read where people must have their coils redone. Still not sure given the choice if i would clip or coil. Gather all the information you can. Make an informed decision. Let us know what you decide
Dear Masterplumber,
Thanks for the information. It is a long trip to make to Minn. with such uncertainty. I do think he is leaning towards a clip. six weeks off isn't the end of the world
Masterplumber said:
It appears that recovery from a clipping surgery will take longer than a coiling procedure. Although, the mortality and morbidity rates seems to be about the same. With coiling you will need to continue regular CTA or MRA scans. With clipping you will not need to do so. I had a large aneurysm rupture three years ago, was in the hospital for fifteen days, They clipped it. I was able to return to work after three months off. I will go in for another aneurysm clipping July twenty first. I will be in the hospital for three-four days. Will be able to return to work six weeks after surgery. I had no choice of clipping or coiling. But, I have read where people must have their coils redone. Still not sure given the choice if i would clip or coil. Gather all the information you can. Make an informed decision. Let us know what you decide
If you decide on clipping, ask the neuro surgeoun to use glue, not staples. You wont notice the scar with glue, thats what i used.
OK, where was your incision?
Mine was on the left side, strarting in front of my ear, running vertical up to halfway up the forehead, then turned and went to within a inch of my eyebrow
I have no idea where mine will be, there are so many uncertainties, I am going to email the PA today and ask her where the incision would be if we do go that route. I am guessing he is planning to do something or he would just have me do an angiogram in my home town. I guess I should buy a ticket for a week in Minnisota. I so much appreciate you staying in touch with me. I started this journey three years ago and the first two aneurysms seemed to be a walk in the park, I can't believe it will be that easy with this one but maybe I have to start thinking positively. Are you a plumber? I am a Nurse Practitioner which compliates my decisions
yes, I'm a plumber. Fortunately, I have a great group of guys that work for me and help me out. I have found stubborness and goal setting have helped me through some difficult moments in the past three years. My motto is now "never give up, nevever surrender". If a fifty eight year old plumber can go back to work and still live an enjoyable life, A nurse practitioner can do the same. Hang in there
Christine....only suggestion as you note distance to Mayo....Ask them if you can have your angio update local to you and shipped to them...for their update? Would a CTA be sufficient update?
Wishing you best decisions/results..
Hi Christine,
There are many of us here, including me, who have undergone clipping unruptured aneurysms. We do want we need to do to get through the procedure, and then move on. As for me, I thought very long and hard about having the clipping, and finally bit the bullet and got it done. I think the emotional roller coaster is perhaps has stressful as the actual procedure! My clipping was done about 11 months ago, and I am incredibly thankful that I am now free of the anxiety that I had knowing I had an aneurysm. It has to a certain extent been liberating. Its a personal decision regarding how much risk you are willing to live with. I am very risk adverse, and so finally I decided to get it done.
I frankly think clipping is better than coiling since there is less exposure to radiation.
Good luck!
Michele
Michele...thank you for your input...re: rad levels a/w/a 'contrast dye' ..beginning in late 2011...thru mid-2014...all my questions were deleted from this site...Each step, day by day, quarter to quarter - year to year ...we may be able to promote for the impacts of both rad and contrast materials...Thank you for your input...
As for clipping...we just must pray for the quality training/results of the neurosurgeon...which really are likely not greater than that need for endovascular procedures...ranging from the groin thru the body by the heart to the neck to the brain.. .
I had an MRA locally, they couldn't get a read that was good enough. He really wants to do it all at Mayo
patioplans said:
Christine....only suggestion as you note distance to Mayo....Ask them if you can have your angio update local to you and shipped to them...for their update? Would a CTA be sufficient update?
Wishing you best decisions/results..
My mom's wasn't clipped, I think it had ruptured. She also had some hydrocephaly (not good on spelling) so they had to do two procedures. One was the coiling procedure that was done by the interventional radiologist. That was second. The first one was putting an external drain in to get rid of some of the excess CSF and relieve the pressure in the brain.
I had ACOM and A1 clipped 12/10/2015. I went home 12/11/2015. Unusually fast. I was back to work at the end of January 2016. I had some short term memory issues at first but they seemed to get better. I had staples and my scar is not bad. Unfortunately I was in a car accident on 5/2/2016 and suffered a concussion. So this has complicated my recovery because I can’t tell if I am having symptoms from the concussion or the surgery. Of course I smacked my head where my surgery was. I really hated the angiogram so I am delighted I don’t have to repeat.
Hi Michele how long did you battle headache, nausea and general pain and fatigue?
Michele said:
Hi Christine,
There are many of us here, including me, who have undergone clipping unruptured aneurysms. We do want we need to do to get through the procedure, and then move on. As for me, I thought very long and hard about having the clipping, and finally bit the bullet and got it done. I think the emotional roller coaster is perhaps has stressful as the actual procedure! My clipping was done about 11 months ago, and I am incredibly thankful that I am now free of the anxiety that I had knowing I had an aneurysm. It has to a certain extent been liberating. Its a personal decision regarding how much risk you are willing to live with. I am very risk adverse, and so finally I decided to get it done.
I frankly think clipping is better than coiling since there is less exposure to radiation.
Good luck!
Michele
Michelle, my husband felt the stress of knowing the aneurysm was in his head also. He decided on clipping, but he did not have the choice of coiling, as he was not a candidate. The stress and anxiety before the procedure was way worse than procedure itself.
Well I’ve been to see the neurosurgeon today- one of my 2 aneurysms is coilable. My other aneurysm is more complex and clipping is the only option as treating it endovascularly puts me at an unacceptable risk of a stroke- there is an artery branching off or something.like that- I’ve decided that I may as well have both clipped rather than having 2 procedures- I feel more at peace now I know the situation and have made a definitive decision- I think the not knowing what my options were was worse and the surgeon has told me that clipping should not need any further monitoring- the fact that coiling wasn’t an option for one made my decision easier
It is good that you have found some peace now having made the decision. Have faith that all will be good. I hope my latest news will be inspiring:
In August, one year after my clipping, I went to Peru and walked extensively in the high mountains. I visited a glacier at 17,200 feet! I was so joyful knowing that I did not need to worry about my aneurysm. I have been so cautious not wanted to push myself too much physically for four years before my clipping, which is when I was first diagnosed. It has been my way of life not to want to exert myself too much. My trip to Peru made me think that, perhaps, I really am over this thing.
For me, now more than one year after my operation, the clipping has been worth it.
I wish you well, Michele
Michele...I am so happy...so pleased for you...and, feel so blessed you can acknowledge (spread - market) your open surgery results... It is so warming.....after the results of my minimally invasive marketed so highly.. 13 years later, I cannot be confident of my walking / balance...and, I had only one very small aneurysm... I am not at all a believer in the highly profiteered coiling/stentiing...
You were so blessed in your decision...prayers you will share over and over and over...for your magnificent results in your decision...because I can share horror stories well beyond mine...for the minimally invasive procedures...
I envy your trip to Peru...warm hugs...patio.
Hi Michele, Thanks for the information. I had my clipping done August 11th and went back to work October 11th. My aneurysm ruptured during the procedure and they had to clamp the main artery for 2 minutes. I have a bit of memory issues and numbness on the top of my head and still physically healing but it great to know it is gone. I agree. Now my students are done for the semester and I have only 5 days left and I will be on Holiday until after the New Year. Planning to rest up, eat good foods, watch movies, and heal more. Christine