Four mm aneurysm on carotid near left eye. Just found December 2022, and waiting to see what follow up CTA in June shows. I’m female, 66.
Trying not to worry, since there really isn’t anything I can do about the “time bomb” in my head.
Pulse jumps to over 100 when I get out of bed, but not POTS. Limit my grass cutting to 1/4 yard at a time to reduce length of increased pulse of >125. Doctor has me on Metoprolol and I have high (familial) cholesterol. Due to GERD, I sleep on my left side to keep stomach acid down, but occasionally had headaches on the left side.
Afraid doing too much will cause rupture. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
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When I was in the hospital after my rupture they said to not strain. So they put me on stool softeners. They told me not to blow my nose. Not blowing my nose isn’t possible for the rest of my life and I didn’t want to stay on stool softeners… so I just try not to do things that create more strain. Be aware of what you are doing and check with your doctor. Good luck
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@Ralf
I will second what @R1ck said , don’t strain but I think to use stool softener is a good thing. Be careful if you have to blow your nose. I would definitely recommend that you ask your neurosurgeon about this. Are you able to send a message or call the nurses, they might know as well?
To my understanding moderate exercise, like walking or bicycling will only do you good. Don’t bend over with your head lowered if you can avoid it. Keep your blood pressure under control. Don’t smoke. No drugs. No heavy lifting.
I personally have a healthy lifestyle, I walk a lot, is not overweight, don’t smoke, no drugs, blood pressure under control etc…. But unfortunately it didn’t help in my case, my aneurysm that I didn’t know existed ruptured one morning after I had my breakfast.
It’s scary to know that you have a brain aneurysm but hopefully everything will be fine, it’s a good thing that it is being monitored.If your neurosurgeon recommends that you should continue to watch and wait and you don’t feel comfortable with that then you can always get a second opinion on your case. I understand that many members of our site have had that.
Good luck and get back to us in this forum as often as you need to.
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Ralf,
The question I would ask is: what made you discover the aneurysm? I ask because, if activity was causing symptoms of concern then you are correct to limit it. I believe, though, you are right to not freeze on any activity. I agree with @oct20 that minimal exercise will only strengthen you and help you. I didn’t know I had an aneurysm, but I happened to be at my most fit when my aneurysm burst and I believe that my body strength aided in and pulled me through the healing challenges.
You know you – listen to your body. And don’t be afraid to speak up and challenge a doctor if you are feeling you are not being heard.
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It was a CTA for pulsatile tinnitus that showed the aneurysm. And something on the left parotid gland. Nothing shown for the tinnitus! So, I go to ENT May 10 for parotid question.
Previous doctor a year ago ignored my tinnitus complaint. Was transferred to “Geriatric” clinic; the doctor there had never heard of pulsatile tinnitus, but she looked it up. She then ordered the CTA and got a grateful Thank You note from me!
Good reasons to do your own research at reliable medical sites–Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, etc.
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I exercise a lot for my age and health issues according to my doctors and I do most things wrong, like heavy lifting when my limit is 40 pounds. My BP has never been high unless if in a lot of pain and when my Neurosurgeon used triple H therapy. I was on metoprolol but was taken off of it. For some reason the ED RN put down I had high blood pressure, the more common use I suppose, when it was for tachycardia before I took my helicopter ride and now can’t get it off my medical records.
I am allowed to do moderate exercise, I can’t run anymore but I love walking. I think it’s more blood pressure you need to watch than your pulse which is supposed to increase with exercise. I used to see a cardiologist they had to give me medicine to get it as high as they wanted because even in a treadmill I remained pretty much 120 which was also my usual resting rate. But ask your doctor as I have no medical degree whatsoever.
I lived with my 8mm paraclinoid aneurysm for a year before it was treated, had no symptoms, it was found in a screening. My doctor did not limit my activities at all, although he mentioned if I were a huge weight lifter he might. I skiied, hiked, played tennis, did yard work and scuba diving, all with his approval. Was back to all of those again within a month of coils and a flow diverter.
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Hi. I’m a total newbie here and in starting this mind-blowing journey. Sorry for the bad pun!
Quick backstory: last Nov.6 I experienced sudden onset partial blindness (left eye went black). It took until the 11th to get me admitted to my local hospital, because my FL coastline was hit by a hurricane.
By the 14th, my team of drs. had a positive diagnosis of AION. The O N stands for Optic Neuropathy. My autoimmune system sent out a errant signal that the nerves behind my left eye had an invader. They didn’t, so my attack squad ate up the perfectly healthy nerves, causing irreparable blindness. That morning of the 14th, the neurologist on my team insisted on an MRI and MRA of my brain.
This confirmed the AION, but, totally unrelated, the scans showed an aneurysm in my left front lobe.
They did not tell me that until the evening of the 17th when the Neurologist and three other doctors on my team came into my room to discharge me.
So here I sit, a 76 year old Gramma, who just spent five months accepting and adjusting to partial blindness. I just put the aneurysm on ice. I couldn’t even think about. I focused on avoiding trips and falls, dropping everything I tried to put in or take out of the frig and cupboards (no depth perception left…my right got totally angry and shut down.
Now, I doing well. I don’t need a walker anymore and can even drive. One good eye is legal in FL.
But…should I drive? Do those of you who are non ruptured drive?
My aneurysm is small but shows a large sac under it that isn’t supposed to be there.
Odds from my neurosurgeon were what he called his “1:1:5”
theory based on his 30 year experience: aneurysm only grow 1percent per year; if I do nothing and trust God or Universal Power, there is only a 1 percent risk of rupture; if I chose coil surgery, the only choice he mentioned, there is a 5 percent risk of something going really wrong in surgery.
I’m going with the do nothing.
I’ve had 15 surgeries. The last in 2008 went very badly. I ended up in respiratory arrest was put on life support, and into an induced coma. I think my body cannot handle any more surgeries.
So, help me deal. Lots of people are against me driving, or riding my 3 wheeler, or going to Disneyland, or flying around to visit my kids.
I have no headaches. I have my normal conditions at normal levels. I do get awfully tired and spend at least one day a week in bed, sleeping.
I’m plagued by nightmares about real things I’m my past and real people. I’m use to happy dreams.
Most important, I only get hungry once every day or two.
AND, I have no ambition. I only want to drive two miles to sit in my car at the beach for three hours, then come home and watch TV. I think I need therapy, yes?
Welcome and thanks for posting! Wow, 15 surgeries is a lot and I don’t blame you for not wanting another. I have only 8 behind me and was told I qualified for yet another and my Neurosurgeon knew I wouldn’t want it until there’s no choice but to have it or be paralyzed. So I’m being as careful as I can when I remember to and I still do the one PT exercise I’m allowed, which isn’t much at all.
I would ask you doctor and not the people who are trying to tether you. See what your doctor says about driving, going to visit your family and even Disneyland or Disneyworld! Though I don’t see any issues in any of what you want to do, but I’m not a doctor.
When I was young, I had a neighbor who was legally blind in one eye and she drove quite well. She said it was just getting accustomed to the different vision and she turned her head a lot to keep everything in sight.
If you are being plagued by nightmares, no ambition and have no desire to eat, I’d definitely recommend a therapist. I’d also set myself some small goals to help improve my ambition. I set goals for myself everyday and am quite pleased when I get them done. My goals always start with making the bed as soon as I get up (thanks Mom😂). That simple act starts me off on the right foot every day. I also think of something I’ve seen that is positive before I go to sleep, like a pretty flower, or the trees in full leaf now or a bird. Something that makes me feel good about the day. Hang in there!
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To Ralf:
Amen. Glad to hear that. Huge advocate here of doing your own research, as a patient, to complement the training and experience of medical professionals. They aren’t infallible, after all. I’ve had several occasions where a suggested course of action of mine, which was derived from research, produced a very productive result. P.S. The Cleveland Clinic is my personal best. They aren’t afraid to test official narratives.