I had a coiling done just about a year ago and I passed my first angiogram a couple of months ago. I still have a few questions though and I hope someone can help me with some answers:
1. After a coiling, is the repair as "strong" as a normal vein? In other words, is the site of the aneurysm repair more likely to burst again than elsewhere in the brain?
2. I have heard that over time, the coils can compress. How stable are they after the first year? Should I be concern with how active I am? My Doctor told me that I have no restrictions but is something that is very physically taxing risky (like running in a race as opposed to just jogging)?
3. When is it safe to assume that the coils will no longer compress? Is there a certain time frame or will they continue to shift/compress ?
4. For the average patient, how many years is it recommended that they have angiograms?
Sorry for the rather lengthy list of questions but when you are in the hospital, you tend to focus on other things like will I survive, when will the headaches stop and when can I go home :) Thank you for your responses
Hi Bob...This is a good post...and I am 2 years since coiling...and my coils have compacted...I have had 4 angiograms and will not have another for about 1 1/2 years...I look forward to many responses to your post because I am curious to what others will write...My personal opinion is there are no guarantees...and eventually part of this journey is living our lives within reason...so that win and not the anuerysm...
hi bob! my sah coils had to be recoiled at 8 mths-i was told by occ therapist to never put head lower than heart. Only your nuerosurgeon can answer running questions- give them a call. i get mras now -not sure about additional angiogram,i am 3 yrs post. i've never heard of a re burst i would think a new annie would form somewhere else before that could happen but im just assuming Good luck with your questions- let us know about running- im curious. Bless you & yours!
I agree with Jo's answers but will add this. Everyone is different and things can change. Once you have one of these, regular scans would probably be a prudent lifetime thing. Non intrusive MRA is improving all the time so its not a big deal. Better to be safe than sorry.
Hi Bob, I had my 1st aneyrusm is 98, had it clipped. than had another in 2006, (leaky aneurysm, put me in a coma for 6 weeks) it was coiled...in my case I didn't have the best of care really and had no followup once I was out of the hospital with my coils -- my medical group was really, really cut rate to say the least! I didn't know the coils could fail /compact until mine did, 3 years down the line. I was lucky and went to a much better equipped hospital with an awesome staff , and was able to get the 2006 aneurysm clipped. I felt good and such after getting the coils though and I did a lot of walking to get my strength back up, so in my case I carried on just like normal (Until the compaction of the coils hit), and I never had headaches unlike many coiled survivors. I heard from my current doctor that I should've had angios' at 3 months post coiling, than 6 months, a year, than two years out....Hindsite is 20/20--and I'm feeling pretty lucky. My best to you Bob, Take care , Janet
Hello Bob, i had a sah in 2011 with coiling. Had angio every 6 months times two then mra then angio. Md said he will follow for five years. i have found everyone a little different but at least this site gives us some idea. much luck to you. donna w