Hi
I just had a vertigo episode and did scans in hospital where they found a 5 mm ICA Paraclinoid aneurysm and 2mm ACA aneurysm. The doctor wasn’t concerned about the small one but he did find the same 5mm ICA aneurysm in a scan I did 9 years ago and it was missed. He said that aneurysm is unchanged over the 9 years and asked me to come back in 6 months for a contrast dye CT scan. I have low platelets (ITP) and can’t take long term blood thinners. I’m 38 and have two babies. I’m petrified by this diagnosis. I worry about going through any treatment and don’t even know what my options would be. My doctor thinks it’s okay to do a wait and watch approach as the aneurysm hasn’t changed over 9 years and the location of it makes it low risk of rupture he said 1% across my life time. I did have natural labour and pushed out my daughter with that aneurysm, a pregnancy, heavy lifting, travelling etc. I also had to take blood thinners for 9 months during the pregnancy to sustain the pregnancy and had some what low platelets during that time. During all that time I’ve had the aneurysm and didn’t even know. I don’t know what to do now. Wait and watch or push for treatment. I worry every day that it might burst while I’m alone with my babies. I just don’t know what to do. I was never expecting this as I don’t have family history and have never hear of aneurysms. I guess I don’t know what I’m looking for, support, advice, some of your stories. I feel pretty lost and alone with this.
Welcome Sursan! I’ve moved your topic to the General category in hopes more members will reply. First, take deep slow breaths. It does our bodies no good to get stressed either with an aneurysm or an AID. Stress just seems to exacerbate everything, doesn’t it?
Children are exciting! I love to watch them learn and play. Before I left for college, I always hid the Easter eggs for my sister’s children, a neighbor’s little girl and a handful of others. The neighbor’s little girl became quite upset when I wasn’t coming home one year for Easter. She adamantly believed the Easter Bunny wouldn’t come either.
. I believe all children should know what to do in an emergency and how to call Emergency Services in their area. It’s something I used to teach when I worked with families, reinforcing what our schools taught. I believe Australia uses 000. Are your children old enough to learn to call? In the county I worked in, we could let Communications know we were doing a practice run. I often shook my head that a seven year old would know exactly what to do whilst their teen sibling would not. I used a fire as an example. The teen always wanted to call their Mom at work first before dialing 911, with the younger knowing to get out of the house and then call 911. My parents having grown up during the Great Depression always taught us to prepare for the worst but expect the best. I know it’s generally hope for the best but Dad changed it. He strongly believed in a positive attitude.
I recall when I went to my first appointment with Dr. Q-W, her mentioning most aneurysms are never found and rarely rupture, thus people live theirs lives without knowing about theirs. Medical science has grown leaps and bounds since then and there are a couple ways to repair aneurysms before they rupture that doesn’t involve blood thinners that I can think of off the top of my head - glue or coils. We have a couple of members who had glue used. I do believe craniotomy procedures require them and I know stents do as I’ve got one and had to be on Plavix for a short time and 81 mg aspirin for the rest of my life. Coils do not and I’m unsure about glue.
When you’re researching stick to trusted medical journals and websites. These will give you the best information. Make sure whatever statistics you read about are verified, meaning they’re backed up by actual subjects in the study. If the statistics are not supported, then they are not true mathematically speaking. Remember research is always changing in the world of cerebral aneurysms. I remember a very large study that used to be quoted by other researchers a lot. Then another came out that in effect disputed the “popular” one. Seemed to me there were some politics at play, now neither shows up much in research papers. Also know that there’s two types that get published actual research where there are x number of patients in the study (usually a small number of subjects because we’re rare) and an article or paper where a group has looked at research and compiled the numbers.
Sometimes we just have to trust our doctors. We’ve actually had more members join I believe ( I don’t know the numbers) who like you, had an aneurysm found incidentally because of one image and put on the watch and wait list. They then get follow up imaging (CTA or MRA) every six months or longer if it’s not growing. Some receive a diagnostic angiogram where the surgeon goes in and looks at our cerebral arteries. We’ve even had several who found out by the angiogram that they didn’t have an aneurysm. Seems if our aneurysms aren’t growing the surgeon more often than not chooses not to do anything.
We are here for you, any questions you have, feel free to ask and we will do our best to answer them. In the meantime please learn to do any relaxation breathing you feel the easiest and practice all the time.
Hi @Sursan -
I am so happy that you reached out to voice your fears, concerns, and questions. Please continue to do so as you go through this journey - we are here for you!
One thing we note that everyone’s journey seems to be unique, but of course, we have a whole lot in common! That being said, you are NOT lost and alone any more!!! We stand here with you to support you in your questions, concerns or just to listen.
I am part of the Ruptured/Coil/Stent club. What that translates to is that my aneurysm burst (I had no idea, and family history was learned after the rupture!), and then I have spent the past couple of years getting things back in control. To do that, I have had endovascular surgery, which means that my doctor goes in through my blood vessels to do the repairs. For a related issue, I have had to have more traditional brain surgery …my hair is stil growing out after last year’s procedure, but I hide it so no one knows unless they know. 
What I have learned is how amazing modern medicine is. Truly! My neuro team thinks I am nuts as I am fascinated by what they can do, and what small spaces they can work in - I think it is miraculous!! From what I gather from the group, developments are happening by leaps and bounds in short periods of time, so also be sure to focus on recent information, as even information from a few years ago is dated.
Most importantly, you have already shown what a loving and caring parent you are … which is why you are here caring for yourself! Throughout my journey, I was encouraged to take up meditation/mindfulness. Pre-rupture (and post- too!), I am a descendant of the Western, scientific world - that would not have appealed!
However, I did start practicing, and I will say how much it has helped to calm me down, and reduce some worry and anxiety. My wearables say it works too! Within them, you will certainly come across breathing exercises as @Moltroub suggests, and they can do wonders to just take a few minutes for YOU! There are a ton out there, and I use several, but can talk about them some more if you would like.
Sorry for the delay in responding - I have been under the weather (not aneurysm related though), but I am glad you are here with us!
Fin Whale Fan 
Hi @Sursan and welcome to the community! There are some really outstanding folks here, so you are not alone going through this. I had no idea of what an aneurysm was until I had one rupture back in February, which left me in NICU for exactly three weeks. I count my good graces every day that I’ve been able to have a second lease on life. It’s ok to feel scared as it is a scary thing. That being said, I would, as others have suggested, work on some stress mitigation techniques and, most importantly, give yourself plenty of grace. This is an outstanding community of people from all over the world and everyone is here to support one another as we progress through this journey.
Hi Susan,
This is definitely an informative and supportive website. I learned about my aneurysm before it burst also. My doctors decided to monitor it for any changes. I had an annual scan to determine any growth. It was ten years before the size increased to where my doctors thought surgery was the best option. I have to say I went many years without any changes but then due to some unforeseen circumstances I began worrying a lot. I wish I would have know about this site then.
As my stress increased so did the size of my aneurysm. At that time they decided surgery was my best option. My neurologist performed the coil method. Surgery took longer than expected which really scared my husband but everything went well.
It took several weeks to recover but life is good and I feel very blessed. I’m just over ten years post surgery and enjoy spending time with my husband, golfing, crafting, traveling and hosting Ladies Days Out at my church. My recommendation to you is continue to investigate and learn about your condition, relax and enjoy your life. If anything or anyone causes you stress avoid them. Continue to consult with your doctors and they should help you make good choices. I’m saying a prayer for you to have a long and happy life. God bless you!
Jj
This, 100%. Perhaps my perspective is rather limited, but it’s been my experience that if people don’t add to you then they take away. Surround yourself with people that encourage and support you; minimize time spent with anyone who does not.
So true, good philosophy. One I live by too. Life is much happier now.
Whilst I definitely think it’s a good idea not to become over stressed, I’m not sure a mother with children can completely avoid it. I probably caused my parents more stress than I should have growing up. If they knew everything I got away with, I’d have been grounded for life. Same with my siblings all older than I. One time as a very young teen, Mom started threatening to send me to “Juvie” (Juvenile Hall). I wasn’t bad enough to be sent there by any means. One of my teachers in Junior High taught there and he told us they had steak every Thursday. Something we did not get often at home. I was tired of her threats so I packed my sister’s little overnight suitcase, put it by the door and said “Let’s go”. It got me in a lot of hot water and grounded to my room. Dad gave me one of his lecturers, and he talked to Mom apparently because there were no more threats of juvie.
For me, it’s more of avoiding chaos and drama so those people who were into that type of behavior quickly left my life. We do have to learn to handle stress to some level.
I totally agree we need supportive, encouraging people in our support group, without a doubt!
Im not a doctor so rake what I say with a grain of salt.
My aneurysm ruptured. Of course I had no idea I had one. You are fortunate your has been identified.
My sister had one too. It was identified and addressed early on. She has recovered well.
An aneurysm that ruptures is much more serious that one that is addressed proactively.
I would get a second opinion. Your doctor may be correct and the chance of it rupturing could be very small.
I would want another doctor to confirm that. You are weighing risk and reward. If you dont address it the risk is great but so is the reward (not having to have surgery or a clipping).
Thats my advice. Im 10 years past my aneurysm and still working through some long term health impacts but am very fortunate to be in as good shape as I am. Mine ruptured.
I hope you get good guidance and can understand why you are concerned. I cried many nights acter being back home thinking about nearly dyeing and leaving my children behind. BUT, they caught yours early and you can plan your approach rather than it being a surprise.
Not sure of your faith. Pray. Pray for guidance, for comfort and for healing. And get a second opinion. Thats my advice and good luck!!
I can relate to this, negative people bring me down, positive people lift me up, over the past nine years I have had both in/out of my journey, I am just so grateful I now have positive people in my life, and a few negative people have left my life!