A CTA in December looking for something else found my 4 mm aneurysm. I didn’t know about it until a Neurosurgery appointment in early February. It’s on the “supraclinoid segment of the left internal carotid artery” wherever that is. I’m thinking behind my left eye. Was referred to a surgeon 60 miles away to discuss possible insertion of a stent (no one local to do it). Well that visit didn’t go well, so I canceled the angiogram up there, and will be scheduled for another CTA in June.
I’m a 66 year old female with normal BP but high cholesterol (family curse). All my near relatives have lived long lives, with no heart or brain problems. So, at this point I am walking around with this “time bomb” in my head and trying not to worry. Using an old hospital wrist band I made a “Medic Alert” type bracelet showing my diagnosis. in case I pass out in public. Memories of a family friend 25 years ago coming home with a headache on Friday, and dead from a burst aneurysm by Monday. And then the recent news of Tom Sizemore and his ruptured aneurysm is why I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I did this. (I got a new one made up properly, rather than make one) but I found it helped me be more relaxed about the rather dark and dangerous turn in the road that seemed to have happened. I think it’s one of the simple, sensible actions we can actually take to help ourselves.
The other thing I did was to talk openly to those around me about the situation I was in. My objective was that if they found me inspecting the carpet from close range that they understood that a stroke was a likelihood and rather nearer the front of their minds than anywhere near the back. In my case, I was at work, so I told my work colleagues about my situation. If you’re not working, at least being open with those who you spend social time with would be another step closer to being looked after properly. This is not something to be coy about: if we need those around us to help us best, they need to know.
I had an AVM rather than an aneurysm but it presents the same risks. I self-diagnosed in April 2016 because I could hear it (pulsatile tinnitus, similar to you) saw my GP, had to wait until August for a hospital visit with an ENT specialist who confirmed AVM and then a further 3 months for scans and a referral to neurosurgery. I then had to wait in line for an operation and was finally glued up in April the following year. My AVM was clearly developing over time. I nagged the neuro’s nurses and went back to the GP frequently through the final months as I worried the darkness was about to fall but no, I made it safely through the ordeal.
Stay on the case but there’s every reason to be positive about getting through.
Best wishes,
Richard
Here’s where the artery is https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dd/ff/f4/ddfff448fcdb23b92ea2ade4a93b6dda.jpg
We drive 60+ miles to Baptist (Atrium Health WFBH Winston-Salem) for my Neurosurgeon. Dr. Stacey Quintero-Wolfe. She saved my life, so for me she gets top ratings, she also excels at not doing surgery if it’s not needed and explaining everything really well. Besides all her medical knowledge and skills she’s a good fit for me on the human level if you know what I mean, Duke also has an excellent reputation for the Neuro department, don’t know about Charlotte, though there are Neurosurgeons there, I lucked out it seems when they flew me to Baptist. I also don’t know if there are any Neurosurgeons that repair aneurysms in Asheville. Seems everyone I know goes East to WFBH, Chapel Hill or Duke, probably due to the medical colleges.