I just need to get the opinion of the majority of people who have had both procedures done before my hubby goes into surgery. I hope you don't mind...
His story:
4 years ago, he had the dreaded "headache of his life". After having it coiled he has lived a somewhat normal life, sure a headache now and then but doing so well, we are truly blessed!
In August we decided he needed to have an angio done because it had been 2 1/2 years since the last one (they have been watching the neck of the annie, it's a large neck). On the angio they noticed the neck had grown 2 2/2 to 3 mm. He has the choice to either have it clipped or coiled with stent (s). The doctors (we've had 3 opinions) say the worst thing he can do is "nothing" so we decided we are tired of worrying about this damn thing so he has a surgery to have it clipped scheduled this week.
My reason for writing this is because I read so much about the problems so many people have after having theirs clipped. I worry so much about this, are we doing the right thing? It's so hard to face this when he feels so good. Does anyone have a good outcome? Sometimes it is not easy to make a decision when you have a choice, stents/more coils or clipped?
Do you have any input? Its such a scary thing to face, "again".
I also want to give a little hope to those of you who are dealing with the headaches, fatique and sensitivity to everything. My hubby had the same things, just keep moving forward. Do a little more everyday. Go for a short walk and everyday increase it a tiny bit, put yourself in situations you don't feel comfortable with, your brain has to be re-trained. We would go for very slow walks and increase it. Then we would go to restaurants to have lunch that we knew had tv's and a jukebox playing. At first it was hard for him but then his brain accepted it. He went back to work work on the 90th day after his coiling where his job is very, very load and noisy. I truly believe you just have to keep moving forward, I hope this help.
first off when people get it clipped and have major problems is because it ruptured, a unruptured one clipped is better. From what i hear on coils and follow ups i am happy i got clipped. As it was said, it's fixed and gone.
Thank you so much Laurie for your input! Good for you for making the right choice for yourself! I need to learn to put it in God's hands and have faith that he will be ok.
My annie ruptured 6 months ago at that time they put in 9 coils. I had to go back sept for more coils but the damn things wouldn't stay in so he put in a stent . I have to back again he said hes going to try one more time to put the coils in there ( blood is still getting in) If not successfull then I have 2 choices leave it and hope for the best or clipp it . I have pretty much made up my mind I want it clipped . my next appt with him is in jan. I'm going to talk to him about not even bothering to put more coils just clipp it and be done with it . From what I have read and heard from others clipping is the way to go Its done and over with . Coils can become compacted and it can rebleed . Thats my opinion. At first I was terrified of that kind of surgery but I'm not afraid now after all the pictures I have seen with people looking down right awful but giving a thumbs up or smiling they got through it . Best of luck to you and your husband !
Hi Alana...I hope and pray you and hubby will feel more comfortable with your decision...I wasn't ruptured, but leaking...and I was told I was a canidate to be coiled...less invasive...that was good for me...almost one year and so far I am doing fairly well...I guess it is hard for anyone to give an opinion when it is Husband going through this situation...
I appreciate your comments on moving forward...I see many here who do this even with many strikes against them...I am up to walking 8 miles a day...that shows the determination...but loud noise...sorry the echo in my head makes me want to hit it against the wall...I guess we all aren't lumped in one place...
I am wishing your husband good healing wishes his way...Fondly, Colleen
Alana, I had an unruptured annie clipped in April. The surgery went well and I had little pain - no headaches just a big scar. Until 5 weeks later when I felt lousy and found that I had contracted a staph infection at the incision site; what I experienced is very rare. I feel the clipping was very invasive (head stitches, neck stitches, severed nerve endings, jaw muscle cut ) BUT it took care of everything and I'm sure that overtime I'll be almost as good as new. Best of luck to your husband through this traumatic time.
Like Colleen, I was coiled/stented w/ an unruptured aneurysm. I had the choice, and went for the coiling, which was what my surgeon recommended (he does both procedures). It's such a personal choice, but many many people have good luck and outcomes with both types of surgery. I'm very thankful that I was able to be coiled, and also that my surgeon gave me his opinion as to which was best for me- that was very helpful. I hope that you and your husband land on a decision that you feel very confident about - and hey - at least there are options!!!!