Hi, my name is Eva. I'm 30 years old and had a ruptured AVM last summer. It was successfully treated via craniotomy and I'm desperately trying to resume normal life.... except.... I also have an untreated, unruptured aneurysm that may be associated with the AVM. Some studies have indicated that aneurysms of this kind can regress after AVM treatment. I'm not feeling like that will be true for me and I'm feeling so alone. Especially after reading a new study that small aneurysms are more likely to rupture than previously thought :( I had been under the impression that aneurysms of this size are extremely low risk. In fact, I've been clinging to that while I wait for my one-year follow up test. I'm kinda mad at my surgeon for using false data to reassure me and I'm really scared of dying suddenly. I have a young child. I just want to be alive and be healthy.
I don't come here much at all anymore - but just want to say that I have a small unruptured aneurysm and it's been completely stable for over 3 years. As time has gone on I have become much less scared - I also have young kids and know how scary it is - but I do think that with time you will begin to feel more secure. I really do believe that you will be fine!
Eva, mine is 5 mm, and we've been watching it for two years now. It isn't changing at all. All of the doctors who speak at our support group emphasize the low risk of small annies that don't have blisters on them or are not growing. It's hard, but it gets easier to put it in the back of your mind. (Pun intended.)
I had a 6mm brain aneurysm rupture back in September. I also have a 2.2 mm one that the doctor is concerned with. I thought I would be fine as long as it wasn’t growing from all the research I did, but my doctor said that being that I already had one rupture, having another one is now twice as likely to rupture regardless of what size it is. He gave me the option of surgery for treatment. I have decided to wait until next summer to do it. I am just too tired all the time to go through it all again right now. But I can relate to your fear. Wish you the best!
Thank you all so much. I definitely will take your advice to heart. I'm also reassured by the suggestion of growth versus stability. Of course, these studies never include the details you want to know. Like whether these aneurysms experienced growth, or how many of these patients died from their bleed. It was a pretty depressing study because it basically said that women are at more risk than men. It even went on to say that men might not need to treat their aneurysms at all but didn't say that for women. I was doing a pretty good job forgetting about this aneurysm until this study. I don't think my aneurysm is in a desirable location but my surgeon NEVER made me feel like it was anything to worry about. He also seems to think removing the AVM might change things but I don't know. SOrry I'm rambling.
I'm so glad many of you are doing so well. I'm also in the club that would rather not do another surgery. Craniotomies are shockingly easy to recover from (in my case) but it was the scariest time in my whole life before. I think my aneurysm is near my eye so I'm afraid that treatment would be very dangerous. I don't know if anyone can relate to this feeling but sometimes it seems better to not even know this is in my brain at all. Particularly when not treated.
Welcome to our group of wonderful supporters. I have been living with a 2.5mm unruptured aneurysm for 3 years now. The 2nd year of my MRA scan and MRI scan it grew from 2mm to 2.5 mm. My only sympton that I had was and is vertigo which is now under control with medication. I see a neuro surgeon annually and redo the scans. I just had my annual scans with no changes and currently stable. I also see a neurologist quarterly or monthly depending on what my current medical issue is that I am experiencing. When I first joined BAF I was scared out of my mind and the more education, support and with the grace of God, I am no longer frightened. i also wound up having 18 other health issues :) all accidental finds because of the annie. I was told by my surgeon that we will not consider any type of surgery until the annie is at least 5mm, because of the risks. I have read and researched so many cases of brain aneurysms and researched that the smaller the annies are the less risk you have of a rupture. I am also aware that there guarantees in life and "things" could happen. I faithfully go to church and that really really helped. I put everything in Gods hand now. I did not go to church prior to finding out :). For me finding out that I had an annie was one of the best things that could have happened, I started doing everything I ever wanted to do, which should have started years ago. I bought my dream car should have done that too. Please don't get me wrong I sometimes get scared and depressed and I just pray. I still get nervous about the annual scans and find myself holding my breath until I get results. I researched for my peace of mind the specialists I see and only want the best for myself and I know the Doctors can only do what they can to help us. I was told by all of my specialists that sometimes it is not a good thing to "research" too much, when you do it becomes a little scary just remember each person is different and each annie is different. Avoid Dr. Oz he will scare the daylights out of you :). Live each day as a gift which each person should whether or not you have an annie. We don't have to like it but we can ask God to take the burden off and that really helps. I live in Las Vegas and feel that I probably will be run over by a car than have a rupture (humor helps)
I am so sorry if I rambled on but I hope I helped just a little. This site is awesome!
Thank you Nancy <3 I'm very happy that you are coping so well - it's VERY inspirational. I've always had a complicated relationship with God. I find myself praying to him and cursing him at different times. I was the type to fears things before they happen, so my faith nearly went up in flames after my diagnosis. I'm trying to bridge that gap and I'm glad that it's working for you. I can see why people need that relationship to God.