Odd pains in head five months after surgery

General
1

Hi all,

I had my MR angio last Saturday. ( no contrast ) It's been five months since I had my surgery. (Coiling of an 8mm unruptured aneurysm on my right carotid artery) I won't have the results until the 10th of Dec,so quite a while to go yet. I have been told if all is well, I won't have another check for five years! I wouldn't feel comfortable waiting that amount of time for a scan. Just wondering if this is normal procedure.

I am getting odd pains in my head,sometimes on the right side which concerns me and other times at the base of my skull. The pains only last about a few minutes but they occur if I turn over during the night and when I put my head on the pillow. I also have them sometimes, if I'm just doing nothing. I am very wary when I bend since having had surgery. I would have just ignored these pains before having had an aneurysm but now every pain in my head worries me. I don't have the energy I had before,and if I sit down during the day, I fall asleep!I am still having funny turns and still not back driving. My balance is rotten some days but they say it's not linked to my surgery.

I also have a tumor on my pituitary gland and they have told me it causes no symptoms unless it grows upwards,then it will interfere with my sight.I have an MRI next week to check how much it has grown since my last MRI last February. I asked if a dye would be required, because I am always unwell for days after the CT angio dye.The radiologist told me with an MRI, they use a different dye,it's called Gadolinium. Anyone here had this? She said it's nothing, but they always say that.

Eve x

2

Hi Eve

Aw, I haven't had a coiling procedure but wanted to send you positive thoughts and prayers. It is so awesome to post on here as survivors will absolutely support us all. I don't have MRI experience so apologies for not being able to speak to that challenge.

Blessings to you,

Sal

3

Hi Eve...

My Surgeons had me come back for angiogram 6weeks after coiling, then 6 months and again in 18 months...they let me go for 2 years and I will have another angiogram...I am under the impression it is because I have a Brain aneurysm on my Basilar artery tip and the coils have since compacted...so I may need to have more coils added ... but keeping "fingers and toes" crossed this is not the case...I donot know when they will release me to having MRA's and if ever...Five years seems along time...I would question my surgeons "why so long"...

As far as the pain in your head...any doubts you should speak to your Doctor...however, I noticed I too had many head pains the first year after coiling...I felt it was from my nerve endings waking up...after inflammation...had gone down...

As far as the Gadolinium I have never heard of it...but I would like to know how you make out from this dye...because like you I feel sick for many days after from dye, etc.,

I guess I really didn't answer your questions...but I too, like Sal...sending out some good thoughts your way ~ Colleen

4

Hi Sal,

Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts.I just worry now when I have any pain in my head.I just wish I could have my MR angio results sooner.x

5

Hi Colleen,

Over here in the UK, they don't check patients until almost six months after coiling. I only wish I could have a sooner appointment for my results, but with the neurosurgeon on holiday until the end of the month,it's not possible.

I know I won't be able to go five years without a check,that seems unrealistic to me, to expect anyone who has had brain surgery,to wait for that period of time for a check up.

Do you have dye with your MR angios? I didn't have any,only with the CT angios.

Thanks for your good thoughts.

Eve x