I just found out that I have two aneurysms, one arising from each of the cavernous ICA segments. Indication measure 1.4 mm and 2.1 mm on the right and left sides, especially. I saw my neurologist and he said they will most likey monitor, but wants me to get a 2nd opinion from a nureosurgeon, which I am scheduled for in mid-March. I have alot of quetisons but he said he’ll address them all after the second opinion… Is this normal? I want to know what I can and cant do, but he didn’t say anything.
Hi @mike29 and welcome to the group! We are so glad you are here with us, albeit under these circumstances.
I ruptured, and was left with about a 2 mm aneurysm (PICA), which eventually grew to about 3mm before my neuroradiologist got rid of it (technical term = occluded). Although we have a different experience and different location, I thought perhaps our comparable sizes may be of interest.
During that interim period, admittedly I wasn’t doing too much beyond the life of a typical person, but the only restriction I had was NOT to go whale watching, especially on a zodiac. I tried to look for a video, but it is one of those experience better had in real life to understand. In short, he was concerned that if the ocean was choppy, the ride would be very jarring as you go up a wave, and then are slammed back down over and over. That was it! That was the only thing I could not do, but - as a patient only and not as a medical person - I would guess that they would not want us to do anything extreme at the moment.
Just from memory, one question that frequently comes up regards flying. I just searched our site and found a recent posting from our own dear Moderator, @Moltroub, that might be of help.
Of course, please let us know what we can do to support you as you wait for your neurosurgeon’s appointment. Although most of us can only speak from the patient perspective, we are happy to give you that insight!
Fin Whale Fan 
Hey Michael! Thanks for starting a great new topic! If I’m understanding you correctly, you’re asking if it’s normal for your neurologist to wait until the neurosurgeon sees you to answer any questions. I hope that’s right, if not please correct me. If I’m on the right tract, I imagine that would make me flustered and aggravated all at the same time.
From what I’ve learned from my rupture and subsequent procedures along with members, especially those on the watch and wait list we all get some basic things we should do - keep our blood pressure down, eat healthy, hydrate, don’t strain when having bowel movements and exercise appropriately. Some members have been told to not do power lifting and not to go scuba diving. I was told I couldn’t ride horses anymore when I was in the step down unit by the charge RN, sad but true. Fortunately I no longer own a horse. My friends who do have horses change the subject when I want to go down to their barns
head injuries are common around horses. I can honestly say I never had one due to horses specifically, a ranchero caused a pretty bad concussion when I was hit on my horse but not the horse itself. I think it was after my 2nd repair attempt my neurosurgeon said I could do anything I wanted when we called her as I wanted to go paragliding.
I suggest you start writing a list of what you want to ask. I’d go ahead and ask the neurosurgeon and not wait for the neurologist. I can be a bit impatient. Get help from friends and family to make the list. When you go to the neurosurgeon take someone with you who can take good notes. Personally I don’t recommend BH but it’s highly unlikely BH will be someone you pick since we’re down here in NC.
If you have issues with blood pressure, be mindful to control it best you can. I find that relaxation breathing does wonders for mine. I’ve been doing it for decades so it’s just how I breathe normally. @FinWhaleFan has posted various styles, just do a search with the magnifying glass using @FinWhaleFan If you don’t have a hobby, it’s a good time to start one. Hobbies give us “me time” and can help put your focus on something other than the what if’s we can get bogged down with.
I also think it’s pretty regularly told to members with smaller aneurysms they want to watch it, just to see if it grows. That is all dependent on the surgeon of course.
Keep asking questions here and we’ll help out the best we can!
Hi & welcome to the community!
My neurologist had found a 4mm aneurysm on my ACA at the end of 2024. It was found incidentally on an MRI that I had due to severe headaches.
my neurologist first referred me to a neurosurgeon as well. The neurosurgeon was the one that explained my options and whether or not to wait and watch or take care of the aneurysm.
Because of the location, we decided I would have and abolition where they placed a web (seal-it) device into the aneurysm by going through my femoral artery. During this procedure and the angiogram they did find a second aneurysm I have that did not show on MRI that is 1.5 mm on my anterior choroidal artery. This one we are monitoring so I am getting scans every 6 months to a year.
hope this helps some & wishing you luck with your appointment!
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