Hello everyone, I had a brain aneurysm. Im 6 weeks out from Brain surgery. My concern are my children I have a 16 and a 9 year old daughters. My brother passed away at 37 of an aorta aneurysm, My father passed from an aorta aneurysm, and my mothers aunt passed from a brain aneurysm. I went to a genetic dr for my kids and the appointment turned into me. The dr. had said my girls are to young. I am not happy with this. Just over the weekend I heard on the news a young 17 year old boy had passed from a brain aneurysm. Why is it so hard for them to get screened? My family thinks im over reacting, but I will not be at ease until they are screened. Does anyone feel the same way or am I being paranoid?
http://www.bafound.org/family-history <--- This is what is posted from BAF regarding family history. My father died young of lung cancer, so it was undetermined if he had an aneurysm. His paternal father had an aortic aneurysm. I think you do need to look at risk factors. I was a smoker, am overweight, am female, over 40, and had multiple head traumas throughout my life. Although it's not known if my dad had a brain aneurysm, I'm not going to subject my three year old to massive testing at this point because he doesn't have the risk factors I did. I am going to warn him severely about smoking, drug abuse, and maintaining a healthy life style because he needs to keep his risk factors low. I also had a relatively small aneurysm (5mm) that very well may have never grown beyond this in my lifetime. I may suggest to him that when he's older he may want to look into getting a MRA or CTA, but right now his risk factors are so very low that I don't find a need to freak out. I did notify his pediatrician, so that it's documented should he become symptomatic later on.
I don't know your story, or your risk factors or your kids, if you had genetic syndromes which predisposed you to a brain aneurysm, if you had head trauma, what type/size your aneurysm was, if you had an SAH, etc., so I really can't tell you if you're being paranoid. I do know that I've pushed my sister to get screened because she has several of the same risk factors that I had (she hasn't -- but it's out of my control). I don't think you necessarily need a genetic doctor unless you have genetic syndromes that caused your aneurysm. Genetic screenings can involve ruling these out genetically if you had an SAH (for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)), as well as CTs/CTAs, MRIs/MRAs, and angios. I do think you should talk to your daughters' doctor/s so they are aware and it can be noted in their files for later need or if they become symptomatic.
Hope your recovery is going well! =)
Tara
Hi - I had a ruptured aneurysm in March 2012. Both of my children had head MRI's done in August. I know that MRI's aren't a tell all diagnostic tool (I had 4 done before my rupture and it was never discovered) but it made me feel better getting them done for my kids. They are 16 and 14...their doctor said they won't need routine MRI's unless they start having headaches of other symptoms. And no, I don't think you are being paranoid...these are your children and you know whats its like to go through an aneurysm.
Yes...it is very important that your kids are checked...I was the only family member to have 2 brain aneurysm's...Neurosurgeon told me my kids (I don't have any...but if I did) should be checked and so should all of my siblings...you have a family history...so I am unsure why your family would think you are over ~ reacting...it is better to find out before rupture...God Bless I hope you are able to get your kids checked...~ keep us posted...Colleen
If it runs in your family I would get them screened. i asked the same thing to my Dr. and since it doesnt run in my family they told me to have my son scanned when he turned 20 and then every 5 years. But if I wanted him scanned to go ahead and do it just to put me at ease. I would do it, your not paranoid at all! Best wishes to you :)
Hi Marisa
I understand completely what you're saying about wantng to get your kids screened! I, like Colleen, have had two aneurysms with no family history of such, and IF I had kids (Which I don't), I'd be in a panic about there being the possibility of an aneurysm lurking ..The real problem is (in my experience at least) the costs involved in attaining such life saving tests -- if there are no symptoms and if the age of the person seeking such a health tool isn't what the medical community deems an"at risk" age, then good luck in getting an MRA/MRI/CT/Etc. Even ones gender can be a roadblock, as females seem to be higher up on the aneurysm scale when it comes these things (And if one has no health coverage, then ofcourse theres another block wall--a big block wall!)
I understand the worry, I have a brother who has two adult boys, and I wish that screening for him and my nephews would just be considered an automatic ' preventive maintenance ' scenario, but no, the insurance companies beg to differ. You're not paranoid, you're looking at this in a practical manner. Take care, and best of luck in your recovery! Janet
The answer is YES. My mother had an annie and 52 and I suffered a rupture at 34. All of my doctors said my sister should be checked and in the future when I have children they should be checked. Why risk it? Your doctor will write a note for your kids to be screened so it's covered by insurance.