I was coiled due to the location and it was a trification. 6month mark dr said I wouldn’t need another an giogram for three years. That it was closed.
I had a rare in size, giant internal carotid artery aneurysm coiled 2 years ago. I also had a stent placed. The stent also covered the neck of a 2nd much smaller aneurysm. My Dr told me at the time that I would probably need more coil added. One year later I did have more coil added. This year my check up showed that the small aneurysm was gone due to the stent and the giant aneurysm was completely closed up and no more surgery will be needed. I know some people who have been clipped seem to think clipping is better. However, coiling was so simple for me. It was no more difficult than having an angiogram to check on how you are doing. Both times I had no problem. Home the next day and right back to work. My biggest fear was that they would tell me I needed to be clipped. I am so happy I was able to be coiled. If I had to do it again I would not be afraid to be coiled even if I had to do it several times. It's so much easier, less invasive, much lower risk for deficites afterward. I think it is the way to go for sure.
Laurie
My understanding(at my hospital) is that they normally always coil unless the location or neck size doesn’t work for coiling. I was clipped because of location (MCA) and neck width. Coiling wasn’t an option. However, clipping is thought to be a permanent solution whereas coiling is not always.
I have a family history and YES do get screened. My sisters were screened. I’m being monitored every five years- they aren’t worried about the fixed aneurysm, they are looking for new ones due to my history.
Ps- I’m doing great after surgery and it’s not as bad as it sounds:)
Hi Lisa,
I hope your sister will get a second opinion. My aneurysm was discovered 2 years ago, and the first doctor I saw told me the aneurysm needed coiling. However, the second doctor ordered more thourough tests and told me I had options. I chose to have it clipped and have had no problems. The surgery was on Thursday and I came home from the hospital Saturday evening, have had no problems since.
I was coiled due to rupture. My coils did compact, which is more common after a rupture, that is being watched but if the Dr decides to fix it I would prefer to just add more coils if they can. Based on location I have a high risk of losing vision in my right eye if they clip it because there is a nerve in the way. So location is important in the decision. My follow ups are done by MRA which is noninvasive and only took about 10 minutes.
I had my ruptured annie coiled in 2009. Long road to recovery, but thanks to my neurosurgeon, all of the doctors and nurses, so far so good. Good luck to your sister, i know it will be ok. And yes, you should be tested as well. My neurosurgeon said my kids should be tested, & they were, so far so good. Good luck & God bless. You are on my prayer list.
Yes! Dr. O is her Dr. So we trust him. I think he made his final decision after the angiogram .
Jennifer said:
Hi - coiling vs. clipping depends on so many factors. If Dr. Christopher Ogilvy is not your sister's doctor, she should see him for a second opinion. He's "the guy" in Boston to see - he's the co-founder of The Brain Aneurysm Foundation and is the director of the Brain Aneurysm Institute at Beth Israel (formerly he was at Mass General). Best wishes to you and your sister.
Hello....Yes, definitely have a ct scan to determine if you too have them. My surgeon (who does aneurism repair exclusively) said it was genetic. My sister and both my daughters have been checked. My uncle at age 44 and his son at age 61 both died from cerebral hemorrhages. His offspring have all been check too. I had the coiling done in April, two separate procedures, and it is definitely less invasive than shaving your head and cutting your skull open....twice. I too had two aneurisms, both large but thankfully could be coiled. Except for a few weird things happening to me, I seem to be pretty much my old self. It was very, very scary and one can only hope and pray the surgeon knows what he is doing and the good Lord is with us. Good luck! Muriel Steven
Hello there - I had an aneurysm on my carotid artery that was also resting on my left optic nerve. I also had Dr. Ogilvy (he is an excellent surgeon, best bedside manner, and very caring to the entire family) when he was at MGH. I had complete confidence in his decision that clipping was the best and most permanent solution for me. The surgery was in April 2011 (unfortunately I was one of the 1% who developed an infection requiring more surgeries) - I am able to do everything I could before the surgery. Was operated on on a Wednesday and came home on Friday.. truly amazing what they can do for you. Dr. O is the best and I'm sure he knows what is best for your sister.
P.S. Get tested - my mother died of a ruptured aneurysm in 1967 (she was 45) when I was 19. Mine was discovered through my annual eye exam when I was 64. Prayers being sent for your sister.
Absolutely! We inherit these Annie’s from our Mothers .
I was on the op table. The Dr. did the dye test and thought he could coil one. Got up near and said no we have to do clips. I have 3 clips. All ok they said! You will be just fine.
hi!! sounds like you're on the right track, the angio gave them a better look'see, tc I wish you comfort and peace in the upcoming decisions and procedings, tc xoxo
My basilar artery aneurism ruptured. Mine was coiled. I am four years post coiling.
Lisa,
I had a coil procedure done about 6 years ago. I am doing fine, but must agree with others about the constant migranes I still suffer from. I also notice that I do not sleep. I must medicate myself at night or I will not sleep. Not sure if this is result of the aneurysm or some post tramatic symptom. My annie actually rupurted and surgery was mandatory! Nonetheless, I am grateful to my doctor, Dr. Dion of EMORY hospital for the care and attention he gave me and my family during this trying time. My recovery has been slow but increases with each year.
My recommendation is to be tested, because we dont know enough about annies to say they are not inherited. Also if your doctor can lessen the potential risks by coiling verses clipping, I say listen to your doctor...he knows best. If you need a second opinion then by all means get it. But trust the fact that is was found in time and is repairable. Your sister is still here and has more work to do on this earth...have faith!
I read up about the possibility of other family members having an aneurysm - I was worried as my son suffers from excruciating migraines, just as I used to - they stopped after the aneurysm ruptured - so I suspect the two things were related. It always did feel like there was something wrong in my head. Apparently there is no agreement, but it does seem there may be some genetic / hereditary component. My son has not been tested, but I would really like him to have a brain scan to exclude anything like this, as I would not wish it on anyone. It's up to you and your doctor, but for your own peace of mind, you might want to get tested. Sending lots of love and support to you and your sister.
My aneurysm ruptured in 2005 and due to the size it was coiled. The aneurysm was located post anterior carotid artery. 6 months after the coiling my neurosurgeon did a cerebral angiogram. Everything looked good so I had MRA's for the next 5 years and a cerebral angiogram at the 5th year mark. At that point everything looked great and I was given a clean bill of health. The following year, at the 6th year mark, I went for a routine eye exam and my opthalmologist called the neurosurgeon right away. He noticed that my right eye wasn't going up, but was going side to side and down. I went for an MRA a few days later and saw my neurosurgeon right after that. The coils slowly compressed and another aneurysm grew off of the previous one damaging my right optic nerve. I have a partial cranial nerve palsy in my right eye. I had symptoms about 2 months before but I didn't pay attention to them because I thought it was due to a bright light in the room. When I read my daughter a bedtime story on an angle, I saw double vision and closed my right eye. I thought it was due to the bright light in her room. Little did I know that something else was brewing. I had an emergency craniotomy the next day in 2011. I couldn't believe it. I always wonder if my second pregnancy, with the high volume of blood at that time, caused the original coils to compress. We will never know.
My neurosurgeon has never experienced coiling compressing and then a patient having a craniotomy years later. I was the first one. My neurosurgeon is the director of neuroscience in the group and he is fantastic. My follow up plan is to have MRA's 5 years from craniotomy and then another cerebral angiogram at the 5 year mark. Once we see the results from this, we will further discuss follow up plan.
My children will be tested for aneurysms once they turn 17-18 years old, unless they need to sooner. My aneurysm was due to a family history that I found out about on the day of the rupture. I did not fit the criteria that would bring on aneurysm. My sister was checked immediately after my rupture and she is fine. I recommend that you get checked as well. Good luck to your sister!
I have 2 clippings from ruptured annys and I am alive I live with constant pain but I took myself off of the opiates
Find the Dr you are happy with I didn’t get that luxury
Do get your self checked out they do run in families my mom had hers 23 yrs before me and refused to deal with it right away and well is in a nursing home in need of 24 hour care hope everything goes good I will pray for your family
Thank you ALL for the responses and words of encouragement!
My sister had her 1st coiling yesterday morning and so far so good. I spoke with Dr. O before the surgery and he assured us this was a good option (totally trust him!). I also asked about siblings, etc getting tested, he said that usually they recommend when 2 or more family members have annies, my sister is the 1st that we know about.
Luci just called me from the hospital, she seemed ok, said she didn't sleep much and has a headache :( -- but was ok. The Dr. said she may go home later today.
2nd annie scheduled for 12/31 -- fun way to bring in the New Year!
I do get a lot of headaches (not severe), so will speak with my PCP and see what she thinks. It worries me to think there 'could' be something there that I can prevent a major incident.
Anyway, this site has been great for support and information.
Lisa