Hello every one I’m new here. Three weeks ago I found out my Anny had gotten bigger. I also found out that it was not where they thought it was the first time it was discovered 6 years ago. The first neurologist said that it wasn’t in my brain area. He said that it was behind my left eye. So when they suggested that we wait and watch it I was ok with that.Worst case I would loose vision in an eye. Well this year when I had a scan. I saw a different doctor and he ordered a CT with the dye. Think its called a CTA? So three week ago I got the results. The Anny is in my skull cavity. He says that if it ruptures… can’t repeat it. I had a very bad panic attack in his office. My sister had to talk with him while the nurse calmed me down. I really couldn’t talk to him. So he recommended to my sister that I have it treated.
My clippings is scheduled for the 14 of January. I’ve been a smoker for about 15years. Three weeks ago when I got the news I stopped smoking cigarettes. Well I switched to electronic ones. My family doctors says that they are ok. I saw them on the Doctors show. They say that they are only nicotine and water vapor. My question is; Does any one smoke? And what have you guys heard about electronic cigarettes.? Are they risky with my aneurysm.? I just want to be extra carefully. Are there any other things I should steer clear of? Also I’m having an angiogram on Monday.Is that similar to the CTA?
Hi Valerie
I just had my aneurysm clipped earlier this month. I have smoked for a very long time. I don't know anything about the electronic cigarettes but they put me on the patch while I was in ICU. So far so good. I still want one once or twice a day! But I know that I really shouldn't and I will try very hard not to give in. As long as I keep up with changing the patch on schedule, and trying to distract myself when the urge hits I am hoping I continue on the path of not smoking. I know this is a very tough thing to give up and I wish you all the luck in the world .
Debbie
Hi Valerie,
I'am fairly new to this site as well and have found it to be fantastic so far! I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Be strong, it's absolutely amazing how far the medical field has come with this area. My wife suffered an aneurysm leak in july. A long story short, today she is in the midst of what appears to me as a 100% recovery. Do the best you can to stay positive and strong! It's a good thing that yours was found. You could have found it the hard way. As far as the smoking, my wife was also a smoker for 20+ years. She was forced to quit from her situation being in the hospital for a couple of months. Although she still does struggle once in awhile. For her the hard part is not the physical addiction to the nicotine, it's the habit of going through the motion, having one while driving, having one in her hand and putting it to her mouth. With that being said, I personally don't agree with the electronic cigarette because your still going through "the motion" which to me is not going to help break that part of the habit/addiction. I would focus on other things rather then putting something to your mouth. Try chewing gum or a straw or simply doing some kind of activity instead to take the place of the cigarette. It will be hard but certainly will work. You have to want it! As far as anything else, in my wifes case the dr's also strongly stressed no alcohol for at least on year. Hopefully some of this may help. Good luck, be strong, all of this can only make you a stronger better person! :)
Brad
Hi Valerie!
If you're gonna go with the electronic cigs, make sure you go with the no nicotine ones. Recent studies show that nicotine alone can harden arteries and/or cause plaque to build, neither are good for those with aneurysms. If that's the case, one may as well go whole hog and smoke the real deal. I smoked for 20 years, quit when I was preggers with my son, then picked it up again, smoking less than 5 a day (but still smoking) prior to them finding the aneurysm. I quit when they diagnosed the aneurysm and haven't looked back -- but it wasn't easy, especially because my husband smokes, and although he keeps telling me he's gonna quit, the most he's gone since I was diagnosed is 3 days. Yoga helped significantly. I'd also talk to your family doc or the local health dept. about a prescription for Zyban, Chantix or Nortriptyline. I was on the last one, for chronic pain and to help with smoking, and it really, really, really helped. But clear it with your surgeon first.
An anigogram is more of a medical procedure than the CTA which is more like just getting an x-ray done. Jo explains it well, but here is a link for you to read up more about it: Click Here
When you're finished with the angio, the surgeon usually will explain to you and your waiting family what they see, but you also can book a follow up appt. to go over the results with the surgeon, because you're usually pretty high. You'll also want to discuss your surgical treatment options with your surgeon. In other words you mentioned "clipping" which means a surgery involving a cranitomy. They may also discuss "coiling (where they place metal coils into the aneurysm until it is filled up)," "gluing (liquid embolization -- where they glue it shut)," "PED (pipeline embolization device -- a stent that your blood vessels fill in over time, bypassing the aneurysm until it slowly closes over then shrinks due to lack of blood)" or a few more options depending on where it's located and/or its size.
My surgeon told me to stay away from NSAIDS (advil, ibprofin, aspirin) due to their bleeding risk, and run taking any other medications through his office, including herbal supplements and vitamins. Take Tylenol if you need something for pain. And to not lift anything over 5 lbs., and no straining, take stool softeners if needed -- though this may be different for you.
Hang in there -- I'm sure it's scary right now, I remember being quite freaked out, and the one friend that I depended on when I was freaked out, a good smoke, was not available anymore, which made me even more freaked out. Sending prayers your way that the angio goes well, and that you find some peace and are able to make great decisions.
Tara
hi Valerie! i would ask your nuero about the nicotine in the electronic cigarretes- i thought nicotine was very bad for anuerysms-write down your questions maybe you can ask them at some point on Monday if not call them. I'm so glad you quit smoking- i quit 22 years ago when i got cancer -actually started again since cancer was gone & not found in my lungs or throat. Thank God i quit for good about 5 yrs ago & i wish that for everyone---to be free of them forever. All our issues take so much time to conquer-surgery healing,rehab etc etc, After about 1 year you wont crave the smokes- hang in there, you are on the right track! Let us know , we'll keep you in our thoughts & prayers
Hi Valerie...I would contact my Neurosurgeon and ask his/her advice about the electronic cigarettes...I am under the assumption that any surgery should have one free of all nicotine in their lungs...perhaps you can get some meds for the anxiety and quit smoking now...to help you in your healing...~ Gotcha in my Thoughts ~ Colleen