I just found out I have a 3mm Aneurysm. I am 32, married & have a 3 year old little boy. I had 3 opinions. First said yes to surgery, (coiling), 2nd & 3rd said no. I have a CTA scheduled in November. If there are any changes in my condition the answer will be easy. But if it stays the same they say I have a .05% chance it will rupture. For now the risks are higher to have the surgery. What would or did you do if in a similar circumstance? Thank you do much! So thankful I found this site;)
I was hospitalized with vertigo in March and they discovered a 10 mm aneurysm. I am going to Ma. General next week for pre-op and coiling is to be done on August 7th.My younger sister had a ruptured aneurysm a few yeras back. Doctors do not think there is a connection with vertigo and aneurysm. I am still not myself after the vertigo- dizzy, response time slower, vision is off.
I am not sure what you should do. I klnow that mine is med. sized and ithas to be taken care of. I am 51 with a 22 year old and a 16 year old.
Hi Amy,
There is a very informative video on this site on small unruptured Annies also and article on Annies in the blogs by Julie NH. You may want to look at them , I think they will address your question and you will find them useful reading. The answer is a very personal one based on location of the Annies and family history. Not to mention the fear factor. This is a decision that only you can make with the help of your neuro. I hope this is helpful.
Hi Amy,
The decision to have surgery is very personal. However, all treatments have their risks as does life itself. The majority of your opinions support watchful waiting.
To give you one perspective on watchful waiting, I offer my story. I survived a ruptured aneurysm when I was 19 years old. At least one annie was left behind. I’ve known that I have three unruptured aneurysms for 35 years. So, I have practiced watchful waiting for 43 years. I have been blessed that my aneurysms have not changed qualitatively based on the comparison of the report of 35 years ago with an angiogram performed earlier this year.
This is a choice that my family is comfortable with but not everyone is able to handle the “stress” of knowing that they have an annie. However, I write this response as I sit in a hospital room with my husband waiting for the surgeon to confirm the course of treatment for my husband who may need abdominal surgery again after 5 years with no problems… He had no symptoms on Tueday night when we went to bed but it was a far different story early Wednesday morning… :-(.
When we married, we knew that I had annies and he accepted the risks. We didn’t have any way to predict that he would be the one to have two nearly fatal illnesses plus this latest challenge.
We are very thankful that this complication occurred this week BEFORE we leave for our scheduled trip to China at the end of this month. We’ve made all kinds od preparations for this trip with my annies in mind. We have recommended doctors and hospitals, " just in case". But, we may have to postpone the trip because of something totally unexpected. 
My recommendation is to live life to the fullest. Control what you can control. Don’t be too anxious about what you can’t conrol. Expect the best and believe in miracles. Only God knows what each day will bring.
Take care.
Carole
Hi Amy, This is such a personal decision. I was diagnosed with 2 aneurysms. One was small, but in a dangerous spot.. with a .05% chance same as yours, but I decided to clip it, because I didn't want to worry about it. I have children too. It was clipped on May 8th. I went with a surgeon that does from 290 to 350 surgeries a year and has terrific outcomes. I looked at all his stats and was comfortable with him operating on me. I have been happy with my decision on that, and I am 10 weeks post surgery now. My second annie is not in an operable spot and is outside the brain cavity. Unless it grows, it is not dangerous and if it ruptured would be contained. I am on a watch with that one and planning on doing a stent in the future if it grows larger. The risks of doing anything for that one are greater right now than waiting. As I mentioned before, this is a very personal decision. Listen to your heart on this, and consult with a team of doctors that you trust, and get second opinions if you want too. You will find the path that is best for you and your family. I hope we can help support you during this process. Val
Hi Amy...It is a personal decision...for YOU...even your family can way in...but in the long run it is You...I wish I could give that "earth shaking message" that would help you decide...for now I send my prayers your way...
Hi Amy, I am glad you found your way to the discussion forum. I am the Cindy that replied to your FB post. It is so scary to hear those words "we found an aneurysm". My annie measured 4.5mm and was leaking, so I had little choice...it needed to be fixed as risk of full rupture soon was high. And coiling was my best option as it was in too risky a spot to clip. It was so scary to be suddenly faced with such a scenario but I am ever so grateful that it did leak, strange as that may sound, because it then presented the symptoms that led me to the ER. For me the thought of what could have been is so frightening...particularly with my 21 mo old boy at home.
Of course every scenario is different....and as everyone repeats, deciding what to do is a very personal choice. It is nice that you have 2nd and 3rd opinions....and to know your annie is small. If this will be your first CTA, I truly feel these results will help guide you in your decision. The angiogram is the "gold standard" for assessing annies...sometimes they reveal more about size, etc than original scans. Your dr will likely be able to offer additional input/recommendation once he/she can actually get in there and take a closer look.
In the mean time, try not to exhaust yourself too much over the decision until you are more armed with the CTA information...and certainly search the various posts on this site... there's a wealth of information on here and many annie veterans and experiences to learn from. Please know that we are all here to help and support you through whatever you find is best for you.
Cindy
Hi Amy,
I was wondering if your diagnosis had been through a CT Angiogram, or from a MRI/MRA. If you have not yet had a CT Angiogram then the exact size/shape isn't probably known. How was your aneurysm found?
Like everyone else here I agree that this is a personal decision. There are many factors which will decide if you have surgery or not. Please be sure to discuss each of these factors with your specialist: 1) Size, 2) location, 3) shape, 4) any out-pouchings, 5) neck shape, 6) genetics, 7) smoking (if you smoke, quit now), 8) blood pressure, 9) your intention or not to have another baby, 10) your fear or anxiety levels.... I'm sure there are other discussion points, but these are a start.
According to the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology 1 in 15 people, in the United States, will develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetimes, and most never change...so perhaps your aneurysm will just stay the same.
I know the waiting is the hardest part, but perhaps you could try meditation to keep you calm. We're all here for you. Feel free to vent....it beats holding your fears in!
JulieNH
Julie! Thank you so so much!
My anxiety is at an all time high. I’m bring medicated with Xanax which I don’t like, but it helps me sleep. I hit my head on a ceiling fan decorating a room:( got a concussion which I still have everyday pressure headaches from:( I had a CT with contrast that showed the Annie. The MRI did not. I go in for a CTA in Novemver because we decided to wait and re check it in 6 months. One of 3 drs said yes surgery now, 2 said wait. Because its small (3mm) and where it is located they felt another ct would be the appropriate way to move forward. I will make note of all your questions. Thank u so much. I was advised to not get pregnant, and I grave never smoked. But genetically I have high cholesterol & bp, so I took action and started medication!
I am so thankful you shared ur story. I am excited to keep in tough with you;)
Xo Amy
Thank you so much;)
Thank you so much Cindy! You have been ever so helpful;)
Follow your Dr's advice. Lots of great comments on this forum. I had a ruptured annie in 2009 and my annie was 6mm. I had a smaller 2mm. I had craniotomy in October 2007 to clip the 2 annies and a MRA every 6 months for 3rd annie. In Feb 2009 the 3rd annie grew to 4mm. Dr performed another craniotomy for 3rd annie. I just had my 3 yr check up on July 13, 2012 and results revealed 2 annie's had grown outside and around the clip. I have a pipeline stent scheduled for Aug 2. I am so sad to hear 2 annie's had returned but happy they were found before they ruptured. I personally think it is better to address them before they rupture. Oct 2007 was the hardest craniotomy and recovery was slower. Good luck my friend
Hi Amy - wished I was writing under better circumstances…sorry to hear about your aneurysm. I am 33 and had an unruptured aneurysm clipped in May. Also a mom, like you, with a 3 year old boy and a one year old girl. I really have much the same to say as the previous comments. It is a very personal decision and depends on the details of your aneurysm. I can provide a bit of my story…in case it helps.
I had an MRI and a CT with contrast of which both showed it was about 3-4 mm. My surgeon told me he would recommend to have it fixed or we could watch and wait for a year to see if it grew. I quickly learned my threshold for waiting was low. Once I knew it was there I worried a lot and was afraid to be alone with my kids. Just couldn’t relax. I decided to go forward with the surgery. Due to the location of my aneurysm, clipping was the only option but my doctor was also cautious of coils due to my age and the possibility of degradation over time.
The surgery went well and I have been blessed with a great recovery. Back to work on Monday. Obviously it is easier to say this now as the procedure is done and I am fine but I am so glad I moved forward with the surgery. Once in there, the surgeon discovered the aneurysm was bigger than thought, had an abnormal shape and there was a significant amount of blood swirling in it. All things we didn’t know before and made it a higher risk for rupture. Now I feel in control of things and my life is getting back to normal. I have a new outlook on life and am so relieved.
This is not a decision to be taken lightly and I wish you the best of luck in your journey. You will find all ends of the spectrum on this site in terms of diagnosis, treatment and great support/advice. Knowledge is power and you are in control of this. Weigh your option and do what works best for you and your family.
Take care,
Kim
Thank you Kim. I am sooooo sorry I never responded. I thought I did. You all are helping me so much! I just dont know what to do. Come November I will have another CTA and if it changes in any way I will probably have the surgery. Keep in touch! Hope you are doing well:)
Hi Amy...just from the responses ... you can see many go through this particular journey...
I think you must go with your gut...and I think you must make sure you are following a lifestyle that makes the risk of rupture even lower...I had no choice with my Aneurysm ... it was 9mm, leaking and on my basilar artery tip...(I was having many health issues due to this annie)...I do have an aneurysm behind my left eye, it is 2mm...and Doctors are "watching"...I feel very comfortable about that aneurysm...so I thinkif you can personally make a decision and live your life either way...then all will be ok...
Gotcha in my prayers to make a decision that is right for you ~ Colleen
Hi Everyone. Update. Well, it is November 2013. My last CTA was in May and all is still the same. So here I am going on 1 year and 6 months of knowing I have a 3mm unruptured aneurysm. I'm kind of living in a place of faith and fear at the same time, if that is even possible. I wanted to thank you all for your support, talking to all of you really made things so much better for me when I found out in May 2012. Wishing you all the best and I will be coming on here a lot more. I have my good days and bad, along with other medical issues. I just had my appendix taken out and have severe IBS. I believe that all the stress from finding out about my aneurysm really did a number on my body. I was concerned about even having the surgery, but I got through it! Love, hugs and prayers to you all. Would love to see how you are all doing:) XO AMY
(((Amy))) Good to have an update...you keep holding on to faith...and please come and hang out here more...~ Colleen
Thank you;)
How are you doing!?
Hi Amy...
Dealing with a few health issues...and I will be going for another angiogram in 2014 to see the next "plan of action"...meaning, to see how much the coils have compacted...
Always, grateful for each day of Life...~ Colleen
You will be in my prayers;)