I’m not sure what the terminus means…is that the one that goes up through the neck bones? Or in the littler offshoot. I had 2 aneurysms in the right internal carotid artery up in the circle of willis. I hope you can bring up the image. I had the procedure where they go up through the femoral artery in your leg. They didn’t want to clip as it could cause blindness and/or deafness. I had a stent put in with coils put into the annie through the wall of the stent…(coiling put in 3 months later). It was not invasive at all. I went to a world renowned dr. (Hopkins) in Buffalo. This took care of the giant annie…9mm. There is still a 3 mm one they keep a check on…no change. This was all 10 years ago. In my opinion…it is the best way to go. I am eternally grateful to him and his team. I’m sorry if I had already replied to you…so many on here. We are all scared to death at first…know you are not alone there. We, on this site, have all been through it. I would imagine anyone told they had cancer or? would also feel such shock. Know that there are miracle workers out there. The best of everything to you.
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Wow! Lots of info here. The doctors called mine a giant aneurysm…though I thought they said it was 9 mm. And all I know other than that is it is in the right carotid artery up in the circle of willis. I had a few weeks before the procedure to check online…and the dr. drew a. Picture if what it looked like before. Just a large widening in the artery…not a bubble/balloon type. I have 3 mm one…same type…that they are watching. Mine were found 10 years ago. Yep, I’m still here! As the dr. said after it was done…‘that’s it!..it’s gone…nothing more to worry about’. … …i didn’t find this site until a few months ago…very informative…thanks for this info…btw…you can find images online, save in your photos, and share by hitting ‘upload files’. Hope you are doing well.
The visual should get better with time. Report everything to your neuro. Have eyes/glasses checked often. Light, busy-ness still bothers me (had stent/coil 10 years ago). But at first was just horrible going to the grocery store. Gets so much better with time. I get the bright little squiggly ‘shooting stars’ once in awhile… And i have ‘floaters’…which don’t float…like hairs in your field of vision…always in same spot. Floaters I’m told are due to age…so probably nothing to do with annie. You are not that far out from your procedure. Things get better. The best to you.
Thanks very much. Your response certainly makes me think about getting a second opinion.
Dear Eve, thank you for your message. I’m sorry you are still experiencing after effects both your and Susan’s response remind me that they journey is not just going to end post op. That is if doctors here take this seriously… So far it’s taken since April for a diagnosis and ordering a CT Angiogram which I have next week. My aneurysm is 7mm but I’ve had an increase in ‘symptoms’ such as headaches and dizzyness.
Susan thank you so much for your response! I’m not sure you have messaged me before however the shock this diagnosis has caused means I’m quite forgetful… This month has been a blur!
I hope that I’m offered something similar to you in terms of treatment. I think my aneurysm is in a similar place to you. The Internal Carotid runs up the neck and all the way up behind the eyes (I think!)
Take care! X
Hi Jho,
I forgot to add I'm in the UK too. I was diagnosed at the Queens in London where I paid for a second opinion and a scan. It took 4 months in total from diagnosis to having the surgery here in Cardiff. I ended up paying for a CT angiogram to speed things up.
Where in London will you be having your surgery?
Eve x
Hi Jho
Mine was a 26mm (giant) left carotid artery aneurysm located in the cavernous sinus. I had endovascular surgery and a pipeline stent. This was the only option due to size and location. I have had a good result. I have some residual mass effects from the aneurysm to my cranial nerves causing double vision but that has improved a lot and I also have migraines however they are being controlled by preventative medication. My surgery was in the North west England in Oct 2012 and has taken about 20 months to recover to the point where I feel I pretty much well again.
I wish you all the best of luck with your journey, it is a difficult and anxious time but it does get better and its much better than the alternative! xxx
Jen
Hi Eve, thanks for commenting further. Feeling even less lonely with more UK members being in contact with me The NHS has been a bit of a let down tbh so it’s frustrating to hear another person having to pay for private treatment to speed things along!
I’m under the care of West Middlesex Uni Hospital but they’ve referred me out to Hammersmith for the CT Angiogram. Apparently the earliest West Mid will see me to discuss results is October so I’m looking to go private to discuss results and treatment options. Not quite sure how to go about that! also West Mid don’t have any Neurosurgeons so if I’m given the option I’m going to ask to be referred to UCLH. How did you find Queens?
Jho x
Thanks for your comment Jen, I always find it uplifting when someone, like you have, tells me it gets better!
Xx
Susan...
So many interesting connections...
Mine was listed in the med record...much larger than the one diagnosed in/by the angio...
My sis/b-i-l were shown hand-drawn image of a stent and the artery/aneurysm it would be placed on/over...
so fascinates me that the angio images were/are not used in explanations...
Is yours with the large widening called a fusiform...vs saccular?
Did you have open surgery? My saccular was coiled... 11 years ago...
Jen, mine was also 26mm in the same location. It will be a year for me this Aug. I have perm. Optic nerve damage and have trouble w balance and depth perception still. After surgery the whole left side of my face was in pain, numbness, and tingles. I thought my recovery was slow because I’m still getting on my feet, not quite there yet. Makes me feel okay now that you said it’s taken u about 20 months. Thanks for sharing. I just started getting migraines again. When did yours start?
Never had anyone speak of depth perception… Me, too! Also have what different doctors have named a paralyzed 4th nerve…of the eyes. Have glasses that are supposed to counter it…don’t. Never looked into that …so much going on in, around the eyes, nose, ears…
Just interesting you mentioned the depth perception. Not that I want to find things wrong with me…not a hypochondriac… Got to just accept it all and make the best of what we do have… Just so glad we are all here to discuss it all! The best to you.
Hi, no mine were not saccular…that is why I thought they called them ‘giant’.
Not sure what you mean by open surgery…no, they did not cut. They did it through the femoral artery up through to brain (almost…in circle of willis).
They probably are better now at explaining, showing pictures, etc. than so many years ago. So many on here seem to be so informed… I got what I could from the internet.
Speaking of the procedure…I was awake…both for the stent placement and the coiling 3 months later…holding my breath every few minutes as they did their ‘thing’. There was a monitor above to my left that I could see. I found it fascinating…therefore, I assume they gave me something to calm me…felt no real fear. I guess maybe it could be because I had no choice and just put myself in their hands. After coiling…(they had put too much coil up that way)…they had to cut the unused coil away and bring back down through the artery…I felt a scraping as it past my eardrum. They then let that extra piece go…to let it find a ‘home’ somewhere else in my arteries. They said it would do no harm… Hmmm… Sorry…that’s me…going off on a tangent again… It’s just that it’s been awhile since I’ve thought about these things. This site has been so informative… Good to find people with similar situations…that are willing to ‘listen’.
My next wrench to throw in…is everyone watching their blood pressure? I have a very hard time keeping mine down… Hate taking pills, but do.
Susan...we have more to share...
I am too wired (coiled) now to write more...
More later...have to finish a project...
Pat
i know exactly how you feel. don't call yourself a hypochondriac. I know that feeling is part of what got me in this mess without seeking medical attention sooner. I had signs as far a 7 years ago. My left eye was effected, I have Optic Nerve Atrophy and wouldn't be able to see out of the left eye without the help of my right eye. It effected my ear too which is why I couldn't walk a straight line and would trip when walking and run into things and people until after physical therapy for my balance and occupational therapy for my eyes. All of it still lingers and now I've started to get headaches everyday. Not sure why.
Well the best to you too and thanks for the feedback!
Hi Dasis72
the migraines started about a couple of months after the surgery. I initially had severe headaches but they improved with steroids. and then I thought things were settling down but then migraines started - probably around the same time as the aneurysm was occluding. I was scanned at about 5 months post procedure and it was fully occluded. My migraine pain is always on opposite side of my head to the aneurysm. The migraines are much less now with the preventative medication and symptoms of tiredness, memory and concentration have improved. My double vision has greatly improved I initially had to wear an eye patch and then used a size 22 prism but now I have a size 6 prism. This has now stabilised so the prism is incorporated in my spectacles and that means it is shared between both eyes making it less of a strain. I can drive, work full time and basically do everything I did prior to the surgery. I just have to be aware that if I overdo it I get tired and that might bring on head pain or a migraine so to be body aware. I occasionally get drooping to the left side of my face but again usually only if I'm very tired. I hope you start to feel better soon. I found the 18 month stage was when I started to feel like I was getting normal again.