Has anyone here had a clipping for an acom aneurysm and how was your experience? I’ve had a few aneurysm survivors from Facebook groups tell me that I need to choose between quantify of life vs quality (if I do the clipping). I was told I can have very significant deficits and nobody walks away without deficits. I’ve even been told that if they get another anurysm they would never repair it again. What are your thoughts? Any success stories of ACOM aneurysms unruptured? My surgeon says that a lot of the feedback I am getting is rare outcomes, and most people do very well after surgery. He is confident I could walk away with no deficits, and that issues I brought up from several survivors (unruptured) are not common, but they sure seem like it. I’ve been told: permanent short/long term memory loss, cognitive issues, headaches, dizziness, among others. Any feedback will be appreciated!
Hi, Rosie.
I am definitely no expert here, but just wanted to know what state you are in and whether you have sought second and third opinions. I have a paraclinoid aneurysm in my internal carotid artery, just behind my left eye. First doc wanted to operate on me w/pipeline. I was 4 days from surgery when I was asked by a family friend to please seek a second opinion. I was told by 2 highly reputable surgeons NOT to operate and to monitor mine. But obviously my situation may differ from yours (4.5 mm). Please consider seeking additional opinions before you decide. I wish you only the best, as I know this is scary. Found mine by accident via CT while they were looking for potential damage caused by bad antibiotic reaction. Done lots of research and it looks like vast majority of folks came out okay, so that is what I will send your way–POSITIVE THOUGHTS. If you are near John’s Hopkins, seek Dr. Cameron Mcdougal’s opinion.
Hey Rosie! Your question is a sound one. If you weren’t aware of your aneurysm, would you want quality or quantity for your life? I’ve always been the quality type of person. But the idea of what is quality changes with age and our life experiences.
You might have some side effects, there’s always a possibility. You might have some initial issues that will go away with time as your brain creates new pathways or the old pathways repair themselves. I think of our brains as an electrical panel, just because a switch has been tripped, doesn’t mean we can’t flip it back on.
If the median age is someone in their 50’s, you would have to look at natural aging process and health being involved with the complications people state. And never discount base personality. Being a more positive person, helps the healing process speed up than if someone who likes chaos or who is negative. Being goal oriented helps as well.
Personally I experienced a rupture. If hindsight is 20:20, I would have had it fixed if a doctor recommended it, rather than go through another rupture. The fear my loved ones experienced would be enough for me to have any other ones fixed. I’m not one to get worked up on things I cannot control. Trust your doctor. Your doctor knows your brain and their skill better than anyone here or on FB. But it never hurts to get a second opinion, and your specialist won’t be offended.