Well today I went to Kings College hospital to talk to a neuro doctor about my aneuysm. It is 6mm on the anterior comm artery. He gave me facts and figures and says that it is up to me whether I get it treated surgically or not. I am leaning toward watching and waiting and getting a re-scan in 6 months. I have no symptoms. The stats he gave me were that I have a low risk of rupture (no guarantees of course), a 5-10% risk of stroke during either clipping or coiling and a 1-2% risk of death during either procedure. They are pretty scary risks when the thing may just stay there quietly for the next 20/30 years (i am 56 by the way). To be honest I feel like I want to take my chances and just have a scan in 6 months. I am glad that I have the choice to make my own decisions. My annie is not a monster at the moment, a bit scary but I think that I can manage that for now. What do you guys think?
As long as there isn't a strong family history I think I'd watch and wait. Risks of rupture seem to be higher if there is a family history. For mine, which was 30 mm with progressively worsening symptoms, stopping me coping with life, the risks of doing nothing were far higher, so the decision was easy. Some people get anxiety knowing it is lurking there, but if you can cope with that it sounds like the risks are less with watch and wait than they are with intervention. It is of course true, if you have no symptoms, you have no idea how long it has been there or whether it is changing. It could have been there be many years. A 6 month or 12 month CT OR MR angio would give you a better idea of whether it is changing.
Judith
I think Chris if you feel comfortable with your decision...and that you will be watched closed (the scan in 6 months)...then, I think you made the right decision for YOU and that is what it is all about...~ I admire your thought process on this situation...~ Colleen
hi chris! so sorry you have to decide, either way we're with you 100% this is a tough decision so I'll keep you in thoughts & prayers!
Hi Chris, I am glad to hear you have now seen your surgeon and have some facts and figures to go on, this is a very personal choice and I am sure you will make the right one for you and your family. Personally having already had a bleed the first time which upped my chances of rupture and the trauma of that to my family I decided to have the operation on my second annie it was not an easy choice but I found the anxiety of knowing I had another annie more than I could handle. I hope you don't have too hard a time deciding what to do and as Ron says we will be behind you no matter what, for now take care of yourself, Luv Jill xxx
Hello Chris, No easy decision here!! I had a sah in 2011 from the anterior com artery (5mm). I had quite some time of it. multiple complications from the bleed but now things are much better. At least you can watch and check the aneuysm. Much luck and will keep in my prayers. donna w
As Donna mentioned, my Acom A 5MM aneurysm ruptured in 2010. It wasn’t a good experience but here I am. I just got results last week that the coils have compacted and my 3x5 aneurysm is now back to 2x4. I am in a similar position, they say it's up to me but ruled out surgery for a number of reasons. I am currently getting all my images and reports together to go for another opinion. My suggestion would be get a second opinion.
Thank you everyone who has taken the time to help me focus. I have no family history of brain aneurysms and presently have no symptoms. Although I have raised BP, it is under control and I see my GP regularly to ensure that it stays that way. I just feel that there is more risk for me to undergo a procedure right now and will wait until July and hope that my annie has not changed in any way. Thanks again, I so appreciate being able to come onto this forum and know that everyone here understands. Take care, love Chris xxx
We do Chris...now go out and Live each day...and worry about July when it comes...but remember to keep us posted...Wishing you a Great Day ~ Colleen
hi Chris! me again!!-lol --I see below you have opted to wait- i'm kinda glad you did-but unsure why, I just have a positive vibe here. Did they mention any ways you can minimize risks like not smoking, no straining or not putting head lower than level of your heart-i'm curious-if not-give them a call and persist until you get answers, we have to be our own advocates-we'll keep u in thoughts & prayers in the meantime!
Hello Chris,
Sue was at the hospital yesterday for her second angiogram on her coiling and the unsecured aneurysm and thankfully no change. Consultant said to her just live your life as normal just don't do any heavy lifting everything else seems to of been given the green light. There were three things he told her last time he saw her they were never smoke again keep a check on your blood pressure and cholestrol. This is also well and good but when you have one lurking in there it must be hard to just blank it from your mind. But if you can get over that and put your faith in the professionals and way up all the advise with regular check ups i don't see why not.
Hi Colleen,
Reading the posts on BAF it seems that the surgeons are more likely operate on patients with aneurysms in the USA than in the UK, is this because the health insurance companies require you to have the operation or they won't insure you when the policy needs renewing
Hi John, I am so glad to hear that Sue is continuing to do well. As for me, the consultant said to me go out and live your life with no fear, just no smoking. I think the major difference is that I have not had a SAH and have no family history. Of course I am not a robot and cannot just forget about it until my next scan, I am just trying hard not to make it rule my life.
I totally agree with your comments about treatment in the US. My consultant and I also talked about this during my appt. I reckon if I was living in America I would probably already have had a coiling done by now. The doctor mentioned to me about the ISUIA (?) report which I have read and states that unless there are other prevailing factors a procedure on an unruptured annie under 7mm may pose more risk to the patient rather than adopting the wait and watch stance. It would be interesting to hear the US point of view.
Thanks for your reply and my love and good wishes to you and Sue xx
Hi there Ron, your reply made my morning and I accept your positive vibes 100%. I too feel like I have made the right decision for me. The only things the doctor said to me was no smoking and keep BP under control, other than that, he said to live my life with no fear. I asked him about my job which is fairly physically demanding and he said go for it and so I am. Have a great day, love Chris xx
Chris,
So pleased to read you are taking this positive attiude, life is definately to short, as we found out 18 mths ago. I have great faith in the UK' s NHS despite all the negative press it gets. Also posting your worries and thoughts on here where you can get an honest and unbias opinion by people that have experienced it all first hand, Good Luck to you .