I have a 4mm aneurysm. I wonder if it's actually bigger like yours was. I get headaches now from barometric pressure, so that will not be any different.
where was the aneurysm located? Mine is on the left MCA.
That's interesting. Is the alcohol thing a permanent change?
Dear Kit34,
I was at the Hamilton General Hospital, where all neurosurgery is done in Hamilton. They sent my angiogram plates to Toronto to see if I was a candidate for coiling - I wasnāt. I think Toronto is the best place to go for brain surgery, but the doctors here do it all the time. McMaster hospital is the most important teaching hospital, but many of the surgeons work in the General and St. Joeās. You will probably get very good care at Toronto Western.
David Andrus
Kit, I'll never forget it. I had a 9mm aneurysm on my left ophthalmic artery, directly behind my left eye. I have three clips, two behind my left eye and one on my left neck carotid artery (that I like to call "lagniappe" - a little something extra). I was told the main risks were stroke, blindness, and death, in that order. I'm happy to say, my neurosurgeon underestimated his skills (he does not like to gloat) and none of those happened. I am 56 but like to say I am 3 years old (the number of birthdays I have had since my clipping). Carol
Mine was rihht MCA and the new ones are the exact opposite and same spot
Hi Kit,
I am "50-something", let's not go there.... I had a successful clipping almost 2 years ago. 5mm MCA at a bifurcation. My surgeon gave me odds or statistics that potential for major complication such as stroke or death/infection complications from anesthesia was in single digits, less than 10 percent. The statistic that moved me to surgery that someone earlier referenced was the outcome if an annie ruptures. 30 percent death, 30 percent significant impairment, and 30 percent return to life as you know it. (I am totally paraphrasing here) I knew I would have a hard time living with those odds, even though the chance of rupture was very small. I asked his clincial nurses how many 50 year old waived surgery with my circumstances and the answer was basically none. I met several women, just like me, in the waiting room, all of us electing to go forward. My primary care raised a great point- I was in great health, other than the annie, and this would be a optimal time not knowing what was down the road as I got older.
I still have fatigue but it is much better. Nothing that keeps me down but I can we wiped at the end of the day. I was back at work in 2 months but the fog lifted in waves every few months. Slight organization issues for 9 months, I couldn't multi-task at work as well, but clearly could do the job, just no long super woman. I was not prepared for the ongoing fatigue. Thought it would be gone but certainly can live with it. I work, take care of a home, have several kids, I'm 50ish, maybe I'm just tired ;)
Wishing you peace.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy. It sounds like you've had a pretty good recovery and a similar aneurysm to mine (4mm MCA). I hope to have results at least as good as yours!
I forgot to mention - my aneurysm was on the right middle cerebral artery, or MCA as people say. Prior to surgery I was having partial complex seizures, which were controlled by the drug Carbemazepine. Has anyone else had this kind of symptom? After more than 10 years of seizure medicine, the aneurysm was discovered.
David Andrus
Davidā¦youāre the first who has mentioned having prior seizuresā¦ 42 years ago I had my first grand mal seizureā¦hospitalized for testsā¦they pretty much found nothingā¦put on anti seizure medsā¦told me I had epileptiform. Took myself off meds (2 years before trying) so I could have a child. Had a preemieā¦but sheās just fine! 
4 years laterā¦another grand malā¦back on meds. Anywayā¦about 4 grand mal seizures all happened in totalā¦but 15 years before my aneurysms were found. It was my thought that having these very, very, very strong seizures may have even caused the aneurysmsā¦or at least made them worse. It could have been a block in the artery that caused the seizures resulting in aneurysms. Who knows? No one. It is just that, I too, had seizuresā¦ My story might be something you could discuss with your doctorā¦ My annies are in the right carotid artery up in the circle of willis. First 2 seizures pulled meā¦my upper body, head to the rightā¦my head still is set to the rightā¦like the muscles, tendons are all shortened up. Because of the pull to the right, they tried to find something in my brain on the leftā¦so???
Susan,
Thank you for that information. At the time, my neurologist said he didnāt think my seizures were related to the aneurysm. Personally, I think he just didnāt know. Since my surgery I havenāt had any seizures. When they started coming back, I went back to my neurologist, who then ordered an MRI, and this revealed the aneurysm. Partial complex seizures were weird. In fact, I called them āweird attacksā. There was an aura then a tingling, then confusion, but no loss of consciousness. A younger brother, who was epileptic and had had full grand mal seizures, recognized some of the symptoms, and helped me through the experience. The seizures made me feel alone in the world, like an alien visiting earth. Iām now sure the aneurysm caused the seizures. The last one I had was when a friendās dog got up on its hind legs and spoke to me, and I had a seizure. You are the first person who has had similar experiences, though yours were worse. What seizure medication were you on? I still take Carbemazepine - the doctors donāt want me to stop taking it. But I lowered the dosage on my own initiative, because it is a strong medicine. I was taking 600mg a day, now Iām taking 400mg a day. My aneurysm was on the right middle cerebral artery and was classified as āgiantā.
David Andrus
I was on dilantin at first and complainedā¦thought it made me nastyā¦(probably my frustration)ā¦ Anyway, I have been on phenobarbitol ever since my second seizureā¦for life. I also cut dose in half on my ownā¦ Regular dose made me feel as though I was just 1/2 thereā¦ Any pictures taken with me inā¦look like Iām 3 sheets to the wind. I will not stop taking as if I have gone without it for maybe 2-3 daysā¦I get the auraā¦sort of like you described and if my head twitches to the rightā¦well thatās how the seizures start. No doctor wants to take me off it either. My gp will test the phenobarb level occasionally and he says itās fineā¦almost negligible. Iām good with thatā¦but do know it is enough to keep from having them. With a stent and coil inā¦itās my belief one of those seizures would be the end. No one knows how bad they are unless theyāve experienced it. I was told by the doctors that mine was also giantā¦but it was an all around bulgeā¦not the balloon type annie. So? And I have another like it but smaller that they are watchingā¦
Yes unfortunately it is a perm change. I have tried to push the limits but every time I do I end up with a headache. Its not worth it. I still enjoy a drink now and then but I know to limit myself to 1...... 2 max then done for the night.
Also I was never a big beer drinker so I dont miss it much. I stick with Crown Royal and the occasional glass of red wine now.
Hi Kit,
do you know how wide is the neck of your annie? On a 4mm it can't be that wide that you can't be coiled/stented. Or can it?
Iām not sure. The doctor just said that it was too wide to coil. It looks like a long finger-shaped oval on the scan, coming out of the bifurcation.
Was the stroke related to the aneurysm?
Did you get a second opinion? I got a second opinion for mine and ended up having surgery with that second doctor I met who turned out to be a HUGE expert on the issue... so maybe it wouldn't hurt to seek another opinion. If only to confort you in your choice. I even get second opinions for a tooth extraction, so...:)
Peter,
Like most people, I had a problem with fatigue for a long time. But only when you mentioned the reaction to drinking did I realize that my recent -recent years, that is - reaction to alcohol has been more pronounced. I put this down to increasing age, but now I wonderā¦
David Andrus
I was in Rome 4 months after surgery! If you told me I would be abroad I never would have believed it. I just put it in the rearview mirror. I acknowledge the experience and all it brought then I have tried to be grateful and go on!
36 when they found my Annie last Oct. Annie was about 7-8mm right behind the left eye (sorry didnāt catch the actual artery). Chances were that I would lose my left eye vision, but I didnāt. Clipped in Dec and recovery was painful at first, and still going. Iām not quite 100% back and donāt think I will ever be, but Iām about 95%. Drove 6 weeks post surgery and went back to work a week later. Headaches were frequent, but are getting less often. I may get a headache 1 every 2 weeks now. Stamina recovery is slow, but getting better. Just remember to never be afraid to ask for help. Iām a mother of 2 young kids, and have a great support system. But no one I knew went through this, except this group. They are awesome in providing feedback and positive support. I canāt thank everyone enough. Having a great experienced doctor makes a big difference as well. Good luck and remember, we are here for you
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Dear Jam,
You said you were not yet 100% back and donāt think you ever will be. But you will. Youāve come a long way already. I can remember wondering whether I would ever be āmy old selfā again. Eventually, I was - or at least I think I am. You have a lot going for you, so take heart and God bless you.
David Andrus