MRI for vertigo..found 3-4mm Acomm aneurysm. Neurosurgeon said 1% chance of rupture..wants second opinion but thinks I should be coiled.causing me tons of anxiety!!!Of course my car blowing up hasnt helped…want advice from those who have been there done that..Thanx
Welcome @paperlady!
Thanks for letting us know how things are going for you. And to have car issues at the same time - ugh!
Although we all share much in common, of course, we all have our own unique story. I am part of the “other” side of the family in that I did not know I had an aneurysm before it ruptured, so I did not all the stress and anxiety that knowing brings with it. I have had some coils placed (immediately post-rupture, but I wasn’t aware of it), but certainly can help if you have any questions regarding endovascular procedures (how they place coils and stents).
BAF posts their webinars online (if you were not already aware) and I thought of one that may be of interest:
Living with a Brain Aneurysm Diagnosis: Struggles of Watching and Waiting
Regarding a second opinion though, my question would be why NOT get a second opinion? What harm could it do? My fervent wish is that YOU are comfortable with your doctor/s and their recommendations and I see no harm in getting that second opinion if it makes you more confident or opens up a new direction for you.
Throughout my journey, I was encouraged to take up mindfulness to help manage my stress and anxiety. I was asked to create a new topic with links to things I do, so I wanted to link to that IF that is of any interest to you. My wearables do suggest that they work for me most times, but I appreciate it is not for everyone.
Wishing you all the best. Please let us know what we can do to support you!
Fin Whale Fan 
1 Like
Welcome again and thanks for starting a new topic! I’ve moved it to the General tab just in case you were wondering. Car problems suck, especially with all the electronics on them. It seems they’re not made to last 20 years or more any longer since the computers can only handle so many upgrades. The nickel and diming seems to happen much faster. I feel for you.
I’m easily confused since I ruptured so I need a bit of clarification if you don’t mind. Who is it that wants the second opinion, you or the neurosurgeon? I’m presuming you, but I’ve been known to be wrong. Did your Neurosurgeon recommend an angiogram? Since rupturing, I’ve learned it’s the “gold star” in them seeing exactly what’s going on.
I’m in agreement with @FinWhaleFan on everything. If you’re not comfortable with your surgeon what’s the harm in finding another? I like mine, she answers my questions well. In the beginning I had to ask her to dumb it down so we could understand. Don’t shake your head in agreement if you don’t understand there’s no shame in getting a doctor to explain. You just have to be brave enough to ask or tell whichever the case may be.
2 Likes
One neurologist surgeon here said let’s wait and watch..then another insisted I come in and discuss outcomes and is referring me to WASH U..REPORTS SAID IT WAS 3 to 4 mm..he kept saying it was 7..no symptoms but lots of anxiety now..BP is under control with meds.angiogram scares me..gonna talk to my gp and get his input…yikes
Sometimes we get conflicting information and it sure makes it difficult. I had to look up WashU and wow! They sure rank high with research grants from NIH. That’s impressive to me. Dad went to Mercy in Springfield for his cancer treatments before they moved here to NC. It’s the only hospital I knew of before you shared. I have had 2 neurosurgeons one for my back to do what he called emergency surgery which happened a week after I met him. He took me out of work for that week. The next year I ruptured and met my second and current neurosurgeon. She’s been in my brain 7 times. Always makes me think of the old HenryVIII song.
One time I had the results in from the MRI/A and got confused as heck. We asked her about it, she said no that’s not right, looked at the findings, jumped up, made a call from across the hallway and fussed someone on the other end out pretty good. Before she came back and sat down, it was fixed. Seems someone put another patients findings in my chart. Since we’ve moved, I usually get my brain images at the local hospital instead of driving an hour or so one way I have 0 faith in the radiologists and always ask my neurosurgeon to read them. The first I had refused to put his final findings in until he could look at past images. My neurologist at the time didn’t know Atrium Health and WFBH had merged until I showed him. He hadn’t received the memo yet. So we called WFBH and had all the images from there sent and I went to the local hospital and got a copy of all the images I’d had there. We had a good laugh the next neurology appointment when he said he didn’t need my mammograms and I got over a little bit of embarrassment. That radiologist finally put his findings in, I swear he just copy and pasted from one of the first ones for the most part. The last set didn’t even mention my aneurysm which should have said something about the coils and stent which even I can see. But by then my neurosurgeon could easily access the images and see them for herself. She used to teach the classes so I’m pretty confident she knows what she’s doing. I see her towards the end of next month, she’s already ordered the images to be done there right before the appointment. Unfortunately it means I won’t be able to get a list of questions ready before I see her. Since that one incident their radiology department is very careful about not posting findings until she signs off on them
I’m hoping with you going to a prestigious hospital, they’ll be able to sort things out. By the information available online, they really do sound impressive. When is the appointment with them? Have you thought about questions you’d like answers to? Do you have any family or friends you can talk with and see if they have any questions? Oh and someone who can go with you? Always helps to have physical support groups. Seems as we age, those can get smaller though doesn’t it?
How’s the car doing? Can the mechanic fix it at a reasonable cost? If not, you may have a bus available to take you back and forth to WashU. The last county we lived in had public transportation and I could take the short bus we found out all the way from our driveway into WinstonSalem if need be. They said they’d wait for me to finish up with the neurosurgeon. BH wasn’t having that, always took off work for the day. We developed traditions of a sort. We’d go to our favorite restaurant, try to hit the tea shop, sometimes go to Old Salem for a nice walk about if weather and time permitted.
Angiograms would have us spend the night most times since it was less stressful for BH and I was able to get a discount at a nice hotel making it just a few dollars more than the one available for patients that always seemed full. Big treat for us and well worth it. Couldn’t do a walk about after an angiogram since most were through the femoral artery. There’s lots of rules that come with an angiogram, have to bring someone with you since you can’t drive home, weight limits, having somebody physically with you for 24 hours, those kind of things. But if it’s just a diagnostic angiogram you get to go home the same day usually. When getting coils, stents, mesh or any other endovascular repair done spend one night and get to go home the next day if all is good.
Glad to hear you’ve got your BP under control, that’s great! I’m obviously going to highly recommend you take walks, stay hydrated and do some form of relaxation breathing. I do sound like a broken record and I won’t apologize for it. I cannot seem to stress enough learning relaxation breathing. But it must be practiced every day all day until it becomes as much a part of you as getting dressed. One can’t try just a couple of times and give up on it insisting it doesn’t work. It will take a few months of practicing numerous times a day, when you get up, when you’re on the toilet, before and after you eat, when you go to bed. One also has to learn their triggers when they first start feeling anxious or mad or upset and focus on doing it immediately. If you’re focusing on your breathing, it helps clear the mind, relaxes muscles and reduces blood pressure. Triggers can be a lot of different things that I can’t get into but our bodies react in some similar ways, maybe a tightness in the stomach, making a fist, clenching teeth or jaws, neck gets tight, heart rate increases, whatever yours is, start the type of relaxation breathing you’ve chosen to practice immediately.
Keep talking to us, ask questions, we are always here.
1 Like
Still haven’t heard when I go..the referral desk is working on it..lol.No word on car ..been researching a replacement..I have friends and family who will get me there and back when necessary.I am still anxious and so weird cause I was always a blow it off kind of gal…forward..move on..thankfully no depression..Just anxious and I think that is normal.I am getting back to water aerobics walking..and kayaked today..it was quite wonderful!!!I played golf last week..been mowing and trying to keep busy.No headaches or weird pains..neck hurts but has for years ..I am trying to breathe thru my anxiety..sometimes works..Going to local food co op to get some natural meds tomorrow..Still can’t figure out why one neurosurgeon was wait and watch but other was now..and still have dispute in size…ugh..I’m a just gotta know type and all these discrepancies are driving my anxiety!!!Ent and gp in 10 days..so will bide my time fully realizing if it’s my time so be it!!you all take care and carry on…appreciate any insite!!!
1 Like
Sounds like everything you’re doing is fun, I’d certainly keep enjoying life!
Still looking for another opinion …Wash U doesnt take my insurance..boo..no word on the car..ugh..but carrying on..What will be will be…Ive had a lot of good years and am, a pretty tough old gal..and hoping to be chill via a pill soon!!!Did find out m y insurance will pay for medic alert…so that is good..oh and also found out my annie is the size of a grain of rice via google…knowledge is power!!! Hope all onthis site are doing well…find great comfort and knowledge in it!
2 Likes
I wasn’t knowledgeable about the metric system except occasional use of a tape that has both imperial and metric. We sure didn’t learn it in school, I vaguely remember an attempt back in the '60’s but parents couldn’t help so the district stopped trying. Expectations of parents and teachers sure were different back then! Anyhow they told me the size of mine “the size of a pea”. I asked them which variety
There was a few years where I kept receiving letters from insurance and providers, seems they have to negotiate a contract each year. Do you know if the hospital and your insurance are in negotiations? The insurance company should be able to tell you. There should also be another hospital in your area that does take it. Another alternative is to change your insurance provider when the time comes but make sure the medical providers you have will take the different insurance. I learned once you cross over to Medicare/Medicaid PCPs are near impossible to get if you need a different one, parents had to find an Internist when they moved to NC in their late 70’s.
Wishing you the best the universe provides!
Car is junk…search is on today with my daughter…no word on the search for a covered ins. doc and hospital to do cerebral angio…they do the work and give me alist of options…so life goes on!!!my annie has no neck..go figure…I dont either..LOL..original doc thinks may be congenital…here’s hoping to see my 80th birthday at Christmas!!! and yes my age does play into all this I do believe…
3-4mm is about ⅛ inch. If ever folks in the US need to translate millimetres to inches, any search engine will do that for you.
1 Like
I’m a metric person and as Dick mentioned, I also have to rely on an App on my phone. If someone says 4 mm I know exactly what it is, but 1/8 inch and I scratch my head and can’t figure it out 
1 Like
@DickD and @oct20 y’all had me chuckling this morning, I just ask BH for the conversion seems some engineers here do use the metric system in drawings. On my JD1025r it has both metric and standard bolts. I need an app that can fix. Those dang pesky 10mm sockets that grow legs and disappear.
1 Like
Hope you find a car you like! We have friends in their 70’s that get vehicles every couple of years it seems, they really like their Honda Cr-V’s but last year one was traded in for a used Ford Maverick , they really like the dual cab and it being a hybrid. We had to trade the Edge in this year and picked up an Outback. I had a great relationship with the Edge since it was my work vehicle and was in it a lot. But parts were getting to the point it wasn’t worth keeping anymore. I’m still trying to get used to the motor shutting off at extended stops but I could see where it would come in handy in rush hour traffic of a metropolis. The 4cyl automatic is powerful enough for our needs and easy to park.
I ruptured when I was 53 and told my neurosurgeon around the 3rd repair attempt that I hoped I didn’t have to come when I was 80. She told me not to worry, she wouldn’t go into my brain when I’m 80. My last angiogram, I had an oopsey moment and now she won’t go back in unless it’s to save my life. I’m good with that. Having dealt with my parents and surgical procedures after 80, I learned there’s a much higher risk at least for cardio surgery. I think you’re on to something with the age thing.
Sounds like you have a fusiform aneurysm About Brain Aneurysms - Brain Aneurysm Foundation . And this Radiopaedia.org
Let us know when your insurance company gets it all figured out for you.
thanx for the sites…thanks for the heads up… and the fact that I may be right to choose wait and watch…my only question is if it ruptures and no one here to fix whats the alternatives???we have a trauma hospital but obviously no one that does annie repair/angiograms.. they do do carotid but no brain here…and no word from ins. so must be having a hard time finding me a doc.Buying a Kia Seltos this AM…grocery getter but good news is I can get my kayak in it…and had a wonderful mommy and me day with my beautiful daughter so I will count losing my great car a win!!! Hoping you all enjoy the sonshine and the sunshine!!!
I’m no expert in insurance by any stretch of the imagination. My Social Work experience here in NC taught me that hospitals have ways of helping the uninsured to pay their bills through Medicaid emergency funds. The hospital contacts the Department of Social Services and lets them know who does the paperwork, If a patient has to be transferred to a bigger hospital the emergency funding follows the patient.
When I ruptured, I was taken to our local hospital and they did the initial imaging and tried to stabilize me before getting on the helicopter. I was supposed to have been knocked out for the ride, but I kept waking up. The RN said he’d given me enough to knock out a horse, I said try an elephant. He and the pilot discussed where in the air they were so he’d know which hospital to call. He was hoping they’d made it to Baptist coverage but they were still in the first ER’s coverage. He received the order to give me more of whatever medication it was, Arrived at Baptist and taken to their ER for the night. I heard two things - there was too much blood and they’d given me too much medication. I wasn’t operated on until the next morning. Brenner’s Children Hospital is part of Baptist and I know they take emergency Medicaid. My guess is that should you rupture, the closest hospital will send you to the hospital that can work on you and they’ll figure out the insurance dilemma.
Yay on getting a car that can carry your kayak! Hope it’s a beautiful day for it today!
1 Like
If you do get answers as to where you should go if in rupture, you could always wear a medical bracelet that tells emergency crews about you and where to take you. I have a different condition than almost everyone here because I have something called a brain AVM but it presents similar risks. We have a sister support forum for AVM patients but I hang around here occasionally to help @Moltroub with moderating. In a similar way to you, there was no neurosurgery practice in my local city, so I bought a soft silicone medical bracelet and had it ‘engraved’ with my medical details, my hospital ID, the name of the hospital in the bigger city and my wife’s cellphone number while I was waiting for treatment.
The other thing I did was to go to work every day (Mon-Fri) rather than work from home. Initially my boss was keen that I work from home until I pointed out that I would be much much safer in an environment with other people than alone at home for long hours each day. She agreed.
1 Like
@Moltroub I use an App called Converter it is easy to use when hubby is not around. He has tried to teach me how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius and back, I almost know how to do it. But inch to centimeter, fot to decimeter, mile to kilometer. 20+ years and counting, I still don’t get it so I have started to blame it on my brain bleed
1 Like
You made me laugh out loud this morning, thanks! I usually just run it in the internet search when I need a conversion if BH isn’t handy. I will look into Conversion, thanks for that! I remember when the State of California put a sign on the Pomona Freeway in '76 that showed distance to Pomona in miles and kilometers but they didn’t put one on the other side showing distance to Los Angeles in both, just miles. I blame all my lack of math skills now on my rupture, I just tell folks it’s a brain thing