Hi,
My mother had a brain aneurysm burst at age 50. She basically made a full recovery!
Her mother died of a BA rupture at age 50.
How / Where do I start to do a preventive scan? Do I need to set up through a general practitioner? call neurosurgeons? just go to an MRI place?
TIA
Hi @SWB001 - I would start with your PCP (primary care physician). He or she can refer you for a scan due to family history.
Hey Scott,
I agree with Jammies start with your PCP/GP. It really can depend on the health system. Here, in Australia, we need a GP to make a referral to a neuro/specialist who then makes a referral/request for a MRI scan. GP’s here generally don’t have the authority to make a referral for an MRI and it must be ordered by a specialist. Here, calling a neuro direct is a waste of time as they will only see patients who have a referral from a GP and it’s the same with visiting the radiologist, without the appropriate referral from a specialist the request won’t work.
But as I say, it can depend on the health systems in place.
Merl from the Moderator Support Team
Welcome! I would start with the PCP. I live in the States, my family doctor can order MRI/MRAs. Just explain your concerns as you did here. It’s more a concern if your insurance will pay…
Oh and my niece did tell her neurologist who said the next time she has a migraine, she will order an MRA to make sure she doesn’t have an aneurysm. My Neurosurgeon told us to tell my family members so they could all get checked. If I remember correctly, there’s a small percentage of familial aneurysms. But do the research and go to your GP with that information.