Hello everyone i am Serena and asking this qus on behalf of my mum. She was diagnosed with a cavernous sinus anni 3 months ago, her vision has luckily restored but is dealing with constant headaches daily. The headaches can vary and progressively get worse throughout the day, which is having a big effect on her life. As the anni is large like a mass the risks of an operation are high as opposed to wait and see treatment.
I think if mum knew this was how life would be from now on she may choose to have the op.
Does anyone have the same ? and will the symptoms settle over time? or in reality is this how living with the anni is going to be?
PLease help, it does not help as mum does not feel at all comfortable with her neuro dr either?
I had a giant carotid aneurysm in the cavernous sinus. I had it coiled and the carotid occluded in Dec 2011. My double vision is now almost better and no longer interferes with normal life. My headaches got worse following the procedure then eased over several months though I still get daily aches, which are worse with thinking! I also had nerve irritation due to the aneurysm, the trigeminal nerve, and need to take amitriptyline at night to minimise it. On the whole, though, I feel much better than I did pre-procedure and though not back at work can now do all the normal things in life including exercise (and enjoy them). The reasons I'm not at work are memory and cognitive problems. These got much worse post procedure, but my headaches, vision, tiredness had taken me off work before I got to a diagnosis.
I just spotted you are in the UK where is seems to be easier to get to the right neurosurgical team that it is for the USA people on this site. I assume she has been seen by a neurosurgeon in her regional neurosurgical unit. Not all centres in the UK do the flow diverting stent technique, so she should perhaps enquire about it's availablity or whether it would be appropriate. If her pains are actually getting worse she should contact them to discuss. The may have a Neurovascular Nurse Specialist as a first point of contact.