Unruptured brain aneurysm, positive stories please I'm so frightened

[Stunned1]

It was found during an MRI with contrast. The neurologist thinks it was an incidental finding and not the cause of my symptoms (migraines)

My grandmother died from an undetected aneurysm which ruptured so whilst I'm fortunate to have had mine detected before a rupture I'm still really scared.

I'm being referred to a neurosurgeon who will likely do some more examinations before deciding on a treatment plan, if one is possible.

I would so love to hear some positive stories about people in my position as right now I can't even look at my lovely children without wanting to burst into tears :(

Thank you for reading

I watched that program after it was recommended to me, I was amazed at how mobile and lucid the elderly patient was the day after the surgery. Amazing stuff 🙂

At your appointment they'll discuss your options . Sometimes it's safer not to treat . Go for minimally invasive coiling not surgery though it's much safer.

www.brainandspine.org.uk/health-information/fact-sheets/coiling-of-brain-aneurysms/

Not me personally, but my mom who had one in her 60’s, she had symptoms for about a year until they financially did an MRI. She had the procedure quite soon afterwards, all went ok, she had the follow ups to check it had reduced with the stent and is fully discharged now with no lasting symptoms or issues. The aneurism was the size of a 50p so quite big, she was lucky it was found.

Mine is 10mm at the moment so I think that translates as a medium sized one, but seems huge to me when I've read so much about 2mm-3mm ones.

I would definitely opt for coiling/stenting if given the choice. I assumed I wouldn't have much of a say and they'd go with what they think is best.

I really hope its not one thats best left without treatment, that's my biggest fear at the moment.

I'm glad your mum is OK Badger. Can I ask what symptoms she had? My neurologist said she thinks mine was an incidental finding but all my symptoms tally up with most of the symptomatic people in the support groups IE chronic migraine, vertigo, eye pain, tinnitus etc.

Update after my call with the neurosurgeon.

My aneurysm has some "nodules?" and isn't the smooth type that they like to see, also my blood flow through said aneurysm is "turbulent?" so they want to do surgery but I had the choice of which type IE craniotomy or endovascular.

I opted for endovascular so I'm being passed to the people who do that procedure (as the man I spoke with today does the clippings) and I'll be having that ASAP. I asked for a time frame and was told likely within 3 months or so.

So not great news about the aneurysm itself but great news that they're gonna sort it and I won't be waiting too long 🙂

I forgot to ask about restrictions so I'm not sure if I can continue going to the gym etc. Gonna try leave a message with the secretary and ask for my questions to be passed on.

Oh gosh, more waiting, but at least now there’s a plan, @Stunned1 . You can focus now on getting as healthy as possible for your surgery.

Hi I'm so pleased you've now got an answer and a plan.
It does make me laugh when doctors ask you what would you like to do.
It's bad enough trying to choose between say two creams but this is a big choice to ask you to make.

Yet they are very very specialised and we have to trust them.

From what I've learnt coiling can be very successful and the least invasive. There's no bleed and damage so it's a far easier op than going in to a ruptured one.

I'd advise caution with activity and just looking after your wellbeing generally.

The operation is bonkers amazing really. Let me know if I can tell you anything.

X

My mums main symptoms were vision issues, double and blurred vision and also some headaches but mainly vision.

Thank you MNers :)

It's reassuring to have a plan in place even if it does mean another dreaded waiting game. I'm going to ask to be put onto the cancellations list when I hear from the endovascular team so if anyone cancels I may be seen quicker.

My vision has declined terribly over the last year too! Im as blind as a bat without contacts now. Neurologist thought it was all unrelated but I've heard so many accounts of people with the same symptoms as me being diagnosed with aneurysm it can't be a coincidence can it?

I guess it's the placement of the aneurysm.
I had a year of vertigo, migraines spaced out.
Thoroughly investigated balance clinic MRI scans.
Nothing was found.

Even when mine burst they couldn't see it on the scan at first, I had to have a dye intravenously then another scan.

They said the above symptoms were not related. Then I saw another neurologist who said oh no wonder you've been having headaches.

It's rather confusing.

Xx