Back from Angio

[joey]

Hi all Just returned home from my angio. Thanks all for your pre info, it certainly helped as I was very relaxed, knew what to expect during the exam and brought lots to eat and things to do during the 4 hours lying down after. Found out my annie is bigger than first thought (10mm) LICA, but in a good position for coiling. The doc is going to try for a coiling date in june. Can you give me some info as to what to expect re side effects and recovery time after. Also, any pre-surgery ideas. Thanks joey

[JulieNH]

Joey,
I can't give you too much pre-coiling only info, 'cause I had a rupture, but my 2 cents worth is bring some swet pants or scrubs to wear after the surgery. They're comfy, easy on, easy off, lots of extra room, and skip the embarassing johnny-only routine (way too exhibitionistic for my taste).

Bring a pair of sunglasses for the ride home, too much light can hurt your head. A pair of head phones (either connected to an IPOD or not) can fool the most talkative, busybody roommate:).

Tell your love ones or the extended family types to visit you once you get home, not at the hospital. We know they mean well. but you'll need to rest. Most importantly, allow yourself time to recover, rest is key!
JulieNH

[FireflyR7]

:) I am so glad the angio. went well! I am glad you are getting a date for surgery so soon!! I had a ruptured 4mm "Annie", so glad yours was caught before rupture!!! I had mine stented and coiled, it is good that they can coil it!! Much easier proceedure than clipping! It is basically like your angiogram, only you will be asleep this time. You will wake up down in recovery and then be taken to ICU after they get you awake and all ready to go up. You won't be able to raise your head or get out of bed in ICU. The ICU I was in was so awesome and took very good care of me both times!!!
I took a container of hand wipes so I could wipe off my face and esp. hands if I was going to eat something. I took word circle books... but, I had such a bad headache I didn't play them. (I had a rupture with complications before my surgeries though.) Hopefull you will sleep most of the time and only be in there a day or so?? ;) I will be keeping you in my prayers and will think of more stuff later to tell you. Can't think this morning, need more coffee! :p

Definately take sun glasses!!!! :cool: Even the room lights bothered me!!
I took the usually grooming things, deoderant, tooth brush... Makes you feel better to be somewhat clean! :p
My sis gave me some nice warm footies, it gets chilly in ICU sometimes.
Make sure you bring something baggy to wear home. Have an auto with lots of leg room and a reclining seat for the ride home!! Have whoever picks you up, pack a cooler with ice water for the ride home!! hubby or sis bought me a choc. shake. :D

Everyone is different when it comes to the surgery??? You need to have a talk with your doctor before you leave the hospital about your restrictions. I know you shouldn't be lifting, bending over, using that leg too much or straining for a few weeks!! Your brain will have a little swelling and will be trying to get use to those new coils in there. If you have a Dr's appointment before the surgery ask him to give you detailed recovery instructions, in writing!!
The best thing I can tell you from my experiance and what my Dr. told me. #1 sleep as much as you can, #2 stay well hydrated with water, stay away from soda and caffien. #3 don't try to do too much, have someone help you do things!! #4 listen to your body, it will tell you when you have had enough. You know your body and if you fell the need to call him and ask questions post surgery, don't be afraid too!!
My sis and husband took care of me around the clock the first few weeks. I was a rupture patient so I don't even remember the first 6 months??
I do know that is it a good time to relax, rest, try to do word games and other games to stimulate your brain! Get as much sleep as you can!!! Try to eat heathy, lots of fruits and veggies!!! Blueberries are supposed to be very good for the brain! :D I listen to music and write poetry... You need to find someting easy to do that you enjoy to do while you are healing. I have a Nentindo, brain memeory games I play.

I am so happy you got your answer and don't have long to wait for surgery!! Just don't do anything too strenuous before the surgery!!! That is how I popped mine. :o Try to take it easy, eat healthy and stay hydrated. And don't eat a whole lot the day before or a heavy meal the night before the surgery!!! (Eat early, you want to try to go potty before the surgery!!!! :p ) I am sure you will get more suggestions!! ;)

Take care and you will be in my prayers! Tricia

[TitaniumCranium]

Hey Joey -
Happy you got through angio without any problems. I did not have coiling done but some pre surgery things I would recommend ..... make a list of of important things that need done ... appts,birthdays, food you want in house, write passwords if you haven't and put in safe place, have favorite music on IPOD if you have one. My family set up a table with my lap top, music, drinks, TV remote. Have phone numbers available for whom is caring for you. My minister gave us a good suggestion.... have family/friend who will be with you leave updated voice mail on phone on your progress during surgery and immediate recovery so they do not have to repeat it so many times if they are not up to it.

Ask MD about side affects. A friend of mine had coiling and lost a patch of hair .... not sure if this is typical ... but we had hat day at work for her when she returned :D

Hope this helps. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you well.

T.C. :cool:

[sarahin]

Joey-
Well, I'm sure someone who has had a coiling will respond. I had a clipping. I recommend that you spend some time getting things ready at home to make it as easy as possible for yourself post op. If you read, get some books. If you won't have someone to cook for you, get frozen or canned stuff. Let us know when you get your surgery date.
Sarah

[pamuk]

Hi Joey

I am pleased you got through your angio ok. I have had three unruptured annies coiled in two seperate procedures. The coiling is done through angiogram procedure (except for the coiling you are under general anaesthetic)

After the procedure was over I was woken in theatre then transferred to a high dependency unit for monitoring overnight. i was well enough to talk to my hubby immediately after both procedures, and apart from some headache it really wasnt too bad at all. I had headache on coming round after the first
annie was coiled, when I had the next two coiled four months later, I actually woke up in theatre thinking they hadnt started the op, because i felt so ok, that time it was several hours later that the headache develeoped, but both times the nursing staff gave me good painkillers so I was ok.

I live in England and here it is routine for you to stay in hosp 5 days for an elective coiling, so after my overnight stay in the High Dependency Unit I spend the remainder of the time in a general ward.

Fatigue was my main issue and it did last a long time, I had to learn to pace myself, and it took a while for me to work out how much is too much. What I thought was not too much pre op, certainly was post op. I had some eye pain and vision problems for a while due to the fact that one of my annies that was coiled was close to the optic nerve.

It is now almost two years since my last coiling, I have had check ups and all is well, due for my next check up soon, I lead a perfectly normal life now, just the same as I did before the coiling.

If you need any more info dont hesitate to ask or send me a PM

pam from england

[pamuk]

Hi Joey

I meant to add to my last post to you about coiling that the Brain and Spine Foundation in London produce an excellent booklet on Coiling of Brain Aneurysms, you can download it free, it helped me a great deal.

You can get it by going to

brainandspine.org.uk
click on information
click on publications/booklets
and you will see the link for the booklet coiling of brain aneurysms.

If I can help you with any queries you have dont hesitiate to ask

pam

[ChrisC]

Joey, I had coiling done 2 weeks after a failed clipping attempt. I was in ICU overnite and home within 24 hours. I did have the headache, but it was well controlled with medication - they gave me darvocet and it worked well. The most important thing is to rest, and then rest again. It's still brain surgery and your body has to adjust to the new foreign things (coils) in your head (ergo, the headache). Just take one day at a time, and don't push yourself. My prayers will be with you - hope you get your date soon. Where will this be done??

[tg_is_me]

Hi Joey
I had an unruptured annie coiled in January. Most of the people here have had ruptures and/or clipping so I haven't been able to help but I can answer some of your questions. We seem to be a minority (diagnosed before a rupture) Mine was also in the left ICA. I was in hospital for 3 days after coiling. It was the same as the angio but under general anaethetic which took about 2 hours. I woke up in recovery and was pretty good. I wasn't allowed out of bed for 24 hours to give the artery time to heal. I did have a headache but it wasn't too bad. I had a drip and a catheter in for 24 hours.
The nurses drove me crazy the first night with neuro obs every half hour. They ask you "what's your name, what's the day, what's the date, where are you, wriggle your toes, they take your temperature and BP, shine a light in your eyes and this just goes on and on and on till you feel like giving them a recording. They let me out after 3 days and I just rested and was back at work a week later. I did have headaches off and on for about a month but this can be normal as the body adjusts to the coils and stents and also the nerves have been irritated having the procedure. I still get a few headaches now but they aren't bad. I had more trouble getting over the emotional side of it all. I found it such a scary stressful few weeks waiting for surgery and then recovering and everyone here will tell you that the emotional healing takes time. You emtional bank has been completely emptied and you need to refill it. Have lots of rest and "lean" on people for support especially the ones in here that know exactly what you are going through. I did post a reply on the sticky "usefule websites" that shows an aneurysm being coiled in a video. This is really amazing so check it out. I hope all goes well for you. You are in my thoughts.
Tina

[joey]

Thanks all of you for your replies. Julie I will definitely pack the sweats, and sunglasses sound like a great idea. Tricia, I always love reading your newsy replies full of info. I have really been eating healthy, resting and staying well-hydrated in prep for surgery. TC that reminds me I must update all my password lists and other info for the fam. Sarah, I have got tons of books and now have a friend coming over next week for a cooking day, in order to freeze a bunch of individual meals. Chris, my surgery will be at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. As I am from out of town, I will be in hospital 2 nights after the op, and then plan on lots of resting. Pam, I can imagine the fatigue, especially the emotional side that will take a while to get over. Mine is also near the optic nerve-left ICA. I downloaded the booklet on coiling and it is a great info tool for family and friends. The video is pretty cool. Well, it is a waiting game for my date now. Will let you all know. I'm ready to have this annie fixed up. Thanks again for all your advice.
joey

[FireflyR7]

:) Thanks for your kind words! My "Annie" is also next to my left opyical artery and communicating arteries. (It will be 2 years post sugeries in Sept. & Oct. of 05) I am happy you are a coiling candidate!! It is a much easier surgery. At least you found it before it ruptured!!! I know you will be glad to get it over with!! I am sure you will do fine!! :D
I have been dealing with a rupture recovery and have done a lot of research, my Dr's have also taught me a lot too! I had some knowledge before mine, being a firefighter/first responder. My hubby and I pretty well knew what it was, it was ashame it took so long for the Dr's to listen??
If you have any questions just let me know. I will be keeping you in my prayers!! Tricia

[Horsegirl]

Joey,

I was also coiled prior to a rupture. I spent a day in the ICU and then went home. The thing that was hard for me was that I walked in feeling great, and woke up unable to move for the 24 hour time while you clot, and that was tough. I felt so weak and my leg hurt alot when I had the catheter in it. Make sure you drink LOTS of water and eat when you are in that 24 hour stage. I didn't feel like it, and when it was time for me to get up and move around, I was really dizzy and nearly passed out. Also, I didn't sleep a wink while in ICU. That sucked.

Since I had my angio just a few days before my surgery, I was very sore in the leg and shuffled around for about a week. I echo that you need to take it easy, REST and rely on those around you to help out. I tried too much too soon, and now looking back, that was a mistake. The emotional drain was also the biggest part for me too. I had mine in January, and I still think about it all the time, and I have had to slow down my pace a little to adapt. Words sometimes allude me, and I forget sometimes, so I also write everything down, just in case. Also, I really didn't feel like talking for a few weeks after. That was hard for some friends, I kept everything short. It drained me to have long conversations. I wish I would have known that so I could have told them before hand.

All in all, I came through with flying colors and feel excellent, and I am so glad it was found. I know you will feel the same way once you get through it. We are truly lucky!

I will be thinking of you! Take care.

[runn nscared]

im new here i jus found out i have a7mm dont know whwt to do can some one help please

[joey]

Thanks Horsegirl. I was starving after my angio so will have snacks ready for that 24 hour lie down after the op. I am getting things ready for after when I return home - food in the freezer, organizing stuff at work etc. so as to be able to take it easy for a bit. To new member runn nscared, give us some info as to your annie story. This is a great site for info and support. Joey