Lifting restrictions

[pamuk]

Are any of you restricted on the weight you can lift. When I was diagnosed with annies I was told not to lift anything heavy enough to cause me to feel strain as this would increase the rupture risk. Now it is fourteen months since the three larger annies were treated. I still have two small annies which have not changed in the past two years and which are being monitored and which my neuroradiologist is unconcerned about No one given any further advice on lifting so I am still observing the rule, in fact I dont lift anything remotely heavy even shopping! but I wondered if I was being a bit over cautious. Anyone any advice.

pam

[FireflyR7]

:confused: What does your Dr. say?? I wouldn't lift too much! I am still catious too. I would just try a little more at a time and see how you feel? If you get a headache, go back down! :o You have to learn to listen to your body. When was the last time they checked the small ones? Mine was only 4mm after rupture, how big are yours that are not treated? Where are they? I would be careful having untreated ones?? I was working & lifting when mine blew??? I would talk to your NS?? It is not worth the risk hun! ;) Take care sweetie! Love Tricia :cool:

[pamuk]

Hi Firefly

Thanks for your good advice, I guess it is sensible to watch the lifting. Re the two untreated annies, my neuro says they are both under 3mm and havent changed since he first diagnosed them in Nov 2004. I have asked him to operate on them and he says he wont risk clipping them due to their location and they are too small to coil and my risk of a stroke would be increased - he says it takes longer to coil a small annie than a larger annie and this increases the stroke risk. When I had my last annie coiled the smallest of the three he has treated it took him a lot longer than he anticipated and that annie was 6mm and as they were finishing the procedure and looking on the angiogram screen they noticed a blood clot had formed in another part of my brain, they immediately put extra blood thinners in the anaesthetic line to disperse it and I guess I was lucky because if the clot had formed once they had finished the procedure well they wouldnt have known until I got the stroke symptoms, so I guess this is what makes him apprehensive about coiling these smaller annies. However, when I see him again in June 07 when I have another scan to check the other three coiled annies as well as these two smaller ones I am going to ask again because I do find it hard living with these two.

Thanks again my friend, by the way have your heard from Mimi?

pam

[Diane118]

Hi Pam!

Just checking the board during my lunch break. You know, the restrictions on lifting seem to make so much sense, but I have to tell you, I was never given any such restrictions by any of my doctors. I just was careful and asked other people to lift heavy things for me for a few years. But now I'm back to lifting heavy luggage and boxes when I'm moving things around the house or office. Maybe I should ask my doctor the next time I see him.

Hang in there!
Diane

[Stacy Gile Watson]

Hi - I had a rupture in June 05. I recently asked my neurologist about lifting and was told I should limit lifting to a gallon of milk. But most importantly was told not to lift over my head. Take care. Stacy

[Kathie]

Hi Pam
Like Diane, it was never really explained to me what my restrictions were in regards to lifting limitations, but I was careful none the less. I probably do lift heavier weights now than I should, although I still won't do any heavy digging etc in the garden.
Stacy it's interesting that you should mention not lifting above your head. I still get a little light-headed if I have my arms raised above my head for too long. I don't need to be lifting anything of great weight either. It's almost as though the circulation has been cut.
Weird! Or maybe it's just me. :o

[cindybear]

I have a inoperable brain aneurysm ( that has growed twice ) ,,My restrictions are not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk..then a gallon of milk, not often..NO STRAINING.....EVER !!!! sorry ,thats a biggy....I guess that can cause high pressure in the brain...Or something like that...I'm not suppose to get my pulse or BP up...NO STRESS, sorry again, another biggy, Check BP everyday, Like it on the low side, Alloud to drive 10 miles only if I have a cell phone in my car...Thats all I can think of right away,,I'm sure there is more,,,Hugs, Cindy

[jordal]

i as put on lifting restrictions. 15 lbs and yes none over head.. my annie is not yet treated find out what they gonna do nov6 no straining, no stress (easier said than done) no vibrations (like lawn mower ect,) no travil longer than 1 hour. the ns put lots more on. dont like them (used to being self sufficient and indipendant) but i follow them pretty close. it does get easier asking for help. i am on disability now so i dont have to worry about work and restrictions.. that is good, iv always been heavy lifting, physical jobs. i dont know how the ns will handle this aft surgery... i have b.p. that is low (sometimes too low) but ns said that that is my best defence. best of luck... jordal

[Suzanne*Canada]

WEll i totally agree that lifting should be limited .... any strain on your arteries is no good! Especially since you have untreated ones hun....no heavy lifting ( the neuro I spoke with said no more then a bag of sugar), no hottubs or saunas, no exercises in which your head goes below your heart ( as in Downward Dog in Yoga), limit caffeine etc etc so I think the heavy lifting is a no no....
Hugs and hope you are doing well Pam.

Suzanne

[Diane118]

Suzanne, interesting limitation on activities where your head is below your heart -- I've noticed that I get very dizzy when I bend down to look at the files on the lowest shelf in the office. I thought it might be due to my being out of shape and/or because I'm on blood pressure meds. And the past couple days I've had a bad cold and when I bend down, I feel pain in my head near my left ear (kind of where my coiled annie is behind my left eye). I wonder if it is related to my annie or a coincidence? Wierd!! I have to schedule an appointment with the neurologist, so I'll add to the list of questions (now just have to call).

Diane

[Nancy D]

My DR told me no lifting over 20 lbs. I'm 8 days post surgery. I put my couch cushions between my box spring and matress to keep my head elevated at night. :D

[joannef]

This is an interesting thread, Pam!

I too wasn't told specifically that I had any restrictions on lifting (other than that first month after rupture -- when I was told no straining of any kind!). But when I had my eye surgeries, I was told no lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk.

As for the lifting over your head, the other day I tried to lift up a rather large and heavy toy unicorn (the kind kids can sit on!) at the bookstore where I work (yes, we also sell toys) to display it on top of a bookcase, and I felt the weirdest feeling in my head and immediately put it back down on the floor.

I think the best thing to do is trust your instincts and listen to your body. If you feel it's too heavy, don't lift it!

Hugs,
Joanne

[Suzanne*Canada]

Exactly Joanne! You also have to remember that a lot of people have ruptures while lifting weights at a gym... lifting puts lots of pressure on our brain as well as our hearts and muscles.. listen to your body! if you feel any pressure drop it!

Best wishes
Suzanne