unruptured coiling

[pat benton]

Hi I've not been hear for a while, I've tired to log on but I know there has been a problem with the site. I've just had my unruptured annie coiled and was wondering if anyone could answer me a couple of questions.
First one;- how sucessfully is the coiling, has anyone had to have additional coils put in or has anyone had to have thier annie clipped because the coiling failed? And secondly:- I've only got one annie (and thats enough) does anyone know if its common to have one or more and are you more likely to get more once you've got one.

I be really greatfull for any replys.

Many Thanks
Pat

[snapdragon]

:) HI Pat, glad to hear your surgery is over, the waiting is so hard . I had clipping ,so I don't know alot about coiling,but I only had the 1 annie too. My surgery was in Jan.2000,MRI scans have not shown any more . Dr .s do say that you MAY be more pron to have more,and they may not be in the brain. I had one rupture behind the knee ,it caused what they called a large hematoma,that hurt like the devil and had to stay off my feet for a few days. The DR.s also like you to keep your blood pressure on the low side . :) Hope this helps a little , take care .(((HUGS))) Snap

[Happydaze]

Hi Pat - I'm glad you are doing well after your sugery. I had a rupture that was coiled and I am checked with an MRI/MRA every six months. For how long, I don't know at this point. I have had no extra coils needed but that is one of the things that they are keeping an eye on. Your follow up care is very important with a coiling. My surgeon told me that the coiling is obviously less invasive than a clipping but one of the drawbacks is the long follow-up and the possibility that it may need to be clipped in the future-or more coils added. So Far I have been fine and its been 3 years!-Talk it over with your NS just to ease your mind. Take care!

Martie

[pamuk]

Hi Pat

I am glad you found this site. The question of compactin of coils was brought up at the support group I attend attached to the hospital in the North East of England where I had my three unruptured annies coiled. Yes coils can compact and yes people may need to have more added however they did explain that even if they compact this does not necessarily mean surgery/more coils adding. My consultants neuroradiographer explained d an annie rupture to us and where it ruptures - which is usually at the weakest point away from the artery wall i.e. it is rarely at the neck of the annie. When they coil an annie they pack it with platinum coils to prevent blood getting into the annie, if the coils compact then the gap is usually at the top near the annie neck however the remaining coils will still prevent the blood getting into the annie and to the weakest spot. If the annie has been 100% occluded at the time of surgery even with a little compactin it is usually ok.I think a lot depends on whether they got it 100% occluded or not, if there was less of an occlusion then there is less scope if compactin occurs. It was also explained that if extra coils do have to be added well then the procedure is likely to take a lot less time than a full annie coiling. I am pleased to say that one year on from surgery all of my three coiled annies remained 100% occluded with no evidence of compactin

Re your other question re more annies developing, that I guess is a fear amongst all of us I have a total of five annies three have been treated two are still being monitored and of course there is always the fear of developing more. However, as a coiling patient I am reassured by the fact that I will have regular check ups (to check the coils etc) which of course would detect any others if others were to develop. You too will have regular check ups and although they create apprehension you will have the reassurance that if anything was to develop it would be noticed.

Hope this helps

pam from england

[pat benton]

Hi ..Pam thanks for the info. Just one other thing, I was given the inpression that I would only be monitored for about two years. Is this correct? or have i missunderstood.

Thanks Pat

[Kathie]

Welcome back Pat. Good to hear you've had your annie "fixed". I also had mine coiled, although mine ruptured. It seems that everyone is different in regards to their follow-up treatment. It all depends on your circumstances as well as the Country/State etc.... My rupture and coiling was over 2 1/2 years ago, but I'm having a MRI/MRA in December.
As for being re-coiled, I know there were a few from this site in the past, and I think it was Chris that had hers clipped after coiling failed. But I don't think it's all that common.

[cbannister]

I had a stent placed 2 weeks ago in my annie - it has been coiled twice previously and will be coiled again in 2 months - the coils had become compacted. I also just had another annie coiled. When I go back in December to have more coils in the large annie where they placed the stent this time the doc is also going to stent and coil 2 more annies. I have a total of 9 right now. I just found this site and though I hate for anyone to have annies it is nice to know someone understands what you are going thru. My doc says they are hereditary - my Dad had a couple about 30 years ago and my Sister has one now which was stented and coiled in 2003 which was when my large one was first coiled. I just moved to a new town and had to change docs, but previously I had to have follow-up angiograms every 6 months. Don't know yet what the protocol is for this new doc.

[ChrisC]

Pat, welcome! I was coiled after an unsuccessful clipping attempt (too close to my ophthalmic artery). I just passed the 3 year mark in July and had my followup angiogram Sept 8. I am cleared - never have to have another angio (pleases me GREATLY). It was recommended that I have an MRA every 5 years, and this was by my neuroradiologist that did the coiling. He said doing followups any closer than that is overkill. They watch us coiling patients pretty darned close, and they will catch anything that pops up, but you're right - one IS enough! Best to you!

Chris

[annie2105]

I have to admit, I had to have one clipped when coiling failed but my NS said it is rare!

[nicd]

Had 2 anuerysms (one ruptured) coiled in April of this year. I am going for my follow up angiogram on Dec 4th. Will let you know how I make out I am very nervous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nic in Canada

[pamuk]

Hi Pat

I would check with your neuroradiologist, my case is a bit different because they are also monitoring untreated annies. However, I had the first annie they coiled checked after three months - at the same time as they were coiling another two annies. Then I got all three of them checked together one year later. As I have two more they are monitoring I have to go again in a year, then every two years if all is well, my neuroradiologist told me that if it was just a case of checking the ones he had treated the programme would be to check in two years then three then every five.


regards

pam

[Lisa Sobocinski]

Hi Pat!!! I was diahnosed with 2 annie's. In week 2 of recovery on my first which was considered "giant" in annie terms. Had the clipping procedure done on it...1.5 cm in size...go back in a few weeks for surgery 2....much smaller...6mm in size...coiling will be done... I have been told I will be required every 3 months for follow-up's....please write or call anytime...communicationg has helped me immensely!!! Love to all, Lisa:) :o :D

[Chrys From Michigan]

Help!! I am going to the Dr. again today and I must decide which way to go, coiling or the other clipping. Had a very bad reaction to the angiogram ended up in ER upon almost reaching home. I am a WORRY WORT from way back and after reading some of the e-mails I am now sweating....I had NO idea that there are so many of us out there. Does anyone know of support groups in Michigan? Keep the faith, and stay strong.

Chrys:confused:

[hstupno]

Yes coils can compact and yes people may need to have more added however they did explain that even if they compact this does not necessarily mean surgery/more coils adding. My consultants neuroradiographer explained d an annie rupture to us and where it ruptures - which is usually at the weakest point away from the artery wall i.e. it is rarely at the neck of the annie.
pam from england


Thanks for this info Pam. I too have concerns with my freshly-coiled rupture. I have my first follow-up with my Dr. get the results from my MRI/MRA. I always fear I over did it upon my first week at home...and I'm pretty sure I did, but I have learned. I just hope it didn't do any damage, or if anything I actually DO would cause the coils to shrink. We'll see!

Heidi