Angiogram Questions

[tchadwick1]

Hi:

I've been diagnosed with a less than 3mm aneursym and will be going in for my first angiogram on the 6th of November. My aneursym was found by accident on a MRI. It is unruptured. I have been to three doctors and the last two have been wonderful. My current doctor, who is a specialist in coiling has told me that we need to do the angiogram to be 100% sure that it is smaller than 3mm. Right now he is 80% sure that it is this size and has told me that if it is less than 5mm, we will monitor it. Has anyone here had the same? Are you monitoring an aneursym instead of getting it fixed? My doctor has told me that there would be more of a risk to fix it right now than to just leave it alone.

Also, would any of you be willing to share how you got through the angiogram and any tips on how to deal with the 4 hours after the procedure of lying flat on your back?

I'm nervous, scared and somewhat depressed about this whole thing and just wish I could make the annie disapear!! :(

Thanks for listening to me!

[lhagsjr]

Where is it? An annie that small showed on your MRI? You are lucky. I read that they have a hard time showing up on an MRI/MRA if they are small....

[millerb68]

Hi! I had an angiogram for an aneurysm that was 6 mm. It wasn't too bad -- don't be nervous. Lying on my back for 6 hours was frustrating because I'm an extremely active person, and I wasn't able to read because I got a complicated migraine triggered by the dye after I woke up and couldn't see correctly. Overall, it wasn't too bad, just awkward trying to eat and drink while lying flat. My husband and other family members were there to talk to me and keep me entertained.

My doctors wanted to monitor my aneurysm, also, since it was right on the line of "do we act or do we wait?" I went in for the coiling procedure 2 months after my angiogram, and they found they were unable to do the procedure because of where the aneurysm was located. So the doctors then told me it was up to me whether to have the surgical clipping and craniotomy or to not do anything. I was going to wait, then there was an incident that scared my husband badly, and I ended up getting the clipping/craniotomy three months after the attemped coiling.

I certainly wouldn't suggest to anyone to have any kind of surgery if they didn't need it, but I think you have to make the best decision for you and your own peace of mind. I hope that you have good doctors that you trust and feel comfortable talking to about this.

Good luck!

[Craig]

I am presently being monitored with a 4.5mm aneurism. I unfortunately had my 1st aneurism rupture. Rupture is not a pleasant situation and I consider myelf lucky and fortunate to progress to where I am now. Chances of a rupture increase if you have already have had one rupture so it is a bit of a task to function normally in my every day life while monitoring but it is do-able. My decision has been to follow my Dr advice and he wants to monitor so here I am. It does not surprise me that he wants to leave alone if under 5mm. Many will say push to get it fixed but I choose to follow the experts. It is not easy to live day to day knowing there is this thing in your brain that could cause a big problem and it seems that most cannot live with a recomendation to just monitor. I honestly continue to have mixed feelings on my present course of monitor but I am taking his advice.

The angiogram is a peice of cake as far as I'm concerned. Getting a tooth filled is more stressful as far as I'm concerned. Some seem to be bothered a bit by it but after 4 of them I'm able to say it's no big deal to me.

[cbannister]

The angio isn't so bad. I have 9 annies. 7 annies that are being monitored. 2 are going to be coiled in December, 1 that has been coiled twice had a stent 2 weeks ago and will be coiled again in Dec. and another that was coiled two weeks ago. My docs say depends where they are and the size - sometimes it is better to monitor and wait. I know the waiting is hard, but I just pray and try not to worry about it.

[pamuk]

Hi, there, I was diagnosed with 5 annies, discovered by MRI scan when they were looking for something else which fortunately didnt exist. These annies were 8.5mm 7.5mm a 6mm and two at approx 3mm. They recommended treatment for the 8.5 and 7.5 mm (coiling) and said I could leave the 6mm to be monitored if I wished - I decided to have it coiled. The remaining two at 3mm they recommended monitoring saying that the risks of coiling/clipping them outweighed the rupture risk, so I took their advice. My three larger ones all were successfully coiled and I am monitored by MRA for the two smaller ones which have not changed in size or shape since diagnosis in November 2004.

Dont worry about the lying flat bit of the angiogram, it isnt too bad, my family kept me company

take care

pam from england

[Stacy Gile Watson]

Hi: I had a rupture in June of 2005. Try not to be too nervous about the angiogram. Yes, it is difficult to lay flat for 4 hours. I brought a cd player to pass the time and of course there is always the television. In all honesty the worst part was when I needed to go to the bathroom while laying flat (yes, in a bedpan). You will drink lots of water to flush the dye. In my case it was a follow-up angiogram in Jan. 2006 after 2 coiling procedures of one aneurysm (one in June and one in August). It was a relief to know that all was well following the rupture. I hope this helps and good luck to you. Stacy

[cindybear]

Alot of small annies are detected by MRI,,Then they do angiogram..Some are even as small 3mm..Check a ruler,,,Now that is small, But not for anybodies head, But amazing that we have something to detect them ..As small as they are..Hugs..Mine is 1centimeter by 6mm looks like a marble. It is the whole artery affected also know as fusiform..Hugs, Cindy

[Lisa Sobocinski]

I am in week 2 of recovery for my 1.5 cm annie. This clipped. Going today for 2nd follow-up with dr and schedule my second surgery for the 6mm annie. I have had 4 angiograms....read if you can or see if you can have someone visit you...I will be thinking of you!!!......stay strong!!!
love you,
lisa

[FireflyR7]

:) I have had 2 Angiograms & 2 surgeries done the same way. They are not that bad, but do hold risk. I am glad they found your Aneurysm before rupture! I had a rupture with no warning in June 05.
I have to disagree with these Dr.'s who take a too small, wait and see approach?? Mine was only 4mm after rupture!! I don't understand why they just don't fix it if they are going to go in to do a angio?? I had mine stented and coiled through the same process!! I would discuss this with the Dr! I don't know where yours is located, but if they already know it is there I don't know why they don't just fix it? It is your body and you have a right to know all the options and reasons why they want to do things the way they do? It is also your right to a 2nd opinion, this is your brain we are talking about.
My rupture went undiagnossed for almost 2 months, I went to the ER 3 times before they finally figured it out. I am VERY lucky to be here! I have a very long term recovery since I wasn't taken care of right away. By the time they figured it out, it was too late to get the pressure off my brain/get the blood out. My NS said it could take 2 years just for my brain to absorb the blood. He said that he can't believe that I survived the rupture or the brain swelling? I am very lucky! It took 4 - 5 Dr's to figure it out???
You are very lucky to have found it before it ruptured, I would learn as much as you can and ask the Dr's to explain everything to you, ask all the questions you want. If they don't want to take the time to explain, they are not the right Dr.!! My NS even gave us his home and cell phone numbers, he never once looked at his watch durring an appointment. He explained every detail to us and my family while my surgeries were going on!! That is the kind of Dr. you look for! Remember they are working for you!! They are making more money that we can fathom, if they are not pleasant, concerned and tells you everything, move on!! Find the best Vascular Surgeon in your area!!
My NS is so awesome!! I wish everyone could have him!!!! He saved my life twice!!! :)
Do research, look at useful sites at top of page! BAF has some good info., in Lehman's terms!! Good luch hun! I will keep youin my prayers! There is a lot of good support here!! Keep us posted! I will keep you in my prayers hun!! Tricia / FrieflyR7