Awaiting follow up angiogram

[nicd]

My name is Nicky and I am 36 years old. I suffered an SAH in April and doctors discovered 2 aneurysms on my brain stem. Clipping surgery was too risky and had coiling done. I recovered amazingly well just occasional headaches, short term memory loss and concentration problems

I am now awaiting an angiogram in December and believe it or not am terrified of this procedure. after all I've been through this scares me. I don't remember the other ones I had as I was in a coma at the time. These sites have been very helpful and good to gain some knowledge on my problem.

Thanks for this helpful site, it's nice to know I'm not alone!!!!!!!!!

Take care Nic

[annie2105]

They are a piece of cake compared to a rupture! Seriously I was SO nervous but they give you some sort of medicine to relax you and I didn't remember a thing. Your groin will hurt for a few days so be ready to sit still and relax. Be very careful when putting your pants back on after the procedure. Let someone pull them up for you so you don't bleed again or it will be another 3 hours of sitting! I am such a medical baby and now I don't worry about them at all. I have had at least 3 post rupture (my case was very complicated). When they inject the dye it is a little uncomfortable but it goes away quickly. Just relax and it will be over before you know it! Let us know how it goes! I'll be thinking of you!
Blessings:)

[hattyuk]

Hi Nicky, I am 47 and had a clipping on a ruptured annie last September, then went for an angoigram in April, I was really scared too, but it was fine, you have to lie flat and not move for 4 hours afterwards so make sure you have a pee immediatly before!! About an hour after it they bought me my lunch which I had great difficulty eating lying down. the time went quickly. The doctors explained exactly it would be like and it was strange at times but dont worry about it.
Take care Hattie x:)

[kpc1051]

Nick, I am 47 had an aneurysm in Aug 2005. My first angiogram, that I was aware of, was in Dec 2005. I was terrified! It was a breeze! I am going for another in a week and I am not the least bit uncomfortable! Please don't worry you will do just fine--Take care kpc1051

[Diane118]

Nic,

Since the diagnosis of my annie in June 2001, I have had numerous angiograms to diagnose, attempt to coil, monitor for several years, then finally coil in January 2005 and then re-coil in January 2006. A month ago I just had my 6-month angio to follow-up on my re-coiling. No matter how many times I've been through it, I still get very nervous when I get on the table, despite the fact that I've never had any problems. One of my doctors gave me some medicine to calm me during the procedure, but the last two doctors do not. As Annie2105 said, when they inject the dye, it feels a bit uncomfortable (more wierd than painful), and of course there is the 4 hours recuperating in the hospital with your leg straight, which is not fun. Of course, the pre-procedure shaving in the groin area always starts the procedure off and since I'm incredibly ticklish, is not really fun. They have a tv in my recovery area, but this time I brought a simple knitting project which was productive and made the time pase quickly.

I'm sure yours will go smoothly. Think relaxing thoughts!

Diane

[aussie13]

Hi my name is Linda and i think they call me the angiogram expert:eek: as
in 14 months i've had 9 or 10 angio's. Yes part of the angiogram that gets very borin is the 4 hours you have to lay on your back, my advice is to take along a good book to read this will help the time go quickly.
My thoughts and love will be with you through this time.

[nicd]

Thanks everybody for your words of comfort. I had never talked to anybody who had an angiogram before. It certainly helps reading these replies. I know I'll still be nervous but I will keep your replies in my head and try and be calm. I will keep you posted how I make out.

Thanks Nic

[joannef]

Hi Nic,
You've already gotten lots of good advice here, but I would just like to add: don't pick up your head during your 4-hr recovery period. And we're all serious when we say, you can't move your leg. They might start the 4-hr count all over again if you do. Some hospitals put a weight on your leg to remind you.

During the procedure itself, when they inject the dye, your head will feel warm or possibly even hot and you may see flashes like fireworks. It's brief, so you'll be ok. At times you'll have to hold your breath, but usually it's not for long.

After you get home, be sure to drink lots of water to flush that radioactive dye out of your system. And take it easy for a day or two.

You'll be fine. I agree with Lisa that an angio is nothing compared to a rupture.

(And hey Linda/Aussie 13, hellooooo, how have you been? I see you're a brain talk nerdette! Cool!)

Hugs,
Joanne

[nicd]

Again Thanks to all for their advice. I think what freaked me out was the letter saying a possible side effect (small risk) could be a stroke. That scared me. Did anyone have hair loss from the dye they inject into you. While I was in hospital I apparently had several angiograms and when I came home I suffered hair loss at the back of the head where my aneurysms are. Just wondering????????

Anyway thanks for all the advice
Nic:D

[annie2105]

I had weird hair loss like you after my hospital visit but nothing after my angiograms. I have had 3 or 4 since my rupture (i had a very complicated case!) but no hair loss! Blessings...let us know the results when you can!Also, remind us like the day before you go in so we can pray for you!
Lisa

[kpc1051]

I have not had hair loss specifically around the angiograms but definitely since the aneurysm!! I just chock that up with all the other changes.

[bykerchik]

hi, i'm 54 who had 2 ruptured brain annie's. The surgeon said that he put glue in the 2 annie & 1 cluster which I had & that I am to have another checkup Feb. 07.Where they up thru the groin again.
My annie's was June 25, 06. I was in rehab hosp. for 8 weeks then sent home with a wheel chair &walker. In Sept. I had an appt. with the brain surgeon & not very impressed. I was taken from my house by ambulace to a hosp. near us, and my fiancee requested that I be flown to Pgh. I was taken to presby. in Oakland, Pa.
I never did use the wheel chair sent it back. I have used the walker, I am doing without it most of the time {from the rehab. hosp}. But my legs I can see my veins when I'm cold. They don't pertude out of my skin, there is blue lines all over my legs but when they are not cold they look normal {& I don't have vaircose veins.} But there is a constant numbess up the outerleftside of my body. The vein thing & the swelling of my feet{only feet} only have been going on since sept of this year--3 months after the ruptures & the operations. The rehab doctor said it is from the strokes but I don't believe
her that is 3 months since they operated & I would of had it in the rehab hosp.
I live sw of Pgh.Pa {about 35 minutes}

[FireflyR7]

;) I know you are scared! I had a rupture in June 05. I had 2 angiograms & 2 surgeries through my groin artery. It is not that bad and every test there is has a risk!! I was a smoker fo over 30 years and was a high risk for throwing a clot and I didn't. I am 47 now, woman. I was a firefighter until the day this happened! I miss my old life, but I am just glad to be here to have one!! The worst is over hun! You need to get it checked out! I just had one in April and am due another one now, I am waiting until after the holidays though. It is your body and decision, but you should have at least one to check it out!! You can take Xanax the days before & morning of the test, I did all 4 times or I might have ran away :p I know it is scary and you have already been through a lot, but we are all survivors and that is what is important! Talk to your Dr's about your fears!!! I did, I drove my NS nuts! But he answered every question and gave us his home and cell #, he was very caring and explained everyting in detail! You need to find something that you enjoy doing, makes you feel good about yourself! I write poetry & songs, listen to music... I will keep you in my prayers hun, take care and try not to worry too much! You need rest and sleep, not stress!! Most of us are on anti-depressants, don't be afraid to ask for some & Xanax for panic attacks!! All normal too, don't feel alone!! I was not an average case, a lot of complications because I wan't diagnosed right away. I still have a lot of deficits also, and a long recovery ahead. Feel free to write me any time if you want to talk more!! Firefly7225@aol.com / Or, I am on Brainpeople support group a lot. Thank God we have so many wonderful people to confide in who understand!! :) There is a lot of good support out there! Take care, love Tricia