First Visit

[shimmy]

I thought previously about joining onto one of these things months ago when my grandmother was still recoverying from her aneurysm surgery..
I never did it beforer she passed.

I decided to come here for a little support because even after losing my mother and my grandmother to aneurysms, my fiance recently lost his godmother to one.
Today we were informed that another aunt has one. She sits in surgery now.
I find it scary to know that in one year, three people I know have had an aneurysm. First I was scared for myself and the possibility that I could have one, and now i'm scared not only for my fiance, but for our children as well.

Does anyone else find themselves with *this* many family aneurysms? How do you deal with that? I find it completely frustrating...and the worst part? I cannot get check yet because I do not have health insurance. (I'm a college student who lives on her own, what do you expect?)

I just don't know what to do with think or do anymore...
:confused:

[Kimbo]

Wow! That is a lot of people in your family. My father had an aneurysm when he was 38. My uncle, his brother had one when he was 64. Both lived through them although my uncle had a stroke after his. I had my aneurysm 5 years ago when I was 39. Now they are questioning if that was what my grandfather died of, in his 60's. I know I was told to have my kids checked. My daughter was 17 when she was checked. They said they didn't know of anyone younger than 12 having one. She is okay but if she developes high blood pressure she is to be checked. One of my cousins was checked and he didn't have one, but my sister and my other cousin don't want to know.
I developed a headache, the worse one I ever had, and decided to go to the E.R. just because of the family history. They found it just as it was leaking.
I don't understand why my cousin and sister won't get checked. They have insurance. It's almost as if they want to John Wayne it and be tough. I'm not sure they realise just how serious it is. I was lucky. I have no muscle damage. Just depression, trouble concentrating and making decissions.
If you know about this situation just keep it in mind. You may never get one!!! Good luck.

[Lyn]

WOW:eek:

There does seem to be some kind of familial connection for you. I was the first (that I know of) in my family to have an annie, but I intend to have my kids checked out.

As you know, the recovery rate for these little monsters is very poor, so it would pay to be checked - think of it as an essential expense. If they were to find something you could have it fixed before it becomes a problem.

I had an annie clipped in 2004 - and the doctor told me that if I hadn't it was only a matter of time before my kids came home from school and found me dead on the floor.

Believe me, this test is worth saving for - and if they don't find anything at least you will be able to sleep at night.

Take care

Lyn :)

[FireflyR7]

:o I am so sorry to hear about your family history!! I can't believe that no doctors have told your family to get tested!! :confused: Mine did, and I am the first one to have one? It is a genetic disorder and seems to run along the womens side more than men. You should get tested hun!! My sisters daughter already did and my sis promised she would, but hasn't yet. Most of the time people are born with a thinning of the walls of the arteries. sometimes you can have one and never know or never have a bleed. I had a rupture last June, I have been told I am very lucky to still be here. I am 47 now, I was a firefighter everyday - 7 days a week - 24 hours a day, before I had this rupture. I am still in recovery and have a long way to go! I am getting there though!!!
You really should go get tested!!! It just takes a CT or MRI, doesn't hurt!! But an Aneurysm does!! A lot of people don't survive a rupture, so please see your Dr. and get tested just to be safe!! I don't mean to scare you, but this is a family thing and you should get checked!! There is a lot of info. out there, I have done a lot of research on this!! Better to be safe than sorry!! I had no warning!!!! I have a lot of info that I have printed out from doing research on line.
I will keep your family in my prayers!!! Tricia / FireflyR7 :cool:

[Nancy D]

After my Annie was found my brother had an MRI the next day. One Aunt and one Uncle of ours had Annies. He said it was the best money he spent. My sister-in-law had an MRI also, her mother died of an aortic annie 7 days before my surgery. Both are clear and tremendously relieved!

[mayansun]

You said you don't have health insurance, but depending on what state you are in there may be free care options? I know they have that in MA and you would apply through a given hospital--given your family history it might be worth checking out.

I thought students were required to have health insurance but I guess it is a state-by-state thing.

[Suzanne*Canada]

Hi there and welcome to the group... let me start by saying you so aren't alone with the family heredity! My family there are 6 confirmed on my Dad's side one on my Mom's side and several more that are suspected but not confirmed ( said they were strokes that caused their deaths).
SOOOOO you are in Mass.... well my friend the first thing you do is contact the BAF and tell then your history and see if they can help get you screened, you NEED to be tested my friend... I go every three years for an MRA .

If you want to chat drop me a private message by clicking on my name above, there are also a few other options that may help get you tested.. one being medicaid the other is the FIA study.

hugs and feel free to contact me anytime!
Suzanne

[Lisa Sobocinski]

I agree. You do need to get tested! I am a twin and when this happened to me she became very concerned. She went on Tuesday and she is waiting for the results. Since my 1.5 cm was found last month, I have found out that my uncle had one 20 yrs ago...he was 61yrs old and is now 89. Survival is high if no rupture. Please get checked out.
God Bless, Lisa

[cindybear]

So far, I am the only one besides my mothers sister (my aunt ). I have 6 brothers and sisters and only one has got tested, and she was fine, Thank god. The others, say, they rather not know...But then , I'm unusual, and inoperable and I think scared all of them...They don't want to turn out like me. Which I've tried to explain how unusual that I am..That most annies can be taken care of,,My aunts was a bubble..I'm a fusiform. (entire artery). Hugs , Cindy

[GeePer]

Suzanne*Canada also replied to you, she's a good friend of mine and has experiences similar to yours. She is also co owner of annie Angels on the web and knows more about aneurysms than most doctors. She will also have suggestions for you for help getting medical coverage. She also has been on a trip through **** with her relatives and is very familiar with your experience. Just ask her and she will help you..... seriously. I am a ruptured aneurysm survivor with a very rare experience with it and she's helped me. So post to her and she'll help you.

Glenn