Brain Aneurysm/ Can someone please help me

[Bonniesue]

Can someone please help me? My aunt was diagnosed with a Brain Aneurysm after she had 2 MRI's done. Her doctor ordered her out to Ruby Memorial Hospital for surgery. They sent her home telling her to come back on Monday. This was on a Tuesday on Wednesday her doctor called and demanded she return that he had called them and they were going to do the surgery. We took her back out a 2 hour drive. They ran a bunch of test and tried to do a spinal tap twice and failed. It is now Friday and they are sending her home till Monday she is to o back for an evaluation they said it is not bleeding nor has it ruptured. Is this normal should we find a new hospital? Please someone help me understand.

[pb1233]

I was originally diagnosed by MRI with an unruptured aneurysm. A few weeks later, I had an angiogram to get a better look. A few more weeks later I had it stented and coiled.
Unless they have reason to believe it is in iminent danger of rupturing or it actually has ruptured, there are a number of steps to go through before treatment. It usually involves discussing it with the interventionalist who does the angiogram, then a neurosurgeon if necessary. Between them, they decide the best course of treatment. The options are the less invasive coiling, which is done through the groin artery up to the affected artery in the brain and they wind platinum coils into the aneurysm to block if off so it does not rupture. If there is a medical reason usually the shape and/or location of the aneurysm, they might have the neurosurgeon open up the skull and go in and place a clip on the aneurysm to prevent it from bleeding, which is the second treatment option. Sometimes they decide to do nothing at the moment, but to watch it for growth or changes that would necessitate treatment.
I'm not sure why they did a spinal unless there was a rupture. Did she have symptoms of a rupture?

[jess2002]

Hi there sorry your aunt has an aneurysm. I had an unruptured one in my head aswell as the one that went they left the second one for three months before operating so I would try not to worry to much they know it is there. Jess

[TropicalTrish]

Hi Bonnie Sue,

I am sorry to hear about your Aunt – but she is LUCKYthey found this!

ASK ASK ASK questions of her doctors every step of the way - they will answer.

They discovered an unruptered one in my head (basilar tip) by accident in my case - mid September 2008.

First I saw a brain surgeon who said Nope too dangerous a location to operate.
Thank you Lord. (Recovery is WAY longer than the coiling)

My Doctor said there is NO reason you can't go back to work one week later after coiling an that's even too long :)

The Brain surgeon sent me to a Neurosurgeon/Radiologist who said it was perfect location for a platinum coiling procedure - they go thru the groin artery up to the brain. In my case they used both arteries.

My Neurosurgeon is young - on the ball - laughs and his eye hand co-ordination is great - I made him prove it to me :)

The Brain Surgeon was dour and he would not crack a smile.

First they have you in for the dye angiogram - thru the groin up to the brain with a narrow plastic catheter and release the dye so the Dr can see what is going on as he tracks the dye and figures out the best thing to do. You are awake for this but on “Happy Juice” as I call it and it’s like WOW ~ you don’t care about a thing ~ in fact I found it fascinating and the Nurses all deserve raises!!! They were that good !

Your aunt would then lie on her back for 5 hours while the pressure bandage the artery entry. You are on "Happy Juice" and awake during this 1 hour procedure and there is NO pain. Except if you have a sore back - man that 5 hours on my back were tough!


This is a day procedure so you get to go home. Sore and bruised at the groin but no big deal.

One week later (Nov 4th/08) I was back in the same operating room - but this time knocked out as it was a 3.5 hour procedure - then into ICU for overnight observation. Gee ~ was that only 10 days ago!? 

Again - no pain but the usual IV areas and again my nurses was awesome - God bless every nurse in the world.

They may put her on 1 Plavix and Aspirin per day so her blood thins out before the procedure (5 days) and keep her on it – like myself for 3 months.

I am asking others on this site about the dangers of that Plavix/Aspirin right now as I think there are things to be careful of.

Coiling is a new procedure – started in the 1990’s – it’s amazing!!!


Anyhow – keep your chin up – your aunt calm – YOU calmer - and it should be a fairly easy situation to get thru.

My gallbladder operation was 99.9% worse than this.

Good thoughts sent yours and your Aunts way from:

Trish

[stussy7236]

Hi! I am new to this site. I was recently diagnosed with a cerebellar aneurysm that was found accidentally in early September 2008, in the very emergency room that I work in. I'm having a lot of difficulty accepting all of this and I am pretty scared all of the time.

Trish - the way you have just explained all of this was so amazing. You sound and seem to be so ok with this, how do you do it?

[jenny41]

Hello,
I have a story but I think you will find it quite rare compare to some of the other stories that I've been reading.
My story begines in September 3rd 2003. I had my first clipping (one clip) But unfortunatley I had a stroke during surgery. I was in re hab, learning to walk, talk, speak, everything all over again. It was hard. I have two young girls, and I am a sinlge parent. It was hard for my children and my whole family. But we soldiered on. In 2004 I was told the surgery did not work on my annie. It was back. I decided then, to get several second opinions. And setteled on a new doctor. He put six clips on my annie (9mm by 12mm) And no stroke. I was happy, life went on. Since then, I had been having MRI's. Nothing came up, everything looked fine. On January 12th this year, I had an angiogram to make sure everything was okay. I have since been informed my annie is back. I have been told I can monitor my blood pressure and leave it alone. But my doctor is leaning towards re do surgery and possible bypass. To say I am scared is an understatment. I have not come to a decision yet. I am to meet my doctor end of Feb.
Has anyone been in a similar position as myself?
PLEASE TALK TO ME!
Jenny.