How did you find your aneurysm?

[zigs87]

Hi guys,
Newbie here! I've been suffering from a range of head problems, from constant headaches to ghosting vision and tinnitus. I've had an MRI done with and without contrast and nothing seems to have shown up on this, although the doctor did say there was something they aren't sure about. I have been discharged though and not sent for anymore tests. My question is, how did you find your aneurysm? Would an MRI with contrast be enough to detect one?
Thanks in advance!
xx

[TropicalTrish]

Hi Zigs

Welcome to the best support site on the Net !!!

My 7mm was found by accident as I had a dye contrast CT scan for my Thyroid.

That was 6 months ago - naturally the thyroid issue got set aside in order to Coil & Stent my aneursym - and I just started back today to exploring the Thyroid challenge.

Yeeeessh....

I had no aneursym symptoms - except a throbbing headache with maximum physical exertion that subsided quickly when I stopped exerting myself.

I have this revelation after they discoverd the Ane not before. I didn't think much of it at the time. Silly me:p

After CT scan they did MRI/MRA scan then Dye contrast Angiogram.

All 3 scans showed different measurements. Since you have had the MRI - I don't know if doing a CT would be any better.

What are your Doctors saying for you to do?

I know it's frightning to think you might have an Aneurysm so keep exploring if only to eliminate that question in your mind!

All my best

[svalmor]

Hi Zigs,

Welcome to BrainTalk! :) First let me say that hopefully you DO NOT have anything wrong with you. However, for your piece of mind, do pursue speaking to your doctor and/or get another opinion. Perhaps a CTA can be ordered just to make sure everything is okay. Like I said, hopefully you are fine and nothing will be found.

Here's my story:

I developed tinnitus and went to get that checked with my ENT. Right off the back I told him that I had been taking Naproxen for approx. 8-9 mos. due to knee pain and a recent foot surgery. When he heard that he told me that I could have developed the tinnitus from the Naproxen, as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are toxic to the ears/hearing (funny how doctors prescribe things and don't tell you the downside of drugs!). He proceeded to check my ears and hearing but said everything looked fine. Just to be sure, he said he'd order an MRI/MRA to rule out something else (acoustic tumor) and/or annie. I had been reading quite a bit about the causes of tinnitus and found that some aneurysms do cause tinnitus....although when I mentioned this to my ENT, he said it was very unlikely I had an aneurysm (Hah!)

So...I went to get my MRI/MRA....2 days later I got a call from my PCP telling me that nothing was found. No tumors or strokes were found and they could see nothing that would cause my tinnitus. I then asked him if there was any sign of aneurysm and his response was kinda weird. He asked me why I had even mentioned "aneurysm" and whether I had aneurysms run in my family. To which I replied that I was not aware of anyone in my family with an annie. He then said that the radiologist had made mention of a fullness in a blood vessel and some abnormality in my vessels...something that I was probably born with and he didn't think I had anything to worry about. At that point I freaked out (internally...not out loud!! hee hee) so I asked him more questions and he then said he'd refer me to a neurologist. A few days later I went to see this new doctor and he checked my pictures and told me that he was sure I did not have an aneurysm, but because I did have some "abnormality" in the vessels, that he'd order a CTA just to be sure it wasn't anything else. He told me that a lot of people are born with these abnormal blood vessels and it's nothing to worry about. He then said that he could have 50 patients come in with questionable MRI/MRA results, and only 1 would have an actual aneurysm..... So, off I went to get my CTA. The following day he calls me to tell me that the CTA also came back unclear and that he'd consult with a neurosurgeon just to be sure. I got another call back the following day and was told that the NS wanted to see me.

I went to see NS who told me that YES....I did have an aneurysm and that I had two options. #1: Wait/See and retake CTA in 6 mos. OR #2: Have surgery to clip it.

My diagnosis with NS was 02/20/09. I will be clipped at the end of this month...so I've known about this for almost 3 months now. I've chosen to undergo surgery cuz I do not want to live my life worrying about it. As much as I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE SURGERY, I think it's the way to go. At least for me cuz I'm a worry wart!!

Oh! regarding my tinnitus....I think what was causing it was the Naproxen because when I stopped taking it, my tinnitus disappeared about 2 weeks later. So....if it hadn't been for the Naproxen/Tinnitus connection, I never would've found out about the annie!!

Very weird....

Sorry this is so long....I got kinda carried away......:D

Let us know what happens. You will find a lot of people on this site that are very supportive and can give you more info.

Regards,

Sandy

[Tunifer]

I went to my doctor in January of 09 because I had a strange headache. All the headaches I've ever had have been on the right side of my head. This one was on the left and had lasted for 2 weeks without letup. Also, it got worse any time I bent down, strained or sneezed. She sent me for and MRI/MRA and apparently those showed something that made her send me for a CT with contrast. After that, she called and had made me an appointment with a neurosurgeon who told me I havee a 3-4 mm aneurysm on my anterior connecting artery. At this point, I am just watching to see what happens. He told me it could have been there all my life. I will go back every 6 months have another CT and see him. If it doesn't grow, I won't do anything. If it does grow I'll have to do something about it - either coiling or clipping. I was told that in my case, coiling would be the better choice. If you are concerned, I would suggest that you ask your primary care physician for further testing.

[shygirl268]

Hi there Zigs and welcome to BrainTalk, congratulations on finding the most lovely community on the net...:D

My aneurysms were discovered after i awoke one morning with severe pain behind my right eye. So severe that I couldn't open it, i took myself off to A&E where they sent me to the emergency eye clinic. Lovely doctor looked in my eye, ummed and ahhed a bit and said that I had dry eye!!!!! gave me some cream and sent me home! To cut a long story very short over the next few weeks i made several trips back and forth to my GP, A&E, Eye consultant (even though i kept telling everyone it wasn't my eye that was problem but something behind my eye!) with various symptoms ranging from pounding headache, muscle weakness in my legs, severe tiredness, pain in my spine, dizziness.. etc... but NO ONE would do anything! So.... I paid to have an MRI scan done and drove for 2 hours to have it. The results were faxed to my GP the following day and they didn't contact me for 2 Weeks! This is all started in September 07 by now we are in November. Results showed 2 aneurysms on right side, one on the MCA trifurcation the other on the ICA. GP sent me to NS, had angio which revealed a further two smaller aneurysms on the left side.

The other side to this is... I was adopted as a baby and have never met my birth mother, but I did discover that she died at the age of 44 from a ruptured brain aneurysm. I have since discovered that her grandmother died also from a rupture. This obviously helped in my decision to have surgery... and here I am 5 weeks post clipping of two of them :D The other two are on watch....


Oh yes.... and my NS said the symptoms i was experiencing were nothing to do with the aneurysm, i would beg to differ!!! Although it was once suggested that one of them may have been leaking, but because i was scanned so late after the event no blood was visible.

My NS said that tiny aneurysms wont show up on MRI but will on an angiogram.....If I was you, i would insist on further tests....hindsight is a wonderful thing... i wish i had been more insistent! Lovely to meet you Zigs and keep posting.

Julie XX

[beach1_gal@yahoo.com]

Hi there,
Mine was found by mistake when they did a CAT scan with contrast (the dye) and they saw that I had a 6mm annie on my left interior carotid artery and another 3mm one on my R MCA with a really wide neck.

So the next step they did was an angiogram and then they noticed the sizes were larger than thought. I am really shortening this story, but they did most of the testing within a month and I went to another NS today, as it seems that they can't coil the 3mm one and I have to have a crainiotomy so I am waiting for a call back with the date. And then 3 weeks after that they are going in to the now 8mm carotid one and coiling that one.

One thing I did notice is that I do get headaches and I just stopped listening to my NS's telling me that they aren't related to the annies~bullpucky I didn't have these until the annies arrived. Some of the other symptoms I ignored or thought was due to medication was just sitting watching t.v. and the room would flip over on me I would get so dizzy and my daughter noticed that I wasn't keeping my balance anymore like I used to..and the biggest change was I was exhausted all the time and needed to sleep constantly.. I mean I had friends over and I would go sit on the couch and just fall asleep talk about embarrassing!!

So keep pushing the doctors even if it doesn't turn out to be an annie it's better to have the tests then find out the hard way! I live in California and the NS's said there are only two tests that they trust to find annies and that is a CAT scan with Contrast (the dye) or an angiogram. They said many times an MRI has missed smaller or deeper ones. So just keep pushing and I will keep praying that you get the answers you need and hopefully it isn't an annie but if so you have the best group of people here to walk you through it all.

Heck I am still getting advice as I prepare for my Crani..and of course this has to happen in the summer my favorite time of the year. Why couldn't it be in November where it's cold and rainy and you don't go out that much anyway. But I am going to find a way to wrap a turbin around my head to cover the staples and still go to the beach and lay in the sun!!! I think that might heal me better than laying in bed for 6 weeks. Now I just have to learn the bus routes since I wont be able to drive for a bit.

See there I go rambling. If you need any other information just pm me and I will help all I can.

Love and Prayers,
LaDawn

[ljt764]

Mine was found after a week-long bout of the worst vertigo I have ever had! I could not even walk across the room without holding on to the walls! My doc had actually been watching me for about 2 years for MS due to vision problems and numbness/tingling in my hands and feet...and boy, were we both shocked to find out what the real reason was!!

[svalmor]

Mine was found after a week-long bout of the worst vertigo I have ever had! I could not even walk across the room without holding on to the walls! My doc had actually been watching me for about 2 years for MS due to vision problems and numbness/tingling in my hands and feet...and boy, were we both shocked to find out what the real reason was!!

Hi Laura,

So those symptoms were from the aneurysm and not MS after all? Did I understand you correctly? If it is, that's a good thing....you're fixed up now, aren't you?

Sandy

[jess2002]

Hi there my two were found when one ruptured and I collapsed but they are both fixed now. Jess.***

[jsalava]

Hi Zigs,

Welcome, I'm fairly new here too but have quickly learned that this is a great group of people.

I was having a lot of headaches in the back of my head and neck for a couple years before they became more frequent and also had occasional vertigo and some ringing in my ears. I thought I had a pinched nerve. (I took lots of Advil.. try to stay away from too many Advil)
One day I was alone at work and got an excruciating headache in the back of my head. I was writhing on the floor for a half hour before it finally started to go away and I called my wife..(not a good idea.. call 911 first if you get a really bad headache!) Went the the doctor the next day and he ordered an MRA. That didn't show much but the doctors said they were concerned and ordered an MRA with dye. That confirmed one annie and a possible second. I then had an angiogram which clearly showed bilateral annies in my carotid.

Good luck, hope it's nothing!

Jeff

[Beachgirl]

Hi and welcome to BrainTalk!

10 years ago I became quite ill and began suffering from some neurological and cognitive issues. My doctor sent me for numerous tests including MRI's, CT's, nerve conduction tests (awful, nasty test) etc. They were concerned that I may have MS as my Dad has it or a brain tumour as my Grandmother died from one, but all the tests kept coming back inconclusive. This continued on and off over the years until November '07 I developed severe pain in my face. A Maxillofacial surgeon sent me for yet another MRI in late January '08, which is when they found my aneurysm. A few days later I was in seeing the NS who had my annie confirmed by CTA. Luckily, there has never been any signs on my scans of either a tumour or MS! :)

I underwent surgery last August for the neuralgia that I had developed in my face, and am happy to say that this has been fixed! Yay!!

I am currently being monitored for my left MCA 7.5mm aneurysm.

I pray that your CTA comes back clear!

Let us know what the results are.

Nat

[ljt764]

Hi Sandy-

Yup, that was all from the annie! No MS, thank Heavens, as my best friend has it and it is a horrible disease! I was coiled at Mass General in 2004, and have been holding my own since then. Due for another angiogram-yuck!- but fingers crossed!! I also had lost both an uncle and an aunt from ruptured annies in their 40's, so I am extremely lucky mine was found!

[jacoco]

Best of luck as you work through the "finding out what it is" part. I was really lucky, actually. I was at work when my face and hand went numb--like going to the dentist. When I got home that evening my DH asked me to go see my doc. She just happened to be on call at urgent care--I love her! She sent me to the ER and they did a CAT. It cam back clear, but I was still numb. She, being the great doc she is, sent me to a neurologist who I also now think the world of. He checked me out with no diagnosis, but ordered several tests to be done quickly. He caught the annie(using an MRangiogram) and immediately sent me to a NS. Then a second opinion, and Thursday I have it clipped. Interestingly enough, the annie is not what they think caused the numbness. It, however, is on hold until "Annie" is happy. After reading posts here, I won't be at all surprised if the clipping resolves the numbness for good.

From my experience, the perserverence of doctors (and me calling insurance co--who was also surprisingly helpful) made all of the difference. Good luck and warm wishes. PM me if you have other questions, though I"ll be kinda out of touch for a week or so...:)
jacoco

[zigs87]

Hi guys,
Can i first say thank you SO MUCH for all the responses, they're all really helpful! the ringing in my ears is definitley getting louder and more persistent, as well as the double vision etc. I've got an appointment with a neurologist on Friday and I was wondering what you would all recommend as the best course to take, i. e MRA or CTA? I've heard mixed reports about both, am I right in thinking a CTA is simply a CT scan with dye? Would this be cheaper? The neurologust is one I've seen before who more or less dismissed me but I'm not convinced, particularly after speakin to my doctor who told me that the contrast MRI I had done showed somethings that the radiologoists were unsure of, and basically said I might need more scans in the future without actually being willing to do anything about it. So yeah, basically I'm just wondering which line of testing to go with first? Thanks again for any responses, I really appreciate them! Hope everyone is doing ok
xx

[BarbM12]

Hi,
I'm also a newbie here. I had been to my neuro, whom I had been seeing for essential tremor, and discussed what I had always thought were sinus migraines (if there is such a thing). I told him I had pain behind my right eye always when it occurred and nothing really would take it away. I would just have to rest and hope it went away. He sent me for an updated MRI/MRA and I think at that time he suspected an aneurysm, but didn't let on. Anyhow, the MRI/MRA were okay (I guess), but there was an incidental finding of a 4 mm aneurysm on my right internal carotid artery. But you know, I'm not truly freaking out. I trust my doc. On Friday I went for a CT angiogram and am just awaiting the results (playing phone tag right now). I guess the CT angio helps to define small vessels, etc. So I would say if your physician is "done", I would pursue a second opinion with a neurologist and even a third - even if only for your peace of mind. Good luck and you'll find great support here.
Barb

[zigs87]

Ugh I'm so frustrated! Had my appt with the neuro today, and he basically dismissed me out of hand, saying I should see an eye specialist for my eyes and an ENT for my ears. This is despite the fact that I was told last week by my doctor that on my MRI with contrast were some things that the raidologists weren't sure about, but he couldn't authorise any further scanning! I outright asked the neuro for an MRA and he just said there was no need, I was like what's it to you you aren't paying for it! Eventually he agreed to obtain a copy of the MRI and have a look himself but it'll be a while until I hear back. The UK health system is soooo annoying! Sorry, rant over haha

[ljt764]

My cousin now is also fighting the health care system (in Ireland) trying to get her daughter care for a gastric/bowel issue....how difficult would it be for you to see another doctor? Universal Health care sounds great, until you start hearing the horror stories about it taking months to get an appointment, or not being allowed to see whoever you want to. I personally think that any doctor who doesn't take your concerns as seriously as you do should be replaced!

[svalmor]

Zigs, so now you're fighting universal healthcare system?? As if you didn't have enough to worry about!! I'm so sorry!!! I had no idea you're in the UK. Is it at all possible for you to speak to your GP and have him/her intercede for you? At the very least they should give you the MRA w/contrast.

My MRI / MRAs also came back as inconclusive. The radiologist "saw" something but couldn't diagnose it with exactitude. I was given a CTA and same thing..... from there I was sent to see a neurosurgeon. The doc that you just saw today, is he a neurologist or neurosurgeon?

Maybe you can make yourself a squeaky wheel .... not sure if that would help? I know I've heard discouraging stories from folks living in places with universal healthcare. In theory it's great, but in practice????

I lived in the UK (I'm American) for 1 1/2 years and at the time I thought the system was great. Then again I was healthy and didn't require much medically speaking. I also remember when my former mother-in-law required a hysterectomy, she had to wait ages!!! Those waiting lists are looooong!!!

Anyhow, see what you can do. Hopefully you can get some resolution quickly. I will be praying for you.

Take care!

Sandy

[mayansun]

Just adding to the chorus here. I found my annie as "incidental" after a MRI (without contrast dye). I had the MRI because I was having abnormal headaches, dizziness and tingling so I really thought I had MS.

Got a call hours after to say the radiologist saw something, wanted me to come back for MRI with contrast. Fast forward to a panicked visit to the ER and I had a CT with contrast (mostly because it was quicker - would have had to wait even longer for the MRI) and bingo - aneursym.

It was my impression that either an MRI or CT (with contrast to get circulatory detail) were equally able to pick up an annie - an angiogram being the gold standard.

[zigs87]

Hey svalmor, sorry whats a squeaky wheel?
I saw another neurogloist last week, he took the same attitude and told me I was worrying over nothing. I wasn't too impressed by him though, the idea that you could find an aneurysm before it ruptures and do something about it seemed completely unknown to him, and when i mentioned MRA he looked completely blank. I'm starting to think that doctors in the US are much more on the ball than here! Got an appointment with an eye specialist this week, so hopefully that will clear up the double vision situation. xx

[svalmor]

Hi Zigs!

I'm so sorry the docs you've been exposed to so far are so inept! You would think they'd at least listen to you and conduct other tests just to be sure that there isn't something to really worry about. I don't know what they're thinking!!!

Regarding my "squeaky wheel" comment....It is an American expression to mean "It is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil." or "...gets the grease." The adage conveys the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. (I copied the definition from Wikipedia as it was easier to explain that way. I'm also assuming it's American, but I could be wrong about it's origin. I just know we use it a lot around here).

So....you just need to make yourself heard.....don't stop without being satisfied that you are getting the right medical attention. After all, it is YOUR health. You have every right to be concerned about it!

Keep us updated on your progress. Hope things go well with your next doctor visit.

Take care!

Sandy

[TropicalTrish]

Good one Sandy!

I was looking forward how you were going to explain "Squeeky Wheel" to Zigs :)

Well done....I wonder what the equivalent saying in the UK is! ???

Zigs ~ so many people just put up with a "situation" and think there is nothing else they can do so they sit there and simmer like a boiling pot or they just become resigned to their situation ~ whereas a Squeeky Wheel starts over at the beginning and talks to everyone involved ~ thus resulting in bringing more needed attention to the situation and either a better understanding to you of said situation or a new result.

Being tenancious about a "problem" can get you somewhere anyhow! :p

.

[lal2llb]

Zigs:

No one knows our body better than ourselves. Sometimes you just have to push.

I'm a companion to a survivor of a ruptured annie but...I had what turns out to be a stroke in my eye. Initially they thought I had heart issues and every doctor had no answer. I made my own appointments with specialists and every one had no answer as to why I had a blind spot in my eye that didn't go away. Finally a neurologist came back that I had a stroke and it stopped in my eye. It took me months to get an answer but it was important to get an answer. I was afraid it could happen in my other eye.

When my husband was in the ICU they wanted to send him to rehab. He still had pressure in his brain and I asked if they had decided to operate and put in a shunt. They said they were still watching him. I asked if they could watch him at rehab. They held a meeting in the hallway, came back and told me they would keep him in the ICU longer. That weekend he had a blood clot and needed surgery. If I hadn't questioned them, he would have been in rehab where they were not prepared to handle a blood clot.

Just don't give up asking questions and pushing. The doctors would do the same things if they were in your shoes.

Hugs to you and strength in your fight,
Laurie

[cindybear]

Jan 3 2001, I woke up with the most extreme worse head pain in my life, face swollen or I should say my whole head was,,went to er..Got a CT done, they saw something in it , thought it was a tumour..said I needed to go to bigger hospital with a MRI, So off to hospital via lights, got mri, said it is a aneurysm,,and that I needed surgery fast..but first they need a angiogram..So we decided to go OHIO state University,,Nothing but the best for me..Anyway...Lights again,,family follow..Angiogram done..in OSU for 3 days..Extreme N/V,head ache ect...They let me go home on meds ect...Follow-up appointment with Surgeon ..That is when I found out it is inoperable..I do not stop..I send my films every where imaginable...spetzler from arizona, wouldn't touch me..said I would surely die...same with about 8 other NS..meanwhile, every 6 months I have this monster checked..in august of 2004,,notice growth...non-stop growth...Got to several NS..One said he would help me..but it would not be without chances..So we plan to put in stent and coils...only meds given was to make me less nervous..Had to be awake, just in case a stroke happened,,They needed to talk to me..They srart putting in the stent...Boom, stroke happened. Loss my speech and my whole right side..I couldn't say my name, when asked..So they used this very strong clot buster..and finished putting in the stent..BTW, The whole time the stent was being put in..It was the most excrusiating horrible pain, I ever felt in my life,,I was screaming, Crying,,for them to stop..The pain was just not describable..Finnally I just let them do what they had to do and I just blocked what I could..That surgery took 8 hours,,just 1 stent...and I allmost died..They said they could not ever take a chance for coils..That they allmost lost me with the stent..So Now 8 years pluss, Still have the pain and aneurysm...But For some unknown reason, it has not grown, since the stent placement..Even though blood still reaches the aneursym with every heart beat...I am totaled disabled from the pain..but I also have limitations ( I am suppose to follow)..But is sure hard to on a every day basis..I know my story is not the norm,,And I am so happy that is so..I would hate it so much, If there were alot of people with my outcome..I know of 2 others..Emmy my dear friend, has many,,And a dear friend in Washington State..Has the same kind as mine in the exact location..He is disabled too, and in awfull pain and struggling..I write my story, to let people know that aneurysms do hurt and do not let anyone ever make you feel like you are crazy because you complain about it..Like they made me feel the first 3 years of my aneurysm..It was awfull..Hugs , Cindy

[Beachgirl]

Hey Cindy,

What you have endured is incredible, and I admire your courage and strength. May I ask where your aneurysm is located?

It's good to see you posting on here again too! :)

Nat xx

[cindybear]

No problem beach girl,
It is located on the Left Middle Cerebral Artery M-2 section (middle location of the brain ) behind the left eye..It is at last measure 2 years ago.,Now we just check for flow of blood and stent is open..I have so many angiogram I think they are afraid my body might reject them,,If I continue to get them,,Anyway it was 1 cm by 8 mm..Not a little one by any means..But big enough to cause me horrible pain daily and I notice daily..It showed before it grew that when it was pulsating that it would hit my cranial nerve..My left optic nerve is severly damaged also..I have tinnitis in my left ear pluss double vision that really eats me up at times..I do have glasses for double vision, but I need new ones allready,,Expensive little buggers..Hugs,Cindy,,Oh BTW, It fusiform, not a berry, as it ballooned out like a cigar-the entire artery..On films it looks like a very round tumour..in the artery..looks like a quarter is stuck in there..cindy

[magpie]

Hi Zigs

Wow from reading all the replies it shows how strange the symptoms are. I was like everyone else, strange wierd and painful symptoms. The Doctors still say they were un-related to the annie. But strangly all are gone now..so I come to my own conclusions ;)
I was driving and suddenly had the worst occular migrane of my life. The road was like ribbons waving in the breeze. The sky was falling all around. Crazy stuff and I did not have the sense to pull over. I actually had no sense at all. Some how after 15 minutes driving like this I phoned my husband and could only say I was sick. Tried to get off road finally stopped (by then I had 3 cops and an EMT pull in with me :o) Still no sense, went home to bed (with help) That started my journey. Constant (never stopped!) migraines (never had them before-just occular ones) started loosing balance and half dropping off my feet LOL strange right. Seven months and many many tests later (including a no contract MRI) a doctor ordered an MRA. There was the little booger and the start of another. They were still saying symptoms were unrelated. Had clipping in December. Symptoms gone, headaches gone, falling gone. Its like they opened the pressure cooker and left the stream off.
So I guess we all have our own set of symptoms and many are "non-related" lol.
I agree with everyone, just for the safety of it all request a MRA or a CTA and let the contrast be the judge.

Take care and best of luck to you. I truly hope it is not an annie but better be sure than sorry.

[zigs87]

Hey everyone!
Wow cindy, that's horrendous I'm so sorry you've been through that. Thanks everyone else for your advice..and I would never have guessed that's what squeaky wheel was! I thought you literally meant make a wheel I was like what??!!?! Haha. Anyway today was the day I was sent for loads of eye examinations and to see an eye consultant... basically they couldn't find ANYTHING wrong with my eyes and just said learn to live with it. So I'm like well if it's not my eyes it must be my brain.. anyway my Dad's now on board and we're going to get ANOTHER opinion with a neurologist and basically demand an MRA...they just seem less aware of this scan in the UK but at least if I have that done I'll know one way or the other. Just so, so frustrating! xx

[magpie]

Cindy
Your post was not up when I was posting. WOW! OH My! what a horrible horrible story. I can not even imagine. I am really without words for what you went and are going through. God Bless you - if you could just get a little break from the pain............

[Beachgirl]

Zigs, good on you for not giving up until you get some answers! I hope you are able to have the MRA done soon and not have to wait too long for some answers. Let us know how it goes.

Cindy, thanks for replying. :)

I THOUGHT that that was the location of your aneurysm - I remember reading it in a post you made a year or so ago! This is the same location as mine - left MCA M2 section, on the trifurcation. My annie isn't as big as yours, it's 7.5mm with 5.5mm neck, and I get sporadic pain, but gosh, I don't experience anything like what you have to deal with on a daily basis! I truly hope and pray that there will one day be something that they can do for you. :)

[prophets]

whats the best method to characterize/diagnose an intracranial aneurysm - CTA or MRA?