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Old 05-29-2010, 10:12 PM #1
brainfreeze brainfreeze is offline
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Shocked New here! Clipping aneurysm June 8. Would like to hear your experiences.

Hi all! New to this site and happy to have found it. I had a mild stroke about 5 years ago and an aneurysm was discovered during my MRA. My neurosurgeon has been monitoring it with angios and MRAs. Every time I go in for my results, he says it has not progressed to the size where they would operate. I went in two weeks ago, fully expecting to hear the same thing and we'll do another MRA in six months. Not quite! Although it's about the same size, 5 mm, there are two additional small ones, 2 mm, and he says we would need to do something as they're seeing more and more 4-5 mm annies rupturing.
So, scheduled and angiogram and asked us to make an appt. in his office the next day. Another surprise, instead of coiling, we need to clip because of the location. So they'll remove an inch or so diameter piece of my skull to get to the annie. I have total confidence in my surgeon and I know he has mountains of experience with this, nonetheless, I would love to hear from others that have had this type of sugery. How long were you in the hospital, were there any complications, how long before you were able to do most of your daily activities, and how long before you felt yourself again. I'm glad I'm having this done and wouldn't change my mind, but nonetheless, a bit worried and nervous. Thanks all!
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Old 05-31-2010, 07:32 AM #2
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Hi Brainfreeze

I don't post much anymore, I am now six years post clipping surgery for a 5 mm aneurysm and doing really well.

What is the location of your aneurysm? Mine was on the pericallosal artery and they also took a 'window' out of my skull just above my left eyebrow. My incision went from the top of one ear, across the top of my head to the top of my other ear. From memory, the scar was 10 inches long and I had nearly 50 staples. I was 34 at the time.

The surgery was fairly straightforward. The pain was not as bad as I thought it would be (although it hurt like a you-know-what when they took out the drain). I had three days in ICU and was in hospital for ten days on a general ward. I live five hours drive from the hospital, so I think they kept me in longer for that reason.

I did have some cognitive issues post surgery, and the doc told me not to try and rush back to work. I was lucky enough to take six months off, which was good for me because I also have MS and that complicated things a bit too

Everyone reacts differently to stuff like this, but here are some of the most common things you may/will experience:

Trouble word-finding
Short term memory issues
Headaches
Hair loss (usually a month or two after the operation)
Sleep problems
Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue (yes, lots of it)
Depression (usually around three months, consider that this is a huge thing mentally, physically and psychologically and when someone starts fooling around with the brain it can disrupt all sorts of chemistry)
Difficulty coping with sensory stimulation - light sound and movement

BUT...

And this is the most important thing - you are dealing with this nasty little thing on your terms - getting it before it gets you. I am not saying it will be a picnic, but you won't have this ticking time bomb in your head anymore, and you will recover. The brain heals very slowly, and it can be anywhere up to 12 months before you feel 100% again, but the first six months are the worst and recovery speeds up over time. I have heard of people that have returned to work after six weeks, but if you do, try and take things slowly.

I hope this hasn't scared you....you don't know what you can cope with until you have to and the safety and success rate of the operation are very good.

If anyone has anything to add to this it would be great to get other people's experiences too.

Good luck and keep us posted

Cheers

Lyn
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Old 06-01-2010, 09:36 AM #3
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Hi Lynn! Thanks for all the info. My aneurysm is on the right cerebral artery. They will only have to cut about a 1/2 dollar size circle out of the right side of my skull. When you hear the word craniotomy, your experience is what you picture. 10 inches? Ouch.

I have undiagnosed MS. All the symptoms, but not enough evidence to diagnose. I was going to have the lumbar puncture, but I think I'll opt for brain surgery instead! Actually, I was going to go to an MS specialist for a second opinion, but I will put that on hold for awhile.

I AM ready for this surgery, nervous naturally, but I will actually be relieved to have it done. I think most of my worry lies in afterwards. With the MS, i already have such fatigue, dizziness, cognitive issues, a horrible memory, and on and on as I'm sure you know. I've slowly come to the realization lately that I just can't do it all anymore, and more so after the surgery.

Fatigue, fatigue, fatigue is what I'm most afraid of. Spending the next week before surgery trying to get as organized as possible, so that maybe, just maybe, things won't fall apart too badly. My husband is great, and I know he and my teenagers will pitch in, but, being a woman, nothing is ever done as well as we would have it.

Maybe it's time for me to change?

Thanks so much for all your info. You read all about it, and talk to your doctor about it, but sometimes, the best info comes from people that have actually been there. As far as pain, nothing's worse than labor, so I think I'll be okay with that.

I'll post after all is over and i'm starting to recover.
Thanks Lynn!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn View Post
Hi Brainfreeze

I don't post much anymore, I am now six years post clipping surgery for a 5 mm aneurysm and doing really well.

What is the location of your aneurysm? Mine was on the pericallosal artery and they also took a 'window' out of my skull just above my left eyebrow. My incision went from the top of one ear, across the top of my head to the top of my other ear. From memory, the scar was 10 inches long and I had nearly 50 staples. I was 34 at the time.

The surgery was fairly straightforward. The pain was not as bad as I thought it would be (although it hurt like a you-know-what when they took out the drain). I had three days in ICU and was in hospital for ten days on a general ward. I live five hours drive from the hospital, so I think they kept me in longer for that reason.

I did have some cognitive issues post surgery, and the doc told me not to try and rush back to work. I was lucky enough to take six months off, which was good for me because I also have MS and that complicated things a bit too

Everyone reacts differently to stuff like this, but here are some of the most common things you may/will experience:

Trouble word-finding
Short term memory issues
Headaches
Hair loss (usually a month or two after the operation)
Sleep problems
Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue (yes, lots of it)
Depression (usually around three months, consider that this is a huge thing mentally, physically and psychologically and when someone starts fooling around with the brain it can disrupt all sorts of chemistry)
Difficulty coping with sensory stimulation - light sound and movement

BUT...

And this is the most important thing - you are dealing with this nasty little thing on your terms - getting it before it gets you. I am not saying it will be a picnic, but you won't have this ticking time bomb in your head anymore, and you will recover. The brain heals very slowly, and it can be anywhere up to 12 months before you feel 100% again, but the first six months are the worst and recovery speeds up over time. I have heard of people that have returned to work after six weeks, but if you do, try and take things slowly.

I hope this hasn't scared you....you don't know what you can cope with until you have to and the safety and success rate of the operation are very good.

If anyone has anything to add to this it would be great to get other people's experiences too.

Good luck and keep us posted

Cheers

Lyn
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Old 06-02-2010, 02:05 AM #4
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Hi again

Good luck, you will be fine, and as for afterwards, take it slowly and just be as prepared as you can - do the housework thoroughly first (good way to burn off nervous energy in the days leading up to your surgery), cook some meals and keep them in the freezer....and remember, apart from the esentials the housework can wait until you feel good enough to do it.

Please come back if you have any more questions, and let us know how you get on.

One more thing, I had cognitive troubles after surgery and I found doing simple crosswords and find-a-words and so on really useful.

Sending you good thoughts

Lyn
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Old 06-03-2010, 03:15 AM #5
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Hi Brainfreeze,

Lyn has given some great advise! I also wanted to wish you well for your surgery next Tuesday. I will keep you in my thoughts and send some positive energy.

Nat xx
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Old 06-04-2010, 07:49 AM #6
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Default Thanks!

Thanks for the encouragement. Other than major anxiety, I'm doing okay. Actually, I just want to get it DONE NOW!! I'll post how everything went when I'm able to. Thanks again.

Patti
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Old 06-15-2010, 11:19 AM #7
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Default Update on Clipping. Surgery is Over!

Hi all, just wanted to let everyone know how everything went. It was, quite honestly, not as bad as I thought it would be. I won't pretend it was easy, cause it wasn't. Surgery went very well. Head pain was at the top of the scale the first day but is slowly getting better, although yesterday, I had a really bad day and was prepared to call the doctor's if I wasn't feeling at all better today. I am having head pain, but very tolerable. I have been extremely weak though and am anxious to start feeling just a big stronger. I've never been very good at having to lay low so this is tough for me.

I think you truly just have to listen to your body and don't do anything you shouldn't. Hope to feel better in a couple weeks, at least to the point where I can read and do some of the other things I enjoy.

thanks for your concern and info! I think I'll survive.

Patti
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Old 06-16-2010, 03:11 PM #8
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Best of luck to you on your surgery. I have had stents and then clipping of aneurysms done on my basilar artery. I just had my 3 year follow up angiogram. I am just about to participate in the US Summer National fencing tournament.

I have pretty much Brainfreezes side effects. I am still a lawyer and play with my grandchildren. I am only 55, don't go there. (twin 3 year olds)

Make sure you do your therapy.
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I've had brain surgery, what's your excuse?
2 brain sugeries (aneurysms) 5 strokes and 5 seizures in the last 10 years.
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Old 06-17-2010, 06:26 AM #9
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Hi Patti

I am so pleased that everything went well for you. This is what I meant when I said fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. You are absolutely right, listen to your body and your brain. Just take it easy. The repercussions of pushing too hard are not worth the fatigue, headache, brainfog and discomfort. Your body will soon let you know when enough is enough.

I went from 100 to 0 mph very rapidly if I tried to push myself. Just be kind to yoruself and take it one day at a time. Are you sleeping OK? Even all these years later I have trouble trying to 'turn my brain off' at night.

I hope your recovery is very smooth. Keep us updated.

Cheers

Lyn
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