I have had my Aneurysm treated
 

Hi all, I am from the UK, I had my unruptured brain Aneurysm diagnosed in June 2011, after having a bad dizzy turn at home at the end of March 2011, I hadn't felt well all day in work, the room was going around and I was getting really tired all the time especially towards the afternoon. Also for years I had been getting a pain in my right eye. The outcome was that I ended up in the A & E department of the local hospital with a suspected TIA commonly known in the UK as a Mini stroke, thank god though, it wasn't that, but the A & E doctor had the sense to refer me for a CT scan, which revealed a problem, after a further MRI scan ( I had to wait ages for the MRI scan on the NHS) and a Cerebral Angiography they found the Aneurysm, mine is a fairly wide necked "Dissecting" aneurysm approx 9mm , which is a bulge in the main part of the artery in the A1 segment of the right anterior cerebral artery, in a part of the brain known as "The Circle of Willis".
I was told to by the Neuro doctor to go away and think about whether I wanted to have treatment as that itself has it's own risks, I finally decided I couldn't live with this "time bomb" in my head, so had a Coil Embolisation done on 25 November 2011, I have been off work for nearly a year now, ( but it was not just because of my aneurysm, unfortunately,at the same time I also had a bad dose of sciatica from a previous vertebral disc injury). I am due back in work really soon, I do suffer some memory problems, and have to grasp for words sometime but that is slowly getting better. I just want to tell you that I am glad that I made the decision to have it done. The Coil Embolisation procedure wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, I had a full anaesthetic so didn't feel a thing, the worse bit was having to lie down in bed for 12 hours after, to let the cuts in my groin heal over, even those were just a little nick in the skin. I hope this helps someone in the same position to make a decision. But ultimately only you know if you can "live with it", I know I couldn't.

Hi daffodil,
I agree with you, I cant live with the "time bomb" either. Im looking forward to having treatment. Its been a llong road so far, things go wrong and other issues have cropped up but we are now moving forward and heres hoping that by the end of the year it will be all over with and I shall be able to return to my normal life as well.
Good luck to u, i hope all continues to go well.
Cass

Brain Aneurysm Treatment
 

Hi cass3765

I know just what you are feeling, only someone else that has been diagnosed with a Brain Aneurysm can understand the feeling, even though family, friends etc try to help, they still don't really know what it's like to have this "thing" in your head. I am going back to work next week on a "phased" return over 6 weeks as recommended by the Occupational Health Doctor (OH). I couldn't manage otherwise, I have made it clear to my boss in a meeting 2 weeks ago, that I don't want a load of work thrust at me on the first day, the OH doc also backed me up on this.

I wish you all the best for the future, I think you have to take each day one step at a time.

God bless and take care of yourself x:)

Good luck on ur return to work. Im surprised with a wide neck that they coiled, but its great that u didnt waste time and had it dealt with. I wish u all the very best for ur return and I hope that ur work buddies take it easy with u and give u all the room u need to adjust back to that life.
Mine is a narrow neck and there are three of them. I have been rushed to hospital twice since december '11 and have been told that my first visit was from a TIA and that the second was a case of migraine disease. They also tell me that the memory issues, the stutter that I left with and the lack of being able to go to busy shopping centres arent related to the annies. I beg to differ as I have never had these issues before with migraines. Suffice to say we are well on our way now to treatment, angio first then discuss options.
Keep in touch and let us know how ur first wekk back at work went.
Good luck, big hugs xo

Hi all,
Yesterday I had my angio. I cant say all went well cause nothing seems to come easy for me. My femoral artery went into spasm n collapsed so it was a fight of wills between surgeon n artery, suffice to say the surgeon won. I shed many tears while they fought. Thru it all i had a wonderful nurse who just kept wiping away the tears and assured me all was ok.

Once the surgeon was in i felt more at ease till the dye started.. i dealt with the warm sensation and the golden worms running across the eyeball, but not the eyeball about to explode feeling. I was glad when it was over. I was sposed to go home that evening but they ended keeping me for the night, that didnt go down well, but we managed.

My partner was to pick me up at 11am but 11.15am rolled around n he hadnt arrived so i hobbled to the nurses desk n asked to fone him, i left 2 very cranky messages. As i left the second one he turned up and it was like xmas for me. I guess he had never seen me sooo happy yet cranky at the same time n i hobbled my fastest out of there.

Today im resting n my partner has kept the fone messages and has laughed at how upset i was cause he knows hospitals are like a jail sentance for me and im always looking for the escape route. He has waited on me since being home and has been just wonderful.. even in my crankiest moments i love that man dearly.

My surgeons appointment is on the 28th, so I can let u all know the outcome then. What he did say tho was that I had some very good annies, they are very photogenic. Good on him, at least a part of me smiles for the camera. He asked the radiologist to size them and report on them for surgical intervention, not sure what that means but, Im glad that part of it is over now.

Sending u all big hugs n lots of love
Cass

Hi cass
 

Sorry that proceedure was so difficult. I thought it wasn't suppose to hurt?
I hope you recover soon. I run out of a hospital too, just as soon as I can move! So glad you have a supportive partner with you. ginnie

Hi Ginnie,
No it wasnt sposed to be difficult, but for some reason the arterery spasmed n collapsed as soon as he cut it. So it took 30mins to get the catheter in. In the mean time my thigh started to cramp n the nerves went into "shock" mode. I could feel it right thru my leg n to my foot. Once it was in I was ok. Im still limping a bit today but we think thats more because of the struggle we had. Another few days n all should be just about normal.
U look after urself too. How are u feeling these days, hope ur smiling some.
Big hugs hun
Cass

Hi Cass
 

Always we hope that proceedure can run smooth. It is hard enough to do them when all is going fine. I hope you are feeling better today. I hope you never have to experience that again. Get well, ginnie

Hi Cass

Sorry that you had a rough time with the angio - what is your next step? I guess you will know more on the 28th - I will be thinking of you. Please let us know.

Regards

Lyn

Hi cass
 

I am doing OK. This morning, hurting or not, I am going with a friend of mine to clean this little old ladies house. I am sick of not working to help myself. I am to stay off my feet, but the doctor doesn't want to do my surgery. There is not enough money to do the joint replacement, and the same thing is happening on the other foot. I don't think he wants to take care of the degenerative joint disease, I will seek another opinion, and maybe a more generous doctor next month. I will ask my pain doc for a referral to a guy my son wants me to see. My son is an OPT and has access to health information and what doctors are good. So we will see.
I do think about you. Don't hesitate to talk to SDFencer, as he has this same problem as you do. I am sorry you have to go through all that too. It seems in this site we all need to hang together, to help our hearts get through it. ginnie

Hi Ladies

Yes Lynn 2 days and counting. Im still a bit sore I have a little lump, n a tiny bit of inflamation but I understand that it will go away in time, never the less i will ask the surgeon on Wed.
Hi Ginne,
Im so sad that u too have to go thru this, I know how u feel when u say ur sick of not working to help urself. I feel the same way too. Heres hoping the Dr ur son wants u to see will be of more help and also show u a little more compassion. Seems as tho this other Dr wasnt trained well in bedside manner maybe, just guessing.
I dont really understand how ur health system works but I do hope that u get some help soon.
I chat with Darryl a bit. He is a lovely man and always puts a smile on my face with his little quips n jokes with his medical team.
Lots of big hugs to u all, Ill be back in a few days with all the surgeons news. Hoping it will be all good, fingers X'd.
Cass

Hi Cass,
Welcome to Neurotalk, I am a PCA survivor. My annie ruptured on January 18, 2011. I had a crainiotomy clipping. Thus far, no physical impairment in regards to loss of activity of limbs (stroke like injury) but, I've experience some other stuff (I think seizure like stuff) that has not been diagnosed. I say dont live in fear. Perhaps bring friends in and exercise in your home just as you would in a class. I still get headaches also, thankfully tylenol helps or a good nap. I just wanted to welcome you and wish you well and hope that you feel better soon. God bless, HUGS! This is a great forum and Im sure others will chime in and perhaps provide some good advice.

Hi cass
 

glad you are in touch with darryl too. I am working on getting help. The doctor who said I needed surgery, evidently doesn't want to do it. medicare doesn't pay him enough, thats really what is going on. In the mean time my pain doc doens't want to treat for this additional pain. Well I can't get the surgery if I don't have a surgeon, so I will ask for a referral to an orthopedic guy for another opinion. I didn't want to do joint replacement under a local as he said anyway. That doesn't set well, and would shoot my BP through the roof. Is he crazy? I had my tooth pulled and was put out...humph......
So we all go through these issues. I am sorry you have the annie problem like darryl. It does make me have a great deal of empathy for all of us on NT. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I am glad we have this site to give each other comfort. Take care cass. ginnie

Today I fee like the class clown... or the hospital clown. I had my app with the surgeon. Or should I say with the registrar handling my outpatients appointments. Just to drag things out my app was for 3pm. I wasnt seen till 6.15pm then I was told they screwed it up.
I was to see my surgeon at his private offices. 1. I cant afford his private office at a cost of $372 for first visit, hence going thru outpatients. 2 he no longer see his patients at outpatients. I now have to go on the long list, a few months as he is well booked up. so back to square 1 we go.
It just gets better and better. On days like today I could just neck myself n be done with it. But Im chicken n love my girls so its just a passing thought, dont panic. Mind u it has sunk me into the depths of depression, which just shits me to tears as I cant continue to live in limbo. A whole year will be wasted by the time all this comes around. What I assumed would be over by xmas, looks like only starting about then. I guess the only plus in that would be to be one of the first in the brand new hospital. wow (insert sarcastic frown). It opens Dec 2012.
Grrrr Arrrgh!

Hi Cass
 

This does not seem humane at all to do to you. It makes me angry too, and I am not even the patient. Can anyone intereven for you, or start writing letters to get you in sooner? Waiting like that could drive anyone to the horrible depression. That alone is a terrible thing. Cass I so much want you to get the help you need. Is there a patient advocasy group in your area? Can you go up the ladder so to speak to get into the situation you are actually recieving help? Maybe SDFencer can give you some ideas, he knows a lot, and has access to a great physician. Maybe going out of state, to where this doctor is, would be better than waiting just to start the whole process come Christmas. It can't hurt to ask him if he has any ideas for you. My best wishes and prayers are with you Cass. Don't allow the depression to beat you up. I am hear to listen to you anytime you need a friend. I battle depression too Cass, and my own situation isn't so hot either. Take care of yourself, and write to me anytime you care to. ginnie:hug::hug::hug:

Hi Cass

I am so very sorry that this is happening to you. I truly believe that in comparison to other countries we have a fantastic health system - but that doesn't help you in this situation.

Please know that I am thinking of you. Thinking back, I don't know if my neurosurgeon worked out of a public hospital. It's all crap - the public liability thing, and scheduled fees have screwed us over big time and lots of specialists won't work in public hospitals - especially if they deem this to be 'elective surgery'.

This sucks, and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs

Lyn

Hi all,
Its been a while since I have been here, I guess life is just getting me further down the drain. I have a new appointment to see my surgeon at his private practise, but we are financially screwed so I am going to have to cancel and wiat till the money is saved to see him. My disability support claim was rejected and I was told to come back in 2 years. My eldest daughter has moved out as she can no longer cope with my mood swings, the tablets Im on to keep the migraines away make me drowsy daily and I have been assessed as not being able to work for 12 months. I want to know what future ball they look into that tells them all will be fine in 12 months because Im damm sure nothing will have changed. My stutter will be there, my annies will be there, my inability to cope with life outside my home will be there, so what do they know that I dont? I hate our medical system, it makes the poor feel poorer and soo many are dying because we are pushed further down the bottom of their barrel for help. Life sux and really Im over it!
Im at logger heads every day with my relationship, my girls are suffering and I feel like life has finally stopped with no where to go.
Lynn I agree that compared to some countries our health system is good, but its not good enough. How can we be sent to hospital, given a Dr appointed by the hospital, put thru outpatients then told right at the end when u have exausted every cent u have that u now must pay for the last step to surgery? I didnt elect to have this issue... I didnt elect to have TIA's, I have worked my tail off and paid for medicare all my working life just to be shafted when I need a return on all those years I paid and never used the system. That is unfair and drives even the most cheeriest of people into the depths of depression and dispair! I dont know if I feel any better for ranting on here, but somethings got to give soon because I am at my wits end and ready to pack my daughter off to her fathers, send my partner off and find some cave I can curl up in n forget about life altogether.
Some days I wake up n wish my annies would just rupture so I can be dealt with, other days I wake up wanting the world to just fall into a black hole of nothingness. AAARRRGGGHHHH

Oh Cass
 

:eek :mad: I so understand you, I really do. I know about no insurance, and being shoved down the line when you are sick. I lost all two generations saved for, and now my home is going to go too. Can't even afford the insurance to drive. I had a career, money in the bank, a home and a life. all was removed, because I got sick. Being sick should not be a reason why, all is taken from us. This after 30 years of work I ask myself? That rage:ranting::hissyfit: I so understand. I was misdiagnosed, most likely because of mediare/medicaid and the doc. not wanting to do the MRI. so I suffered for 7 years. Right now, I am the same as you but with different medical issues. I lost family members too, got betrayed over a trust. sometimes I am so low, I can't climb out of the depression. Please keep coming back here as I do, seek us out as you have been doing. Keep expressing yourself, and if you can, pray. Get to a quiet place, alone, just with you and God, and try. find your center of calm. Rage just increases our levels of bad things in our heads as I have found out. Try to reach a place of calm just for yourself. I am here Cass to listen anytime you want. I come back here to NT and try to folllow those on the site who can lead by example and offer their strength to our suffering. I hang on for dear life sometimes. I am right now, as I face a biggie or two or three in my own life. You are not alone cass, don't give up, just come back here, and know you are not alone in suffering. I will keep you in my thoughts this day, as I face my own issues. You will be with me in my prayers. We both have alot of issues, and keep coming back here for help. I care. ginnie:hug::heartthrob:

Im home from the surgeons appointment. Im now on the wait list, he will be clipping the 7mm as its now considered high risk as there is what looks like another annir coming off the first annie. Im really quiet scared, he has assured me that if this one ruptures then it will be a major stroke if not worse. The wait time is a few months so heres hoping it comes around fast as Im not one for waiting as u all have read lol.
The second annie is being looked at next year as its in a precarious place also and we arent sure which way we can operate. It has almost no neck and is very close to a major artery. Time to make a list for hospital, make sure paperwork is ready for the "just in case" and fingers crossed for now.
Cass

Oh Cass
 

I know you are frightened. Please keep in touch with us on NT. We are all behind you. Don't hesitate to contact SDFencer. He has same issues, and is most kind. He lives with the same condition. I hope the time passes quickly so that you can get this fixed and go on to have a healthy life. You are in my prayers right this minute. ginnie:hug:

Good news today... my wait wont be as long as we first exected. I have been booked for 19 June. I am well nervous n scared, but I have a billion things to do leading up to the op now like buy new slippers n toothbrush lol.
As the day draws near Ill keep u all posted. Once I am able to get back here after the op Ill let u all know how it went. Thank god we finally have a date... my biggest bug bare in life is waiting. Now of course i decided to knit my youngest a jumper so Im now knitting as fast as I can so it will be ready before I go in.
Thank u all so much for allowing me to shed tears, be angry and hopefully made u all smile on the good days.
Look forward to chatting when Im clipped.
All my love n big hugs
Cass xoxo

Hi Cass
 

I won't forget you and the surgery you face. I am very glad to hear your wait is about over. All my best wishes and prayers go with you. None of this stuff is easy to deal with. You have done the very best you can in a lousy situation. Take care of yourself, have faith all will be well. ginnie:hug:

My word, its absolutely disgraceful the way you've been treated, btw, hope you are ok and it went well, new to this forum and read this story from start to finish...I think, after 8 years since my rupture and coiling, that no-one really understands what its like to have this time bomb in your head that you can feel but no-one else can. I don;t know what's worse, knowing you have one (or a few) unruptured or not knowing you have one and it suddenly rupturing. Even after treatment and no matter how many times an expert tells you its fixed and the chances of it happening again are nil to zero...you try believing that when you get that pain in your head or a dizzy spell, even years later...its unnerving and always there to remind you. I believe having gone through something like this that it is a real test of character and strength to get through the fear and depression and other physical issues related to post aneurysm surgery and trying to get on with your life the best you can with limitations plus the constant fear there is something in your head that could put your life in danger. Even though I am pretty much over it, I know I am not and never will be 100% the person I was before this happened and some days I still get angry this happened to me but most of the time I'm fine. Little things that other people may take for granted you cant do, tiring easily and annoying nerve pain in the head can get you down, but thats my point...test of character whether you let it get you down or not, or just accept it, feel glad you survived it and are alive to tell the tale and just get on with life the best you can.......good luck Cass and anyone else going through this x

Cass, I had a family friend who lived with aneurysms for 18 years, and he at the old age of 78 died from a heart attack, not the aneurysms. He had to be careful about stress and medications , but he did lead a fairly normal life, had a wife for 48 years, had kids and grandkids and seemed to be happy with his life. And your so lucky to be in Australia, if you were in the USA ,your health care would be so expensive you couldn't afford anything else, and your treatments would be limited by what the high priced insurance would allow. Australia's health care is great and some of the best in the world. I know as my ex wife is from Australia and her father had a long bout with cancer. Your system did more for him than anyone I knew in the US who had cancer ever had. Your in good hands thats for sure.. and you wont lose everything you worked for in the process either.

Hi all,
After losing my puppy, I feel heavily into the depression pit and found it hard to bring myself out. My partner decided to take me away for 8 glorious days on the beach in Far North Queensland. I spent last weekend booking a hotel and flights and spent the week organising our bags n food for the kids while we're away.
I did a last shop Thursday morning n was eagerly awaiting Friday to catch our flight out.
A quick insight into my "6th" sense. Many a time in my life I have woken from a sleep to the horrible feeling of dreed and doom and I cant shake it. With that feeling something will happen within 24 hrs. My partner always laughs it off and tells me to just "chill out". On Wednesday I woke with that feeling. I thought immediately about our holiday but decided this time not to say anything and put it down to being overly excited.
After my last shopping trip on Thursday I sat down and felt rather dizzy from all the rushing about. Our phone rang but I chose to ignore it. It went to voicemail. I heard a womans voice asking me to ring her urgently so I jumped up and picked up the phone. It was my wait list lady. I said to her "u better not be asking me in next week"... she paused and said I have good news for u, ur op is booked for Tuesday. I burst into tears as I was soooo looking forward to my holiday. My partner proceeded to cancel everything.
I now sit in wait for Tuesday, my bag is packed and my lappy loaded with movies as Im booked in a day before my op. I cant say Im eager to have this op, Im ***** scared and beyond nervous. I have talked with my youngest girl as I have decided I dont want her coming to hospital n seeing me all messy. She has been taught to cook several basic meals and will be keeping my side of the bed warm for my return. Mt eldest is moving back home on Sunday and my partner starts work ( a job he has been hoping for) on Monday. So its going to be a hectic few days but we are ready to go.
I look forward now to coming back here and letting u all know how textbook it was and that we are ready to start the whole process over again for the left side clipping.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful support, I really couldnt have gotten through this wait without it.
Heres hoping the chocolates will be overflowing and the pain is minimal.
See you all on the flipside!!!!

Hi Cass
 

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Everything will turn out OK. I know that nervous feeling too. Soon it will be over and you will be home being pampered with chocolates! I am also sorry to hear about your pet. They are family, and you had every right to grieve. Be at peace Cass, we will all be waiting to hear how you did. ginnie:hug:

Hi Ginnie,
Yes my puppy was 14 years young and my very best friend, we had gone thru so much together and no matter how hard it got he always snuggled with me n gave me thatwonderful love only a puppy could give.
I spent he last night of his life caring for him and no matter how much pain he was in all he wanted was to lay on my lap n snuggle. I spent 24hrs awake with the end result being that he had a stroke n couldnt be saved. It broke my heart as here i sit waiting for my brain to be fixed and I couldnt do anything about his.
I brought him home and buried him under the camilia trees and I sit and talk to him when I feel sad. He was my boy, protecter of my girls and the silliest puppy who "talked". The house is quiet, our other puppy is missing him n she has very little to say. My boy would dance n sing for his food, bark n bounce when we came home and complained when the fire wasnt on. When my partner cuddled me he would jump off the lounge and tell him to leave me alone, I was his girl n he wasnt sharing lol.
He is terribly missed but the memories are there along with a video or 2 which I watch when Im down. Heres to all the puppies of the world that fill our homes with that special love n care that us humans have yet to master.

Hi Cass
 

Anyone who has loved a pet like that, knows that grief. It is awful. I lost my Cat, who thought he was a dog. he was 21 years old, I had him longer than my own kids. Constant companion who traveled with me. Plane, boat, bus, train, motor cycle, Yep a motion loving animal. I think if I had jumped from a plane he would have gone with me. He sat on my art display as part of it for years, allowed in the showrooms. Memories of these family members do not fade, but become dearer as time moves on. It has been two years now, and I have another, who has greatly helped me with the grief. No one ever takes their place, and I do consider these pets as a gift. They have indeed mastered love, which humans have not figured out yet. Well some of us have!
I will be thinking of you cass, and your friend. He will be there with you during surgery as a special angel. We will be here for you too. I know it is hard to face your surgery, in spirit you are NOT alone. ginnie :hug:

i would love to chat.
 

I would like to know some of the places you find information. I apologize I'm still trying to figure this out?

Yay Im home.. had my op, feel crap, feel good, feel different. Stutter has gone, annie grew another 2mm in 4 months. Back to Dr's in 6 weeks for check up n plan for next annie op.

I dont want to go thru this op again but I guess if I have to then i will. I just want to be me again, normal, no pain, no strange, just me.

Hi SS
I just googled what I could. Got as much info from my surgeon n then started reading. There is lots of info in Dr medical websites, general info on The Brain Aneurysm foundation website.
I hope it helps u some. Also just start asking questions, no question is silly or small, every question is important.
Cass