Hi all,
I am happy to find this site as I feel like I need some help and support. I was diagnosed with an unruptured fusiform cerebral aneurysm about 1-1/2 weeks ago. I don't remember the exact size, I will get that from the Dr. in the follow up meeting next week, but she did say it was quite large. I understand from my research that size matters.

I am 62 years old and have had a pretty active lifestyle. I am devastated at the thought of leaving my husband, who was a widower already at 60 when we married.

While I understand that every case is different, I am wondering a lot about lifestyle issues - what medicine I should take for high blood pressure, how much caffeine and alcohol can I take, will I be able to continue my active life? Aerobic exercise? Yoga? Ski? Dive? Fly in airplanes?

I would especially appreciate hearing from some who have posted here years ago and found ways to go on with normal lives. I hope that is possible, I am distressed at the thought of being an invalid or getting obsessed with the possibility of a rupture.

I have read many of the threads so far, and my heart goes out to all who suffer or have a loved one suffering from this condition.

Hi Deb R
I am a 64 year old woman. I had endovascular repair of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm with coils and stent 2 1/2 years ago, and I too, was at that time 62 years old. I do not know, as you said the seize of your anwurysm at this time, so I do not know what the treatment action will be. I know that the guidlines for surgical intervention is if the seize is larger than 6 mm. ( I might be wrong) I had mine repaired by endovascular procedure by a interventional neurologist. d The choice between open craniotomy surgical procedure or endovascular procedure will depend on the seize and location of your aneurysm. You might have to see a neurosurgeon and a interventional neurologist. I wish you all the best luck and for a good outcome.

Due to the the fact, of course , that my aneurysm was unruptured, and in a workable location for endovascular repair, I had a good outcome, and recovered well. I was a very active Registered Nurse working full time on a very hectic and stressful environment. I had 2 or 3 weeks off from my job.

I was put on Aspirin and Plavix. From what I understand, patients are put on Aspirin and Plavix, and sometimes they stop the Plavix after 3, or 6 months, or after 1 year, and then just continue with Aspirin.

Unfortunately, 6 months after mine, when I was taken off Plavix, I had a small stroke, where a little cloth formed where the stent was. But I had no lasting weakness or effects from this.
When we tried again to come off the Plavix, I had a TIA. So now, I am staying on both. But Plavix only 3 times a week.
Usually, after this procedure, endovascular repair, they check the site again by doing a cerebral angiogram after 6 months an 1 year. You should be completely healed after 1 year.
I continued to work in my full time position I went on a big long vacation to Europe 2 months after my procedure. I was flying, went on a long rail road trip, hiked in the mountains and sailed in the fjords.

I had to finally retire from work due to illness, not particulary to the aneurysm but also other neuro and vascular problems.

If your aneurysm is similar to mine, and you have similar procedure, you should recover well. You asked regarding caffee and alcohol consumption, I think you have to use a lot of moderation in theese. I know smoking is a absolut no no. High bloodpressure can cause aneurysm.

I would like to hear what the outcome is , after you have your appointment, which probably has already happened. I realize now, that your post is a few weeks old.
Any how, I hope the best for you, and would like to hear the outcome of your surgery
Synnove