Hi everyone,
I had my angiogram and the surgeons say that my aneurysm is inoperable.
Actually the exact words were, " Sorry to tell you this but yer screwed"
That was really nice bedside manner, huh? Geesh. Anyway the aneurysm is an 8.5 x 6 on the top of the basilar artery. There are 5 arteries feeding into it. So I guess its what you call a fusiform? I dont know. They just said it's inoperableand hard to get to. I dont really know what to do and what not to do so it wont rupture. He just chuckled and said Dont be bunji jumping now..What a jerk. He was my second opinion. I'm so scared everyday. I also have hydrocephalus that cant be treated. They say I was born with it. I also had a stroke in the past that I knew nothing about. I'm just thankful to God every morning when I wake up. They said I could live to be 70 or die in my sleep tonight. Cant tell me anything else. Does anyone else have an aneurysm like this one and if so, Did you get it fixed? I have 2 Girls and a wonderful husband and I dont wanna leave them. I cry all the time, have headaches, and memory loss, and cant concentrate. Are these associated with the aneurysm? My headaches are sometimes unbearable but the doctors say aneurysms have no symptoms. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Cheri

Hi Cheri/peaches,

I just happened in here because I have an interest in aneurysms since my daughter had one--and I saw your post and was horrified at the way the doctor treated you.

I think he's in the wrong profession. Unfortunately he's done the damage and is probably going on to say more heartless things to other people.

Any doctor who tells you that aneurysms have no symptoms is wrong. SOME aneurysms have no symptoms and may never be found. Others may have a few symptoms or one or many. The symptoms you mention are often mentioned as aneurysm symptoms.

They keep coming up with new ways of fixing aneurysms. I hope you're staying in touch with some medical providers you trust. If you don't have any medical providers you trust, please try hard to find at least one good one.

In other words, since you've had a second opinion (probably a worthless one, IMO), go for a third opinion, maybe a fourth as well.

I was diagnosed with my 6mm aneurysm two days before Christmas in 2008. I was undergoing a routine MRI for aneurysms since my family is prone to them. I have PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) which can cause strokes and aneurysms.

I can honestly tell you that without a doubt you may experience some symptoms or none at all. Everyone's symptoms vary.

The symptoms of my unruptured aneurysm are fatigue (especially in the mid-late afternoon), headaches behind my right eye, occasional nausea, occasional loss of balance (especially when I'm tired), shaking (after sports which might not be a great thing but they told me it was okay to proceed as normal).

I have elected to not have surgery right now because the risks are the same. I find that the winter is worse than the spring and summer. I tend to go the entire summer with barely any symptoms other than occasional fatigue. Sunlight must help!

Ultimately you know when your body is not feeling well and when you're "off." I think you should get a 3rd opinion however or at the very least, choose a surgeon that will respect you.

Thank you! My symptoms are very similar to yours, including the winter bringing them on, this is the second winter I have felt off, with very frequent headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzyness and loss of balance, and shaking just before eating (as if low on sugar), but I also got told aneurysms had no symptoms.

Just this Friday a neurologist confirmed I have an aneurysm, but she was totally loathe to give me any details, such as where it is or its size, I hope to get them after the angiography, and will definitely be asking for another doctor!