2mm Aneurysm-dizziness a symptom?
 

Hi, first time posting-

So, I have had bouts of dizziness over the summer- very specific type of events probably 6-10 times in the past 3 months, boat rocking feeling lasts for only 2 minutes and goes away. I went to my ENT who ordered an MRA looking for Menier's disease, because I also have ringing ears, but I have little to no hearing loss which doesn't jibe with Meniers. I've also had small epsiodes where I feel really confused or my thoughts rush and I can't focus, but this could also be panic or anxiety from the dizziness. I don't always get the confused feeling with the dizzies.

They found a 2mm or less sized Aneurysm on my Carotid Artery- it's right behind my sinus he said.

My question is if anyone who has had an Aneurysm of the Carotid artery had anything like that. The doctor said it's a really small aneurysm less than 2mm, but the dizziness feels really consistant, and the regularity of it is what worries me, having never really had a dizzy spell prior to this summer.

I have my followup this Friday so I'll get more information then. I do not have headaches, eye pain, or anything else. I have experienced some body numbness, or a strange out of body type of feeling recently, but that was the first time I experienced that, so I don't know if that was related.

Secondarily- I was wondering if should go looking below the neck as I've read about aortic aneurysms...not sure if these things come in groups. Will the doctor most likely support that route? I felt like my initial conversation with my doctor he was trying to reassure me that we will keep an eye on it and everything would be okay...but I keep thinking what if it's not.

third- I work out a lot, it's an intense work out, should I stop doing that- I'd like a doctors opinion or a POV from someone who was really active, what advice did they get from their doctor?

I just spent the night lying awake writing my wife a letter to tell her what to do if I'm suddenly gone...I know it feels like an over reaction but I just want to be prepared so if something does go suddenly wrong I'm not trying to tell her mundane crap...I think it's the potential 'sudden' aspect I can't quite come to grips with.

I'm an otherwise healthy 43 year old man...who is deeply pondering his future, and possibly for the first time in my life truly frightened.

thank you,

John

Welcome to NeuroTalk...

I am not an expert on aneurysms, but I had a colleague at work, a woman 47 who had a stroke that was generated by a tear in one carotid artery. She was moving heavy furniture, and lifting stuff she shouldn't have been (helping settle her mother in assisted living), and the pressure damaged her one carotid artery. It showed up on MRA...

She was told to stop lifting or exerting herself. She did recover from the stroke, it was on the right side and she was briefly paralyzed. And with time the carotid did heal up. But I wonder if your doctors cautioned you about lifting weights or doing straining during your work outs?
I would be cautious about that.