Family history, now about me
 

Hi all, just wanting some advice/experiences please

I am a almost 33 year old women with essential hypertension on medication since age 19.

My mother died at age 34 from a ruptured cerebral aneursym, she also had esssential hypertension.

Since then a my mother brother (my uncle) has had mutliple cerebral aneurysm clipped and recently died in his early 40's from a hemorrhage.

I last had a CT angiogram with dye done 4 years ago which was normal.

I have been expriencing in the last few weeks on/off a pain behind my right on. It is mostly every day or second day and only last for about 30 mins. I have also experienced 2 migraines in the past two weeks that I have never had before, one requiring a trip to the emergency department.

I am having another CT angio done in 6 days. Is it possible to have had the all clear 4 years ago and now there be something?

Could these symtptoms be indicative of concern?

Thanks so much

Sandy

Okay upon further thought I now remember that the scan 4 years ago was actually only an MRI but I did have a full angio with dye about 10 years ago that was normal. I remember arguing with them last time that I was suppossed to be the dye but they insisted that wasn't the request and I never followed up :(

Hi Sandy,

With your family history, you should see a neurologist. It's good you're on blood pressure meds but maybe they need adjusting too?

My sister died at age 37 from a brain aneurysm. Her blood pressure wasn't controlled well enough and she'd gone through terrible stress before she died which I believe led to her illness.

I used to get bad headaches that would sometimes last for weeks. I eventually developed high blood pressure as well so I take meds for it now.

I get MRI's frequently so I assume those would show an aneurysm? Not sure though.

Anyway, I'm glad you're taking steps to avoid the same problem as your Mom and brother. Check back in and let me know how it's going. :hug:

Hi Sandy,
You are doing the absolutely right thing having the CT angeo, I just had my yearly one done and I was told they have perfected this test and it is almost or as accurate as the traditional angeogram. If there is a problem, this test will pick it up. Sometimes the stress of thinking about all this and your strong family history of aneurysms could be bringing on these headaches. Good luck in 6 days and let us know how it turns out. I am truely sorry to hear of your Mom passing at such a young age and your uncle too, so sad.
Ruthie

Sandy,
Sorry you have had this history with your family...I don't know if this will help or hurt but, prior to my aneurism, I really didn't have severe headaches. My aneurism was sudden and devasting. There really wasn't any warning. My aneurism took place 08/2008 and my 34 yo (at the time) experienced his in 09/2007. He too had no warning and was at work at the time...no history of headache except occasional sinus headaches which was the case with me. He didn't have hypertension were as I did. We did have an aunt that died with her's in 2004. Both my nephew and I continue vigilant visits to our neurologist and have our scheduled angio's and scans. Will it happen to us again? Who knows but, we both try and take each day as it comes and not let it haunt us as much as possible by not sitting around waiting for another one to happen.

The evidence is there that this follows a family but, there is no way of knowing who will follow the trait....what you are doing is great and I would suggest that you keep tracting your brain and I would strongly suggest a visit to the neurologist.

Peace of body, mind and spirit