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Tree

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About Tree

  • Birthday 06/08/1964

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    Portugal

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  1. Went to see a GP yesterday, he spoke very little English, but I handed him all the files and letters that I had in my possession so that he could see what was going on with me. He asked me, ''so why you here today and not in surgery?''. In broken Portuguese/Spanish, I managed to convey that I wanted to get in better health before surgery and to know if there was any underlying illness which caused the aneurysm in the first place, such as ASVD and that I wanted to know the condition of my lungs, heart, kidney's liver, thyroid etc. I explained that I had been a smoker for 35 years. He said that he had been a 4 pack a day smoker but had quit many years ago. I think he could relate to what I was going through because he proceeded to write referrals for every test in the book. I had a chest X-ray, Spirometry, EKG as well as full spectrum blood and urinalysis. I go next week to see the results. I had my little smoking ''relapse'' 3 days ago and am already feeling much better. I think I'll go for a walk today and fill my lungs with clean fresh air. The sun is out and it's a gorgeous day!
  2. Thanks for the comments and welcome. I am so happy to have found this site because it's important for me to know that I'm not unique and to hear about other's experiences. I think it's been about 3 weeks since I checked out of the hospital. My follow up is scheduled for mid November but I plan to go see the Neurologist as soon as possible because I want to have a full spectrum blood analysis in order to treat any underlying illness as well. My biggest challenge right now is not smoking. I've had a couple of slips and almost immediately felt the effects. I am completely and utterly addicted to cigarettes even though I know they will most certainly kill me. I am so fortunate that they discovered the aneurysm before a major rupture and that I didn't have worse side affects. I am fairly certain that I had a small bleed (even though the doctors could not be sure) but that it stopped because my blood coagulates very quickly. My symptoms after the thunderclap headache, were dull aches behind the eyes and neck with occasional shooting pains as well as burning sensation in the top of my head. My taste, vision and short term memory have also been slightly affected. The headaches had gradually subsided since I was released and I was feeling great. But then yesterday I found an unopened pack of cigarettes in my briefcase and after having a brief argument with myself, broke down and smoked a couple. The symptoms almost immediately returned. What kind of insanity is it, that would possess me to risk my life? Giving up alcohol, coffee, chocolate or eating any food at all is easier than quitting smoking. I have been using an e-cig but who knows what the long term affects of that are? Uggh, I'm crawling out of my skin and would really like to get my hands on the person who invented candy cigarettes.
  3. Thanks for the welcome and support. I asked if they could do a Lumbar Puncture but they told me that it has to be done within two weeks of the suspected SAH. And yes, I did quit smoking and drinking alcohol as well as caffeine (funny they didn't caution me that drinking coffee can double the risk of a SAH and were actually giving me two cups a day in the hospital). I count my blessings that the aneurysm was discovered before it ruptured. I know it must be difficult for anyone who has suffered from a SAH to relate to someone who refused surgery but I am convinced it was the right decision for me, at least for the time being.
  4. From what I understand, the most important thing is that they are able to view all of the arteries, even ones close to the bone. I was given a Contrast CT or Angiogram where Iodine was injected in my arm. The Neurosurgical team at UHC claim that they have computer software which allows them to view the results in 3D and to strip away the bone. They claim that this type of CT Angiogram is the Gold Standard. But according to an opinion that I got from the John's Hopkins affiliate in Turkey, Anadolu, a Cerebral Arteriography is called for. They claim that Cerebral Arteriography is the Gold Standard for diagnosis. Dr. Google cannot provide conclusive answers. I was told that I only had one aneurysm but I want to be absolutely certain before undergoing surgery. Unfortunately, I cannot travel to Turkey as it has always been on my bucket list. ☺
  5. Hello, I am a US citizen living abroad in Portugal. I am 50 years old and just found out that I have a 4mm aneurysm on the M1 bifurcation of my LMCA. About a month ago, I experienced a Thunderclap Headache and went to the Urgent Care. The attending physician ordered a CT which was performed immediately but didn't show any tumor or hemorrhage. Later that week I had an appointment with a Neurologist and after explaining that I had a similar experience over a year ago, she ordered an Angiography. due to scheduling problems at the clinic, I did not find out until several weeks later about my condition. Upon reviewing the results of the Angiography, the Neurologist referred me immediately to the local University Hospital where I was admitted and kept under observation for about 6 days. The Neurosurgeon told me that there is no way for them to know if I had a SAH. They gave me all the information that they felt I needed in order to take a decision regarding surgery. I was given the option to undergo Microsurgical Clipping. Due to my poor physical condition at the time (I am overweight and was a 2 pack a day smoker), I chose to wait and see if I could get in better physical condition prior to the surgery to reduce the risk of disability. I prayed long and hard about it and was convinced that it was the right decision. So now I am home and dealing with this fear that any ache or pain in my head could be an indication of an impending rupture. I have been home for a couple of weeks and have been eating right, taking vitamins and getting as much exercise as I can without getting my blood pressure up too high. But this morning, I started to feel some sharp twinges of pain in my left temple and frontal lobe. I am wondering if this pain is a definitive indication of an impending rupture. Any feedback is appreciated.
  6. What is the current (2014) gold standard for diagnosis of Cerebral Aneurysms? Is it CT Angiography or Cerebral Arteriography? What is the difference between them?
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