Hi my name is Sam

[saml]

I have just been diagnosed with a 2mm anuersym. My Mum has had two SAH and more recently two Anuerysms coiled so I guess it runs in the family. Nevertheless it has come as a shock. The Doctor said that I am a very low risk, but my concern is how long has the Annie been there, who knows maybe 20years or has it appeared recently and is growing??. I am so confused and upset. I have four young children who I cannot stop thinking of (they need their Mum). The next step I guess is for a Neurosurgeon to check over my MRI and to see what action if any they will take. I was told it was on the left hand side of my head, however, the Registrar today said it is in my neck so I am totally confused. Any advice on what questions I should ask would be helpful and should I be so worried.

thanks Sam x

[Winb143]

I had anni coiled ....in 2009...Keep your chin up and I'll keep my 2 up ..my way of coping is to joke about serious things ...

I had a larger anni..and I am still here ...Cannot tell you not to worry...but see Doc and have scan.....and Good luck

and Welcome to BTG....make a list about worries and give it to Doc

All the Best

WinB143 xx

Edited August 2, 2012 by Winb143

[kempse]

Hi Sam and welcome to BTG.

I think it is only natural to feel confused, upset and worried to be told you have an aneurysm, probably not helped by the fact that you have had two contradicting locations of it. I presume the hospital would send your GP a letter in due course with the details, so you could check with him/her, or contact the hospital direct to get clarification. It is my understanding that a 2mm aneursym is quite small in comparison to some and if I were you I'd take the doctors word that you are a low risk and try your best to wait calmly to hear what they decide. I'm not sure if it helps at all, but I have a 3 or 4mm aneursym (can't remember the exact size) and have lived with the knowledge of having it for approx 3.5 years and remember clearly the feelings you are going through now, but as time has gone on I have found living with it a lot easier - even though I have also experienced a ruptured one. I have mine monitored annually and am currently awaiting results to see if there has been any change in the size, but I do manage to get through most days without even thinking about it, which I wouldn't have been able to do in those early days. I would be lying if I said I didn't worry at all, but I try my best not to as my youngest (11) would certainly pick up on it and then get worried himself. It certainly isn't a nice position to find yourself in, but I do hope it doesn't get to you too much.

Take care,

Sarah

Edited August 2, 2012 by kempse

[MaryB]

I had no idea they just do not fix them when they find them! What does that feel like? Are you aware of it? How did they know to even look?

Welcome Sam, Good Luck - please keep us informed.

maryb

[saml]

I had no idea they just do not fix them when they find them! What does that feel like? Are you aware of it? How did they know to even look?

Welcome Sam, Good Luck - please keep us informed.

maryb

Hi Mary,

I was suffering with pins & needles in my face and head all on the left side in April 2011. I went to the Doctors who made me feel stupid and said it was nothing to worry about probably just migraine. My symptons went only to come back stronger this year in June lastng for two months. I put off going to the Doctors given the way he made me feel after reluctantly going he again said migraine I disagreed given my Mums history and got a referral to the hoSpital and an MRI done. MRI showed up the Annie although they have said my symptons probably have nothing to do with it, I don't believe this. Consultant just said they will probably watch and wait but has referred my case to a neurosurgeon who will assess it. I just want this thing sorting out full stop. Has anyone else suffered similar symptons??? I would appreciate knowing as it might help me argue my case.

Sam x

Edited August 3, 2012 by saml

[MaryB]

Thanks Sam, I do have tingling in my nose left side as well as my left upper lip not always but weekly and it feels so weird.

I have to run to work- thanks for your responds. mary

[saml]

Thanks Sam, I do have tingling in my nose left side as well as my left upper lip not always but weekly and it feels so weird.

I have to run to work- thanks for your responds. mary

Hi Mary,

Yes me to top lip left side which carries through to my check and head. Thank you for your reply and have a good day at work.

Sam x

[Winb143]

A few days before my anni burst..I had a tinny taste in back of throat/nose...I thought I had blown nose too hard !!

If only I'd have known !!

Hope you get it sorted

Regards

WinB143 x

[Louise]

Hi Sam

Warm welcome to the site so glad you found us.

Try & stay calm I know easier said than done, sorry cant help wither its your head or neck maybe they ment it had a neck on it I know some people got that.

hopefull all will become aparent soon

take care, hugs

[Karen]

Hi Sam,

From what I've learnt ... a very small aneurysm, which is what yours is at 2mm, would pose more of a risk to operate on, than the odds of it rupturing at 2mm. A Surgeon would have to weigh this up. Any operation, irrespective of being in the brain, poses a risk factor and it's not something that I'm qualified to answer as I'm not a medic....but a question that you perhaps need to ask?

Smoking and alcohol intake are probably one of the biggest risk factors and also keeping blood pressure at a decent rate.

I would ask the question as to whether they will monitor you, as in scans and keep an eye on the aneurysm, as this will at least give you some peace of mind.

I still have a neck left on my aneurysm and still alive and kicking 7 years after my bleed (I'm still being monitored) .... don't stress too much. Many of us are told that we're born with this type of weakness, so I would imagine that the aneurysm takes many years before it ruptures.

Write down the questions that you need to ask....Good luck! xxx

[SarahLou]

Hello Sam,

Welcome to BTG.

I'm not surprised that you have many questions and concerns, I hope that you get to see a specialist soon.

I only had a tiny anni, 1.5mm x 1.5 mm, however it ruptured, I was told there was a lot of blood, including into my ventricles and I had hydrocephalus. My bleed was two inches behind my left eye and was clipped.

It may have only been a small bleed but it rocked my world and it took me 15 months to return to work. I still don't work my pre SAH hours.

I hope that you get some answers soon and I wish you lots of luck.

Take care,

SarahLou Xx

[goldfish.girl]

Hi Sam

Sorry to hear you are going through this worry. I had 2 large annis, one of which burst and they were both coiled 2 days later. I had a further anni which was 3mm and unruptured at that point. I was given all the facts on the likely outcome of it bursting and the risks of a second operation to coil it (they didn't have coils small enough to treat it during my emergency op). I then had to decide if I wanted to go through with another op or have it monitored. I made the choice to have it treated as I couldn't cope with the worry & fear, maybe more so as I'd already had SAH just weeks before? I have enormous respect for the other members who are still dealing with this situation & fully understand the concern that goes with it.

I understand that the risks of elective surgery will take into account where the anni is etc, etc and some are not operable. For me, taking the risk of a further op so soon after the SAH was the best decision. I think that you need to be given all the facts and available options for your situation before you can find the way forward that suits you best.

Good luck with the appointment and I hope it helps to relieve the worry you are going through.

Michelle x

[saml]

Hi Sam,

From what I've learnt ... a very small aneurysm, which is what yours is at 2mm, would pose more of a risk to operate on, than the odds of it rupturing at 2mm. A Surgeon would have to weigh this up. Any operation, irrespective of being in the brain, poses a risk factor and it's not something that I'm qualified to answer as I'm not a medic....but a question that you perhaps need to ask?

Smoking and alcohol intake are probably one of the biggest risk factors and also keeping blood pressure at a decent rate.

I would ask the question as to whether they will monitor you, as in scans and keep an eye on the aneurysm, as this will at least give you some peace of mind.

I still have a neck left on my aneurysm and still alive and kicking 7 years after my bleed (I'm still being monitored) .... don't stress too much. Many of us are told that we're born with this type of weakness, so I would imagine that the aneurysm takes many years before it ruptures.

Write down the questions that you need to ask....Good luck! xxx

Hi Karen,

I have spoke with the Doctor again today who has advised as you have said. He confirmed it is in the carotid artery and that at this moment in time the risk of it rupturing is tiny. He can't tell me how long I have had it who knows maybe a week maybe twenty years. He said many people have them without consequence so yes he has made me feel a lot better. He has passed my details onto the surgeon who will contact me but I suspect again he will wait and watch. I don't smoke and enjoy a glass of wine occasionally. I can only think I've inherited my Mums week veins ?. Anyhow I do feel alittle easier now and intend to get on with my life and family. I will still question the neuro doc though.

Sam x

[MaryB]

Best of luck Sam!