Brain aneursym

I recently was in the hospital and they found a 3 mm  aneursym in my left side of the brain. I do not see the neurosurgeon for a week, but in the meantime  even with the medicine they gave me things seem to be getting worse. My headaches have been horrible and my vision is getting worse. I am  getting scared because the dr said just keep a journal of the problems. Has anyone else had this size aneursym and these symptoms and what did they do?

[Eddie1994]

Although 3.0 is on the lower side of the 5.0 when surgery is usually warranted, rate of growth is most important.  Until you see your Neurosurgeon, reduce any risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, and consider reducing any vigerous exercise.  You can also discuss with your Doctor about taking anxiety medication until your appointment.

Your age is the same as when my wife suffered her ruptured aneurysm 18 years ago.  Also while you are waiting for the appoinment, make sure you develop contingency plans in the event your condition worsens.  By this I mean, make sure you have all legal and medical documents such as power of attorney for both financial and medical, wills etc.  Also if you don't have someone who can help you if your condition worsens.  By doing these tasks ahead of time you can reduce anxiety.  All of this is not to assume a worst case, but to plan for potential problems.  If you have any additional questions I will be happy to help answer them as best I can because of our past experience.  

[sara12345]

Hi Angie,

Yes, I think that Eddie has it right about the growth of it being most important.

I also have a 3mm brain aneurysm.  After being found, it was rechecked 2 months later with a CT scan and then again 6 months later with an MRA/MRI.  Same size and has kept being the same size when it is being checked every 2 years.

I've been told that the chance of it rupturing at that size is extremely unlikely compared to the risks of surgery by two neurosurgeons and a neurologist at Cleveland clinic.  The first neurosurgeon I saw said that it needed to be operated on by direct surgery instead of another surgery where they go through the vein from below which is far less risky.  The first one did not put his recommendation in his patient report and he was just out of his residency the year before. I saw him in January.  So if you get told to have surgery, get other opinions.  There are significant risks including paralysis, loss of speech and death from having the surgery.  And it could easily cost $100,000.

If it grows to the surgery stage, then you are wiser to chance the surgery, because the risks of it rupturing are far more likely to kill you.  I was told that #1 was to keep my blood pressure under control, just like Eddie said.

Also, you may post your comment on this same website under the Health Forum, "Brain Aneurysm" where you are likely to get more postings back.

So I wouldn't get too excited at the moment.  Take care.

[sara12345]

Eddie,

How large was your wife's aneurysm when it burst?  I sure hope it wasn't 3 mm.   Was her blood pressure under control when it happended?  And what was her recovery?  

Would really appreciate hearing back from you.

Sara

[Eddie1994]

Sara,
The measurement wasn't taken since as the Neurosurgeon was attaching the aneurysm clip it burst fully - talk about timing.  I assume it was quite large, more then 5mm based on the operative notes. At the time, my wife was 34 and blood pressure wasn't really a issue, nor did she have headaches prior to the first rupture (but she did have unexplained headaches ten years earlier but a CT scan didn't suggest the presence of a aneurysm).

Her first few days after surgery were touch and go with cardiac arrest 3 times and for the next week after she was in a induced coma then slowly brought awake.   After 23 days she was released to a rehab hospital for two weeks and then recovered slowly over the next six months until the first major migraine hit and that's all she has known since that time.  Fortunately for her we now know what triggers her migraines but the problem is how to avoid them.

[sara12345]

Eddie,

I read both your answers.  I am glad to hear that your wife's headaches are much better, especially with the anti-depressant.  I'm sure that you know that anti-depressants also serve as pain killers even for people who do not suffer from depression at all.

My headache specialist suggested that as one of my treatments I increase the level of my Effexor to just treat my migraines.  I refused due to the fact that I have practically no sex drive, even though I've changed to Pristiq, which has helped my sex drive some.  Not sure if that could be a reason why your wife hasn't increased her medication.

I may be imposing on you more than is tolerable to tell you details about myself below.  I would be interested in any observations you may have about me.  If not, just ignore my posting.

I have had 24/7 migraines since I had a major stroke.  All I would need is brain surgery since my brain is already greatly compensating for the damage that the stroke did.  My neurosurgeon and none of my 4 neurologists think that my headaches are due to my aneurysm. but who knows.  The migraines were characteristically different and severe beyond what any pain killer would touch at the time I had the stroke.  Then they stayed severe 24/7 until I had nerve block, trigger point and botox injections regularly.  No preventative medicine helped me, except an herbal one called Petadolex.  I assume that your wife's headaches are not bad enough any more to consider any other treatments.

I find that the things that drive my migraines up are 1) too much physical exertion (forget any exercise), 2) not getting the 12 hours of sleep that I've required since my stroke, or 3) if it gets close to when I need my next Botox injections which I can't get any more frequently.  And I am fairly disabled in what I can do in a day without the migraines getting severe.

Again, I am so impressed with your research on your wife's headaches.   Thanks for listening to me, but I really don't expect any comments from you.  

Sara

[Eddie1994]

Hi Sara,

My wife didn't continue the anti-depressants so her migraines remain.  It really occurs in her when she comes in contact with any type of electric field.  I know it sounds impossible but when she is isolated from any fields or electrical equipment she's OK but the second she exposes the side of her head with the metal sutures the migraine sequence commences.  If I could keep her on a deserted island she would never have a migraine, but so far I can't seem to find one available in my price range :)

You mentioned a NSAID gel prescription, could you provide a name or something that we can mention to her Neurologist.  Anything is worth a try.  Feel free to contact me at anytime.

Eddie

[sara12345]

Eddie,

Yes,  very few people and doctors know about it.  The ingredients of this anti-inflammation gel that requires a special pharmacy to mix up are:  Amitrityline-2%, Ketoprofen – 10%, Gabapentin – 3%, Lidocaine – 2% and Transdermal Gel – 60 g.  Needs a prescription to get.

If you can't find a specialty pharmacy to mix up the ingredients, the pharmacy that I use in Michigan does mail them out.

I put it where the headache hurts worse which is on the front of my face.  It helps the milder to moderate migraines.  And getting them early may prevent the more serious ones.

And yes, in our society it is impossible to live a full life having to avoid any electrical fields.  Your answer implies that the anti-depressants did help her migraines, so I'm surprised that anyone would choose migraines over an anti-depressant.  I guess the migraines aren't that bad.  Still, you are right to try anything else to help her.  You're a terrific husband.

Sara

[Angie0121]

I have been reading your posts. 1. My headaches are so debilitating I have not been able to do ANYTHING. I have two kids 9 and 10 and it is so exhausting just to play ball with them let alone drive them around. Sunlight kills me even if it's cloudy I have sunglasses on. I don't sleep because I am so uncomfortable . I go to the surgeon Tuesday and cannot wait because I just want to live a normal life again.

[Eddie1994]

Hi Sara,
Actually the anti-depressants cause her to be non-lucid and non functional in any meaningful way.  She's just one of those patients for which anti-depressants work the wrong way.  If there were some less risky surgical procedure to remove the five cranial bone flap metal sutures she would be able to lead a migraine free life.

[Eddie1994]

Make sure that your sunglasses remove 99% of  UVA/UVB rays.  They cost a bit more but well worth it.  Also consider a large brim hat offering a SPF 30-50.  Sunlight actually contains photonic electrical energy which allows for solar power.  Maybe the aneurysm might be near the optic nerve thereby causing the migraine.

[Angie0121]

I actually bought the subclasses but I live like a hermit my blinds and shades are closed,I rarely if ever go outside, I absolutely love gardening and can't. My blood pressure is under control now and was before this got started, it spiked for about a month no explanation whatsoever. My grandfather,aunt, and cousin all passed away very young from this so it makes me a little more worried. I also have a clotting factor which does not help. My grandfather was 58, but my aunt and cousin who were both females were under the age of 38.

[sara12345]

So hear to hear that.  I had never heard of such a reaction like that, but we are all different.  Of course, she wouldn't want to take them.  

Sorry for my ignorance.

Sara

[Eddie1994]

If you haven't made this knowledge of your relatives to your Doctor's you should.  Now that it's getting lighter longer you could go out in the early evenings and enjoy your gardening.  Have you noticed whether any strong or very bright inside lighting causing the same problems?

[Eddie1994]

Hi Sara,

No need to apologize.  Nurseof40Years thought we shouldn't share any knowledge but as you can see we all can learn something new everyday.  Have a great day!

[sara12345]

Eddie,
You're so right about that.  That's what this Medhelp website is about.
Sara