MRI, MRA's and aneurysm

[MAB]

I had an MRI and MRA's with and with out contrast last week. I also had an EEG. The nurse called to tell me the EEG showed nothing. I called them back about the MRI and MRA's and they said the doctor would call me on Thursday when she got back to the office. The MRA with contrast results are not back yet but the results of the MRI and MRA w/o contrast were posted overnight in "My Chart". I printed the results out and since and I had to see my neurosurgeon for my 3 year checkup for back surgery today I asked him what they meant. He suggested I see a vascular surgeon because it looks like I have a small aneurysm.

I am about to freak out. I hope the neurologist calls me early Thursday. I also see my PA tomorrow regarding my thyroid but I doubt she will tell e anything.

And I had another partial seizure this morning. I've been up since 3AM.

 

[Nakamova]

That must be scary. But the positive news is that the aneurysm is unruptured, and not large enough to require emergency surgery. Much better to find out about it before those stages are reached.

Make sure to write down questions for the neuro before Thursday, like....
Does she think there's a connection between the aneurysm and your partials?
What part of the brain is the aneurysm located in?
How small is "small"?
What are the next steps?

And if you are up to it, you might start some researching to get a sense of what might be involved:
http://www.brainaneurysm.com/treatment
http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20001030/brain-aneurysms-to-operate-not-to-operate

:hugs:

 

[MAB]

Thanks Nakamova. I almost feel like taking 1/2 mg klonipin just to calm down.

I doubt the aneurysm is the cause of the seizures. All the symptoms of the seizures effect the left side of my body. The stroke 4 years ago was on the right side of my brain and seizures started immediately but were treated as TIA's until recently. The aneurysm is on the left side. I guess my entire brain is messed up.

On a brighter note when I saw the neurosurgeon this morning for my 3 year check up for my back he said everything is great. I am completely pain free!!! I had 16 hours of surgery 3 years ago. I told him I think he actually saved my life because I was on an extreme amount of pain meds and they were not really helping. He asked me if I would write a "Hope" story for their quarterly publication. I'm going to try but with my bad memory I'm not sure I can. He said they would help me fill in the missing pieces.

 

[Nakamova]

It's a good sign if the aneurysm isn't causing any symptoms.
And congrats on the successful back surgery! Being pain-free is no small deal.

 

[MAB]

I hear a sometimes here a whooshing in my left ear and occasionally also a heartbeat but I assume(d) it is/was caused by the seizures.

 

[Nakamova]

Worth asking the neuro and/or vascular surgeon about. Could be tinnitus or migraine/seizure-related, but could also relate to vascular issues.

 

[MAB]

Thanks for being able to interpret what I write. I swear I proof read everything before I post and it usually comes out a mess.

I think the neuro ordered all the tests because I mentioned the whooshing and heartbeat sounds. She got a different look on her face when I told her about them.