Recently diagnosed unruptured brain aneurysm

[Harley2200]

Hi

This the first time I have been on the site - so a little unsure what to say here.... In Feb this year, I was diagnosed with having an unruptured brain aneurysm (7mm..no symptoms) and I am struggling to process this information and get on with my life. My consultant wants to monitor my situation, and advised me to 'just get on with my life', however, I feel anxious all the time and as if I am grieving for my old life - which sounds strange...but I am hoping someone on here may understand how I feel.

If anyone has any tips re how they have coped with same diagnosis, I would be very grateful to hear from you

Thanks

[Andersl]

I understand how you're feeling. I was shocked and very anxious when mine (5mm) was accidentally discovered in 2016.

It took me quite a while to stop thinking about it every day I woke up.

I asked them to put coils in. This was attempted but abandoned as it would have risked my eyesight. It was hard to believe that monitoring was the only action the consultant advised.

Eventually time, research and one a day anti anxiety pills was the answer for me.

It's now 9 years on from diagnosis. In that time the aneurysm has only grown by 1mm but 4 years ago I had a cancer diagnosis. Now that really took my mind off the aneurysm!!

So, hard as it might be to accept monitoring, it really is , at 7mm, the best thing to do. Worry if you want/need to but it won't make it go away or reduce in size and any intervention carries its own risks.

All the best xx

[Harley2200 in reply to Andersl]

Thanks for replying …I really appreciated you taking the time to do so . I’m going to speak to my Doctor about taking some medication for my anxiety …which I hope will also help me to sleep better . I hope you are ok , kind regards xx

[Andersl in reply to Harley2200]

Anytime xx

[Deebomb]

Hey Harley, many blessings to you. I'm in a different position to you. Mine was 9.something cm so they coiled it. I had a feeling something wasn't right for a while, whenever I was on the loo, I remember stopping myself from straining saying things like, people die on the toilet all the time! I was engaging in strenuous activity and had the biggest headache of my life, it was like someone hit me with a baseball bat. I just stopped, lay down and went sleep. Didn't go to the hospital for 2 days but thankfully decided to should check it out. Took a few days and a transfers to a specialist hospital but it got coiled the next week. I remember thinking, whatever happens I can't do anything about this, the doctors are the only people that can help. 2 years after, I'm still very much aware of this thing inside my brain, the headaches, scar and metal screws are always a reminder. The very weather affects me, it's a madness. Let the doctors do their job there's no rush for surgery, trust me!

Cast your cares unto the Lord, I was raised Christian and found comfort in the bible and through meditation. I pray you find strength and your thoughts don't become a burden to you.

Peace and love 😘

[Gizmo45]

Hello Harley

I read your post this morning which has brought me a lot of comfort to be honest as I have been going through the same feelings since being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. I am 63 years old and walked out of my job as a bookeeper last year as I was struggling to deal with my work load and my memory was diminishing. I had taken on a younger lady to help me, but she was pointing out mistakes I was making and I felt she was belittling me in front of my boss and work colleagues. As I already had a private pension, I could access, I decided to retire. My family have been very supportive and as they had also noticed my memory problem they organised a brain scan which resulted in no signs of dementia thankfully, but a brain aneurysm was found. I have now had the dye put through my body to inspect the aneurysm and I presume to measure the size of the aneurysm. I am waiting for an appointment to see the consultant.

Since all this has happened, my anxiety has gone through the roof. Having been so methodical throughout my life in every aspect, bringing up my boys, working, involved in the community, scouts, church etc., I now feel a total wreck…I write notes everywhere, on my calendar and then forget to check my calendar! My memory is terrible, mainly because of the anxiety. Luckily my husband has a fantastic memory and he now only works part time so he can be at home with me more. He retires later in the year.

I often meet up with friends for lunch and distract myself from my anxiety and I am hoping to join my local leisure gym/pool once I get the clearance from my doctor and I know what exercises I am allowed to do.

I think the next step for me will be to see a therapist who can help me come to terms with it all, to deal with the anxiety instead of distraction and bring back that strong, capable woman I’ve always been.

Harley, I fully understand how you feel and I only hope my words give you some comfort. I would love to hear how things progress with you.

Linda x

[Andersl in reply to Gizmo45]

As anxiety is normal after diagnosis it is a shame therapy isn't prescribed at that time.Consultants know the potential reaction of patients but expect words like "go live your life" to do the trick. It's not enough.

Time for change

[Harley2200 in reply to Gizmo45]

Hi Linda

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply ..I really appreciate it

I have always been a strong person ( I was a police officer for 20years and now a university lecturer in Policing) and the fact that I can’t seem to deal with my anxiety makes me feel a failure …which increases my anxiety ! Some activities like seeing friends do distract me… but when I see them feeling sorry for me …it makes me so sad …I end up not being able to control my emotions …and I’m so tired of crying all the time .

Waking the dog really helps as this definitely decreases my anxiety….I now also have tinnitus…caused by the stress …and that’s only quiet when I walk ….

I do worry about returning to work as I don’t receive my pension for another two years …and whilst I love my job …it’s very stressful and I don’t fee capable of dealing with thy stress yet …so worrying about that is also increasing my anxiety

Can I ask …how long ago did you receive uour diagnosis ? I’m hoping that as mine was only in February that time will help me come to terms with it ?!? Has time helped you? I’m considering taking medication for anxiety so I can get some sleep…as I’m really struggling with staying asleep…and lack of sleep makes it harder for me to deal with this …have you tried any medication?

I’m going to see an EMDR consultant soon…as I’m hoping that will help me to deal with my anxiety ….as I have several friends who have tried it for stress / trauma

I’m so glad you have a supportive family…I’m lucky re that too …i don’t know how I would have coped without my husband…..

Thanks again for replying …it makes me feel less alone too xx

[Gizmo45]

Hello Harley

Sorry for the late reply. It is good to hear back from you and I can relate so much to how you feel.

It is over a year since I left my job due to stress and I am lucky that I have a private pension to access until I get my state pension in 3 years. At 63 I feel life is too short now even though I have yet to have my final appointment with the consultant to see how big of a risk the aneurism is. My mum died at 52 and my dad at 59, so I am a big believer of not putting things off. I was diagnosed around September or October last year but was struggling with anxiety from March 2022 when I left my job.

I too still get anxious but less so. Last year I struggled with sleep massively, so much so I moved into the spare room so I could let my husband get a good nights sleep. I still use the spare room if I’m feeling unwell or anxious. I have a supportive husband and son who help me look at things differently when my mind gets carried away worrying about the future and how my aneurysm may affect my life span. I hope my next appointment with the consultant will bring me some reassurance on that.

My consultant prescribed Propanolol (Bedranol) 10mg and I just take one a day but I can take up to three a day if needed. I’m not a big believer in taking pills and sometimes just take paracetamol if my head feels heavy. I think the main threat was my blood pressure at the time but that is well under control now.

I met my ex work colleagues this week which was a fun and laughter filled day. In between those times we meet up, I still revert back to feeling anxious but much less than I did last year. I hope that’s a good sign and helps bring some positivity to you and your recovery Hayley.

I can imagine as a police officer there are many unsavoury situations that you come across which could make you feel down. I have the greatest respect for your profession as I was dragged off the street at the age of 15 and sexually assaulted by a stranger. This left a lasting affect on my life and my confidence and still does today. I would never walk anywhere alone day or night. Maybe I should look into EMDR treatment for my past trauma, I’m those days it was never offered.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on Hayley.

Best wishes

Linda

[Harley2200 in reply to Gizmo45]

Hi and thanks for your message …I always appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I am so sorry to hear of your awful experience when you were younger …and I would highly recommend EMDR ….as I know it can really help to process traumatic events ….and also hep to treat anxiety caused by the diagnosis…which is why I’m going to have some sessions

The fact that you feel less anxious a year on…does hep me to feel more positive ….and knowing that I’m not the only one going through this …really helps

Take care of yourself and I hope we stay in touch x

[Alibongo60]

Hi Harley, I had an aneurysm found in 2012 I had coils and stents fitted because of where mine is which is at the back and underneath it can’t be removed, so coils were the only option. It has remained very unpredictable over the years, returning so big it was pressing on my brain stem at one point, so I have had to accept it and get along as best I can. It ruptured in 2017, and I shouldn’t have survived but here I am and apart from being a little forgetful, balance unsteady and headaches and fatigue, I’ve been very lucky, so I take every day as it comes and count my blessings, and thank the brilliant surgeons at Salford royal , so you see there is always hope, never lose hope, I talk with people on headway, who have had brain injuries or support people with brain injuries and they are inspiring, and we support each other, you can always find support there, take care love Alice xx

[Harley2200 in reply to Alibongo60]

Hi Alice, thanks you so much for replying …I am very grateful

I’m so glad to hear that you survived when it ruptured….that is one of my biggest fears….and so your experience has given me hope …so thanks again for sharing it with me

Take care of yourself xx

[Alibongo60 in reply to Harley2200]

I must say when Annie became so big to press on my brain, that I may have a few more coils but it would be risky and may not work, the day before surgery I was in the shower shaving and I collapsed my son found me and called the ambulance. I went down to Salford for my appt to be told I had a blood clot in front of aneurysm and was blocking it off. My one scan since has found the clot was still in place and the aneurysm was shrinking, so please never give up hope, I will take this for now, this was my last year of five that my surgeon had given me so now who knows take care love Alice xx

[Harley2200 in reply to Alibongo60]

hi Alice

Thanks for your last message ….I wish you all the best and thanks for making me feel less alone and that I can feel more positive x

[Alibongo60 in reply to Harley2200]

H Harley, we’re always here for you, don’t ever feel your alone, we all know what it feels like take care and keep in touch xx