Query please

[Judithba]

Hi. I'm sorry but I don't know what bi is, can someone tell me please

Thank you

[MXman]

Hi Judith,

Bi is Brain Injury. XX N

[cat3]

Hi Judith. As MXman has explained, BI means brain injury whether it's an injury caused by trauma (as in a bang to the head) or whether it's caused by a stroke, tumour, haemorrhage or other disease.

Do you have any of these, or is this just a general inquiry ? Cat x

[Judithba in reply to cat3]

Hello Cat. I had a burst aneurysm and a few days later I had a stroke. I've recently been for my scan results but they think the blood vessel has "dropped" because the coiling and vessel has not shown on the Mra or MRI. I'm just waiting to go back into hospital for an angiogram and feeling very nervous about it.

Have you had an injury?

[cat3 in reply to Judithba]

Yes Judith, I had a brain haemorrhage in Dec 2011 which was coiled and kept me hospitalised for a couple of months.

The Angiogram is only scary because the procedure, and high-tech room where it's performed, are so unfamiliar.

You'll have been told, I hope, how the tube will be inserted into your groin and through a blood vessel up to your brain.

This, of course, is the same method used for accessing the brain during the coiling procedure................so nothing you haven't had before. However the Angiogram is done whilst we're conscious, but sedation is available to distance yourself from what's happening.

But even conscious, the worst you'd experience would be a warm sensation when the dye is introduced through the catheter, and this sensation doesn't last more than a minute or two. So at the worst it's a bit uncomfortable, but not in the least harmful.

I understand how new procedures stress us out but, if you're really apprehensive, please ask for sedation and you won't know much about it.

Hope this cyber-hug I'm sending, with my best wishes, will calm you a little. Love Cat x

[Judithba in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat thank you for the information it's really helpful. I collapsed and was unconscious so I don't know anything about it really. I was in intensive care for 4 weeks and in hospital for 8 weeks but I only know the last three days before I came home!

Have you recovered from it fully Cat? My short term memory has been affected and also I still get headaches. They're not every day now but I do get a few every week. I think it's part of the recovery process!

Best wishes

Judith xx

[cat3 in reply to Judithba]

Everyone seems to be affected with common issues but to different degrees. My main problem is the (very common) short-term memory loss. I can tell you everything in detail from years ago but cannot recall what was said minutes ago.

And my word recall is dreadful, which is frustrating at times especially when I want to get a point across but can't access the words.

Top of the list (also common) is fatigue and headaches, together with loss of patience, dislike of noise & bright lights and reduced mobility.

I too cannot remember anything other than feeling light headed when I collapsed with the SAH, so the following couple of months were a 'picnic' for me but a dreadful time for family.

Some have had better recoveries than me whilst others not so good, so it's a bit of a lottery Judith. I hope you're one of the lucky ones !! xx

[malalatete]

Judith - if you search for my post 'My cerebral angiogram' from 3 months ago you will find a detailed description of the whole process. Hope it will help.

[lcd8]

Hi Judith. So sorry to hear about your hemorrhage. My BI is caused by the presence of an AVM (arteriovenous malformation). I also get recurrent Hydrocephalus as a secondary condition and for this I have a Shunt. Hydrocephalus was first detected when I was 14 and was on the verge of having a brain hemorrhage. Thank god they caught it just in time. My AVM is monitored every 2 years to check for changes and I have an Angiogram each time. Its really not anything to worry about and I'm sure you will be fine. I can understand you being nervous though. I find it a better experience if I can see the screen and where the dye goes once injected. An AVM is a tangle of blood vessels and I'm quite fascinated when I watch it. I don't generally suffer many deficits from my condition. But fatigue and short-term memory issues are two that are familiar to me . I find it best to sleep as much as you need to and keep a notebook on you at all times to write down important details. Very best of luck to you.

[Judithba]

Thank you so much for replying to me.

Best wishes

Judith

[GT500]

Hi Judith,

I had an aneurysm coiled in Dec 2012.

I've since had 4 or 5 angiograms to better show the blood flow in my brain.

My first one was nothing short of terrifying, as I had no idea what was coming.

Now I look back with mild amusement.

Your lying on a laughingly narrow bed which could easily be mistaken for an ironing board, it's a sturdy thing, just narrow.

The people that do this are staggeringly well trained and calming, that helps loads.

You have to lie REALLY still otherwise you blur the picture.

They squirt in iodine (very pure) into 3 distinct parts of the brain ( on me anyway ).

The right side is an odd warming sensation that just feels, umm, err, odd!

The left side is v similar with tingles in your left arm.

The back feels a lot warmer but not hot or burning and you feel like you're about to pass out for a few seconds. Each squirt only seemed to last about 5 seconds.

There's also a 10 inch or so square flat plastic thing that is positioned near your head during all this, it occasionally moves around slowly. I've not got a clue what it is.

Don't panic or worry, there's no need and no point.

Oh Ye'h, you have to stay lying down for ages after, which I just find annoying as I feel like I just want to go home.

All the best.

[Judithba]

Thank you so much for the information. I'm trying not to worry!!

Best wishes

Judith