Living With an Unruptured Brain Aneurysm - 2022 Update

[@user-ev7ef1ue3x]

September 5th 2023, my aneurysm was fixed with a pipeline embolization device. My aneurysm was 8 mm. The device got sent through a catheter from my groin. In a year I will have another angiogram and they said there is a 95% chance it will be completely healed. Thank you to The Brain Institute for Anuerysms at Beth Isreal, Boston.

[@Rosemary-lg8sf]

I have two brain aneurysms ( coiled) my neurologist told me I would live 20 more years 23 yrs ago.

[@khaleesisnow1683]

🙏🙏

[@Vicki70x7]

Hi Melissa, I was just diagnosed with a rare, 1 centimeter, inoperable, aneurysm. I searched aneurysm on KZbin and found your site. I plan to listen all of your videos. But you haven’t posted in a year. Are you still here ❤?

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Yes I am!

[@Vicki70x7]

@@melissachalmersJNF I’m so glad!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your posts. They helped me to overcome that punch in the gut feeling. 😊

[@TappingDr]

Thank you. I'm encouraged, mine is uncultured as well.

[@richportercrewonfiverr5179]

🙏 God has his loving hands on you

[@rociogarcia-bv2pp]

Hi Melissa, following your aneurysm experience. This will make me 9 yrs living with my un ruptured aneurysm. No change in size but I have seen multiple NYC neuro surgeons who all say I should seek treatment. Embolism to be exact. I will be getting treatment in April 🤞🏼

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Good luck!

[@tinapatrick2193]

Hope you are doing great now

[@JnTmarie]

Had my aneurysm treated 3 months ago. It was w a more advanced stent. They have come a long way in 8 years. Dr Riina at NYU did it. I’m off blood thinners still on aspirin and feel grateful for the new technology. I wasn’t aware an aneurysm could have impact on your health. I wish you all the best.

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Wow, no blood thinner or aspirin, that's amazing! So glad to hear you are doing well!

[@sammili7639]

Hello, and thank you for sharing! I’m having brain aneurysm concerns at the moment, and was just looking into NYU neurosurgeons yesterday. If you don’t mind sharing, how was your experience with Dr. Riina and post-surgery/treatment? I’m getting super anxious about the procedure, recovery process, and risks involved.

[@JnTmarie]

@@sammili7639 I think dr Riina is great and his office. I think you’re making the right choice. Tell him you heard from janet who was concerned about doing ballet and barre classes. The whole team discussed it and his associates looked at me like I was a professional ballerina lol. I’m not. My point. They take what you say seriously. The best care Please let me know how you do. The surgery: he went through my the artery in my wrist i wouldn’t have known anything was done. Amazing I met the guy who invented this stent. So advanced. Your own cells fill it in. Why put off closing it off when it’s so simple to do. Why Risking it rupturing ? Most people come out not even knowing they had something done. The aneurysm was closed off and until the blood dried up in it it put pressure on an area that gave me a bad headache. But after that I was fine. A few weeks precautionary no heavy lifting and I was back to everything. That was in November. I’m so grateful. I’d like to come off the aspirin also. I’m a whole food plant based vegan don’t like drugs. but I’m listening to him and we re evaluate again soon. My scan looks great. I felt I was in great hands. He’s a very calm nice guy as well. Easy to talk with.

[@cheesecakefiend]

@JnTmarie if you don’t mind me asking how large was the aneurysm? Do they mainly operate if it’s over 3mm?

[@kule510]

@@JnTmariehow are you doing now?

[@frankbordenave7299]

Thank you for sharing your journey. I found your series after being diagnosed with 2 anurysms and an AVM. I am going to have Steriotactic radiosurgery in a week. Thank again

[@Lovejoigirl]

How is everything going? My mom had the clipping surgery. Hers was un ruptured as well. She recovered nicely! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

[@frankbordenave7299]

Hello, this coming Thursday, 7 Dec I will have radiotactic surgery. In my case, I have a grade 3 AVM and a large aneurysm. It's in a place where coiling or clipping would cause a stroke, so not an option.

[@thomasjacks4287]

See that you haven’t posted in two or three years, hope you are still doing well. Just found your videos. As a 46 year old male I Just found out that I had an unruptured aneurysm. Not sure what kind it is but I was told that it was small and to follow up in 6 months to see if it has expanded. That didn’t sound to reassuring to me seeing the symptoms that I have been having. I do have a specialist that they referred to me that is in Cleveland and to get in contact with his offices for an appointment. Now I’m a little uneasy about doing anything active.

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Yes, I'm doing fine. I would definitely get a second opinion. Good luck!

[@lewisnonya761]

The 2 active ones I have are tiny been observing them for about 4 years now.. I deal with vestibular migraines I also have meniere's disease I am a disabled veteran with severe PTSD anxiety and depression living with two active brain aneurysms is like walking around with two hand grenades with pins pulled already you are a warrior living with an active brainerism is something very few could really understand I suffered a series of mini strokes when they clipped the first one

[@angierandomstuff]

in your opinion is it more dangerous if they mess with them?

[@lewisnonya761]

I'm just having them monitored

[@angierandomstuff]

@@lewisnonya761 thank you for responding quickly

[@angiek4586]

I came across your video in hopes to learn more on what it’s like living with brain aneurysm. After a car accident I was taken to a hospital ! Had a doctor in the emergency come into my room asking if I knew I had two brain aneurysm. I was shock to learn this . I told her a had no clue of the aneurysms I,’m schedule to see a neurologist very soon . Not sure what to expect!

[@melissachalmersJNF]

That is very lucky that they found them! Be sure that they confirm the aneurysms with an angiogram. Best of luck, I know it's hard to deal with but the good news is they found them BEFORE they ruptured!

[@johannes2599]

I can relate, I recently was given the same brain aneurysm diagnosis. I will be undergoing coiling repair for the larger one (on basilar tip) May 24,2022. Neurosurgeon will be taking more photos of the second one located in the M1 middle right side inquiring if repair is possible. I hope you are getting some answers.

[@angierandomstuff]

@@johannes2599 how did everything turn out. How are you doing now?

[@tinapatrick2193]

Hi Melissa I came across your video, i was diagnosed with 2 unruptured brain aneurysm, measuring 11.5 mm and the second 4mm and my angiogram is is in 5 days am scared, i have pressure on my head and all over my face and neck, am so scared i think of my 3 little children i don't want to die😢 i love my babies

[@alecsouriyadeth4593]

I’ll be praying for you! I’m worried myself. Do you have pressure behind your eyes? Are you sleeping alright ?

[@tinapatrick2193]

@@alecsouriyadeth4593 yes I have pressure in my eyes ,sometimes I feel like my ear is about to block just for a second, sometimes I can't even lay my head down to sleep,I put my hope and trust in God

[@alecsouriyadeth4593]

@@tinapatrick2193 How did they diagnose you ? How did they find out ? Or did you feel something was wrong then get a mri

[@alecsouriyadeth4593]

@@tinapatrick2193 The good news is it’s unruptured and can be fixed !

[@tinapatrick2193]

I gave birth July last year after three months of Postpartum I started feeling a weird sensation in my head with no pain, i thought it was the blood pressure medication that am taking, after some months I started feeling pressure on my neck too but with no pain, just last month i felt dizziness and headache but this headache never stopped even with pain medication,so my instinct said no you need to go to MRI, so i make an appointment and here i am with 2 unruptured brain aneurysm 11.5 a 4mm so my angiogram is tomorrow and I am nervous and depressed 😔 I still have this headache thou.

[@aswanin4801]

Anybody here with Aneurysm disappeared without any interventions?

[@scottrobinhuffman6705]

I have just been diagnosed with 2 aneurysms on each side. I’m also in the Dallas area. I’m going to UTSW . I have only had one visit and I’m suppose to go back in August . They didn’t tell me the type etc. actually I didn’t get much information at all . I was just told to come back in 6 months and they will do another cat scan. They are both 4cm

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Hi Scott, I'm sorry to hear that and hope everything is OK. I would 100% get a second opinion. I ended up having to go to a neurosurgeon in Houston before I got the right answer. Best of luck!

[@susandhargrove9184]

Hope you are well. I’m in Denton, was taken to FT Worth er intervention radiology for coils and stents. Yes I had rat side paralysis shortly after, but it resolved quick. What I learned is most times they won’t treat unless they are 7mm or larger. My unruptured ones are growing, about 5 cm in March. Feeling ok, tired often but able to drive and be normal activities. Prayers for you.

[@user-fx7nt5mt8u]

In 2013 I got my 36mm brain aneurysm clipped and endovascular coiled . It's on my basilar artery. The doctor had to block the left artery. Now is about 18mm. I had the left part on my body paralysed. Now it is fully recovered. But I have suffered from panic attacks for many years. I get tired faster. I'm a dreamer and one a month I burnt out myself. I'm a writer, have my full time job at a furniture factory ( because I love building stuff and I need my paycheck to live) and I go to the gym six days a week. I still have headaches and sometimes I can't get out of bed. I am grateful to recover to this but its hard because most people don't believe me and put me in dangerous situations. My stress tolerability for my brain and body is low and people don't really understand and care. I am sorry for my English.

[@kule510]

How are you doing now?

[@user-fx7nt5mt8u]

@@kule510 if I have to be honest I don't know... The doctor gave me a maximum five years to live. It's been eleven this year. I wonder how many years I have. This past two weeks were hell. I can't get out of bed. The temperature is changing a lot hot and cold. And my blood pressure is going crazy with it.

[@kule510]

@@user-fx7nt5mt8u I hope you start feeling better soon. Have the doctors seen you for a follow up?

[@heyitsthatmoviedude1627]

@@user-fx7nt5mt8u flicking through comments and just wanted to say that i hope you're doing alright

[@ulisesvazquez4273]

Hi melissa! When will you update us next? I have scheduled surgery on June 9th for my 4mm ICA but im going back and forth wether to do it or not. Doctor says I can just monitor it for now.

[@fayeart5277]

Curious what did you decided to do? I just found out I have two aneurisms that are going to be clipped which requires cranium surgery. I'm am petrified as I just seen what my sister (RIP) went through with brain cancer. Mine are over 5mm, my neuro surgeon said he normally monitors them if they are under 5mm depending ofcourse depending on type, location, ect... ~wishing you the best

[@fayeart5277]

Just found out I have two, more (a total 4) I'm so, discouraged these are small so, they will monitor these two

[@jonnie135]

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and experiences. I have a question for everyone. I had a brain aneurysm surgery back in 2006. They clipped the aneurysm and at this point in my life at age 53 now, I would like to use a small exercise rebounder. I am wondering if anyone uses one, or jogs, or do any types of physical activity or exercise and is it safe to do?? Thanks!!

[@susandhargrove9184]

Check with a neurosurgeon. Mine says No! Other excises are okay. Yoga, total gym.

[@SaMatt-kg2sz]

My older sister had a rupture dec 23 had life saving surgery and she’s home from the hospital. She has a 2nd one they are monitoring. I’m getting checked soon. I’m terrified

[@melissachalmersJNF]

I'm so sorry to hear that but hope she is OK. It can be hereditary but it's generally a very small percentage. Better to be checked out though to be safe.

[@SaMatt-kg2sz]

@@melissachalmersJNF she’s doing pretty well for having a rupture. Only issue she is having at the moment is sensitivity to hot/cold rough/smooth feelings. My mom also had a rupture in 1999.

[@JnTmarie]

I had one done it was easy. With the new technology why hesitate. Mine was a 6. High risk for rupture. I just went to find out why I have balance problems in a ballet class. They did a scan and just happened to find this. Turns out my balance problem is in my arms and feet. But so glad I got the scan to find this. Everyone should get scanned. I avoided a stroke.

[@SaMatt-kg2sz]

@@JnTmarie I’m battling with my insurance they are telling me it’s not medically necessary for me to get one even though my mom and sister both had a rupture.

[@fayeart5277]

@@SaMatt-kg2sz these are highly hereditary, that's insane... keep fighting them

[@lewisnonya761]

I'm living with 2 of them and the 3rd one that was clipped 14mm in diameter

[@melissachalmersJNF]

Wow, sorry to hear that, I hope you are doing OK!

[@lewisnonya761]

@@melissachalmersJNF I am currently in the hospital I have a terminal diagnosis it's asbestos related damage to my lungs but right now 75% of my esophagus is ulcerated my kidneys have been shutting down just had a renal biopsy done I'm a Navy veteran giving up is not an option everyday it's a new adventure

[@melissachalmersJNF]

@@lewisnonya761 Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers are with you to overcome this difficult time. Hugs.

[@lewisnonya761]

@@melissachalmersJNF thank you and prayers to you also Warrior

[@masonsmith9619]

@@lewisnonya761You’re a real trooper. I hope you’re still around to read this. God bless you.

[@lolgeselle]

Hey girly, I just got diagnosed with a 2mm brain aneurysm I know it’s small but I’m definitely going to be active about learning about it and doing more research. I love that you’ve been here and were one of the first to share your story. Keep sharing your journey and being an inspiration to all. 🤍

[@Rosemary-lg8sf]

I have 2 same size Dr gave me choice to clip them or wait until it's bigger, my choice clip them because we never know if they grow and break unexpectedly any time soon and the anxiety through out the years wouldn't help. I was at ease after it was done and that was 23 yrs ago.

[@Lovejoigirl]

@@Rosemary-lg8sfmy mom had hers clipped as well 6weeks ago. 🩷 All Is well! How are you?

[@rickmorty5215]

You still alright??😓

[@melissachalmersJNF]

I am, thank you!

[@dadodimmy2044]

Can a 14 years old get aneurysm?

[@melissachalmersJNF]

One can develop at any age but there aren't generally any symptoms unless it ruptures. Have your parents take you to have it checked out to be safe.

[@zdavidzz]

How do we even know if you are still alive babe?

[@melissachalmersJNF]

I'm still here!