Unruptured brain aneurysm diagnosis
UK based 34F and I’ve just been diagnosed with a 7-8mm left ICA brain aneurysm. I’d had symptoms, namely differing pressures in my eyes, worsening vision in the left, pain in the left and focal migraines. Frustratingly I had been checked for glaucoma and not one person asked about my family history relating to aneurysms (my dad has one) to account for the different pressures once glaucoma was ruled out; I’m talking 3 or 4 different teams. I had an MRI which picked the aneurysm up because of increased light sensitivity, said to be linked to migraines but the neurology team forgot to refer me for the MRI so this went missed for a year. Not got much faith in doctors after this and a few other missed diagnoses over the years which I’ve only got because I’ve done the research and pushed.
I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon in just under a month’s time but asked to be out on the cancellation list to try and bring forward, as this is obviously making me anxious.
I guess I just wanted some comfort. I’m AuDHD and have no idea if it’s normal to feel stressed and upset about or if I’m being over sensitive due to health anxiety from watching my mum nearly die a few years ago (not aneurysm related).
Does anyone have any experience with treatment, or just getting through the uncertainty? I would ask for commenters with larger aneurysms like mine, given the difference in experience and obvious increased feeling of urgency. If you had treatment, how did it go, were there any side effects or lasting health complications?
If you could offer any words of wisdom or comfort based on your own experiences I would really appreciate it. They’ve told me risk of rupture is about 0.9% over 5 years but that I’m being treated as a high priority which seems contradictory.