CH & Aneurysm

[LissaB]

Hi :

I have not been on this site in years. I have been dealing with CH for 15 years. It has recently discovered that I have 2 aneurysms. Both are located behind my left eye in the same area as the CH. 

I am wondering how many other people with CH also have aneurysms.

[Freud]

Any decent headache specialist usually orders a head CT or MRI to rule out pituitary tumors and aneurysms. There is a really low incidence of them occurring with CH. 

 

now that hat you have this extra info what are your options if you don’t mind me asking. 

 

Brian

[LissaB]

Surgery is the only option. I have seen 3 specialists and they do not have a common opinion.  My neurologist claims I have 2.  I went to a Neurosurgeon who told me there is only 1 and it is 4 mm wide.  He wants to monitor it claims it is too small to fix yet. I went to a second neurosurgeon who said I have 1 aneurysm and 1 they are not sure what it is. He agreed the one is 4mm wide and said the golden standard is they only repair them when they reach 7mm. He also said he has repaired more than 100 ruptured aneurysms and 70% are 4mm or smaller. He is recommending surgery. So I'm still in the WTF stage. I just say the last guy earlier this week. It doesn't help that no 2 people have the same opinion.

[Freud]

I’m so sorry, you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. With out getting too personal where do you live, how did you find the surgeons. 

[LissaB]

I am in Toronto.  My Neurologist sent me to 1 of the surgeons and my sister has a contact at another hospital who got me in with the 2nd surgeon.

I read an article about 2 test patients who experienced cluster headaches that stopped once they had their aneurysm fixed. I was hoping to find someone here with that experience. 

[Freud]

My neuro told me the same thing before they scanned me. I have heard of people that surgery has helpped. 

[spiny]

I will say yes. We had one member, a college student who lived in Canada. It took months to get the scan, more months before surgery, and PF post surgery. I haven,t heard from him in several years now.

[xxx]

LissaB,

You might want to consider vitamin C as a hedge while you ponder surgical options...

http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n20.shtml

Linus Pauling took 18 grams of vitamin C a day... lived to 93.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=7kGo0DfxQss

Vitamin D3 and the vitamin D3 cofactors can also be helpful... and healthy.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

[Racer1_NC]

Depending on the location of the aneurysm a pipeline stint could be used. A small cut in the groin area beats brain surgery. Ask your doctor's opinion.

[LissaB]

Both are located in the Carotid Artery behind my left eye. The 2 options presented to me were "clipping" and "coiling".  Both surgeons suggested coiling. this is done through the groin area with a catheter. Clipping involves removing a portion of the skull, this is usually the go-to after it is burst.

[Racer1_NC]

If they can coil it, a pipeline could be a 3rd option. No doc here but we were faced with the choices when my wife was diagnosed a few years ago.