Internal carotid artery aneurysm

Hello, @lizang, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine it would feel worrisome to see half of your face go numb and experience the headaches you mentioned. I am glad to hear you have a diagnosis and now know the cause of those symptoms.

If you click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, you can see the whole discussion on this topic, "Internal carotid artery aneurysm," and scroll through past messages. I'd also like to invite @5posies @perion @tanyabray41 @roch to return and offer their insights and any tips for you on your ICA aneurysm diagnosis. I'd also like you to meet @hopeful33250, who may also have some thoughts .

I am sure you may have many questions, having this brand new diagnosis, @lizang. Do you have a top question for others in this discussion who've experienced this type of aneurysm?

Back in the spring while in my yard my entire left side of my face went numb and I thought I might be having a stroke. Nobody was around to see if I had any other symptoms (drooping face, slurred speech, etc.) and it passed in a minute or two and I went about my business. It wasn't until I had my calcium score done and scored 1014 and diagnosed with advanced coronary artery disease and had a carotid scan showing bilateral blockages up to 39% that I thought about it again. I assumed then that it was a TIA but my cardiologist wants me to go to a neurologist. I didn't realize that there could be other reasons for this symptom.

@lisalucier thanks, I know that my grandmother and her sister died in their 40's of a brain aneurysm. So you can see how frighten I am. I would be very active woman and I am always on the go...My job which I love can be very challenging and stressful so it was recommended that I would take some sick leave. I am in college too it's not as stressful as yet. I haven't been talking to the neurosurgeon yet as I am on a waiting list to see him. Basically my family doctor is pleased for me to rest up until I talk with the neurosurgeon. I need this gone from my head as I need to go back doing the things I used to. I am afraid to put any pressure on my brain. For instance last Friday evening I got a puncture (I trained as a mechanic) I was afraid to change the wheel incase my aneurysm bursted. I had to wait in for nearly a hour before help came. I would off sorted it out before I found out about having my unwanted neighbour in my brain.

I was hit on the left side of my head by a pipe swung by a thug who attacked me and the MRA received from hospital that next day showed a ICA aneurysm of 2mm in the left internal carotid artery. That was 12/29/2010. I was told by the doctor at that hospital in Charlotte NC that it was inoperable due to the shape. I have lived in fear these past years and last week 3/10/2019 a MRA shows the ICAA is now 3mm.
I have been expericing some sharp pains in my head over and behind my left ear. I live in 2 hours south of Jacksonville Fl. I have a consultation scheduled for this week at the Mayo in Jacksonville and am hoping and praying that there are new techniques now that will offer hope.

I found an interesting video of a doctor talking about his research with the effects of estrogen levels for women and the development of aneurysms. At about the 8 minute mark, he discusses a study with mice where they facilitated aneurysm development and studied the effects of female hormone replacement. His conclusions suggest estrogen levels may be related to changes in connective tissues that affect the remodeling of the arteries, and that during menopause as estrogen declines, that might increase the risk for aneurysms. He suggests hormone replacement may be beneficial during peri-menopause as possible prevention. Here is the link https://www.neurosurgicalatlas.com/patient-resource-center/estrogen-and-brain-aneurysms

I also was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - "originating from the left internal carotid artery just distal to the left ophthalmic origin. The aneurysm projects superiorly and slightly medially. The overall length of the aneurysm is approximately 5 mm, and the maximum transverse dimension is also on the order of 5 mm largely because of the curvilinear shape. The neck is on the order of 2.5 mm...also a "vascular infundibulum" and "Dolichoectasia is noted involving the anterior and posterior circulations."
The dr. was running 2hrs behind, which was unusual for Mayo, (he had an emergency surgery). The appt was very brief, we didn't even review the CT pics, but another CT scan scheduled in 3mths. (I have 4-5 other aneurysms and tortuous artery areas, Connective Tissue Disease which causes the middle wall of arteries to relax, loose the collagen, elasticity and hopefully not burst.. Mom died of aortic aneurysm at 66, I'm 62, which I also have that is being monitored, all of this discovered in the last 4 months.) I was NOT told to take an aspirin a day; the only instruction was to not lift over 20lbs and no more running. (Have read not to fly, not sure if it is safe, or yoga or hiking for that matter...) I have always had headaches but now a monthly injection, Emgality, has helped the migraines. Nice to meet this group, sorry it had to be under these circumstances! I understand how the "constant thought of aneurysm" is fearful. I'd like to have the questions prepared also for my next appt. Thank you so much for your comments. Enjoy your weekend!!!

Hi, @GratefulEveryDay - thanks for sharing some of your story with your diagnosis of a brain aneurysm.

You mentioned wanting to have questions prepared also for your next appt. Though this is a doctor you've already seen, this discussion, "Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist," https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist may have some useful information and ideas for that visit.

You also talked about how you understand the "constant thought of aneurysm" is fearful. How have you dealt with that type of fear, @GratefulEveryDay?