Hi, I'm new here and although there's another LindaZ already registered here, I'm a different Linda Z. I have an 8mm fusiform aneurysm on the left central cerebral artery. I'm 42 years old, have life long migraines and I've been told that a pipeline stent (or 2 or 3) is the only real option for treatment.
I'm considering travel several states away for treatment as my Interventional Radiologist has placed 10 pipeline stents - but none in the artery where I have my aneurysm - my situation is further complicated by the fact that the artery leading up to, and away from my aneurysm is dilated abnormally which may complicate stent placement.

If anyone has had this procedure and would be willing to give me an idea of the difficulties of treatment out of state I would appreciate it. I will not have anyone who can go with me as my husband has just started a new job, which he needs, and my children are too young - they are in Highschool. Of course if something goes badly transport back home may be a moot issue, but if things go well I'm not sure if I'd have to stay to recovery for a long period of time or if I would be able to travel by car back home. Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Linda Z
I had a 7 mm cerebral aneurysm repaired by coils and stent by an interventional neurologist. I considered this doctor to have saved my life, he is a neurologist as well as interventional specializing in thease things. I actually knows of another woman that travelled many states to come and have this same procedure done by him.
My aneurysm was just noticed and diagnosed due to that I had headaches, and visual problems, had MRI, and there it was.
I was referred to this doctor, and had the procedure done within 2 - 3 weeks.
The procedure took about 2 1/2 hours, and went fine. I can remember bits of it. I was heavyly sedated, but not under anastesia. That is because during the procedure the doctor has to comunicate with the patient at certain intervals. to hold the breath etc.
I stayed in neuro intensive care unit in the until the fallowing day, and was discharged.
One has to be under care of a family member or other for that day.
After this procedure, doctor usually prescribe double antiplatelet treat ment wwith Aspirin and Plavix for a few months, then only Aspirin.
After 6 months, you have to go back and have a Cerebral Angiogram to check on the stent. Sometimes the doctor wait with this until 12 months, or do both, as it was in my case. This was due to the fact that I had 2 episodes of TIA and one with a small stroke, due to small cloths forming in the stent. So that is one of the risks of this procedure, both during and after. It is amazing how doctors can do this.
But, I will say, it is very important to have this aneurysm fixed. Leaving it untreated, can cause rupture at some point, and that becomes very dangerous and risky, with an often poor outcome.

I hope this information was of help to you. This was my experience.

It is now 2 years since I had the procedure, I am still on Plavix, now only 3 times a week. I did not have any majore effects from that small stroke I had.
I feel that it was a miracle that my eyedoctor ordered MRI so that aneurysm was found, and I had it repaired. another miracle was that when that little stroke came on, I came through OK. I was employed and working, had a few weeks leave from work before I returned. and I continued for 1 year. But I have had other health issues in last year, so I now have retired.

Good luck. If you will, reply on this, I do not know if I can mention this doctors name on this forum I would recomend him. I know of 2 other woman that this doctor is monitoring their cerebran aneurysms. But their's are smaller. I think the guide line is that the seize over 6 mm should be fixed.
Synnove

HI Linda Z

It is me again, with another thought since you asked.: If all goes well with the procedure, you should be physically able to take care of yourself the next day after discharged from the hospital But I would say, have a friend come with you. Stay in a local hotell for a few days, and do not drive that long distance yourself and alone right after.

You could call the the treating facility ahead of time and ask for pre procedure instructions,
The first day, and possibly days after, you might have head ache( I had.)

Anyone out there have any complications rolling pipeline stent placement to treat aneurysms? Or delayed complications that occurred 4-5 weeks following the placement?

Yes, I had quite a few complications but they weren't in my head. My stent was placed through my groin artery and I had 6 hours of bleeding into my abdomen as well as a terrible headache that caused vomiting. It took weeks to recover from those complications, but I'm several years post procedure and am fine. Fixed my head though! My Dr repeatedly told me it was a quick recovery and I would say that's the general consensus but it was absolutely not true for me. I was noise and light sensitive and had headaches for weeks after. However, it worked.