I’m one of those lucky ones that found Dr. George Teitelbaum at USC who put coils in my brain when I was diagnosed with the aneurysm. I’ve had 3 of these procedures, the last one also included putting a stent in my brain. Thank God for the new & miraculous methods of today’s medicine & the great doctors who perform these surgeries. Altho I had 3rd nerve palsey in my right eye, having to wear an eye patch is a lot better than the alternative……
Right now, Dr. Teitelbaum is in the hospital at USC having undergone an open heart surgery. I wish him God’s speed & love forever…….sondra metzger

Before making a recommendation for public screening we need evidence that any such screening program will be effective. To date there is no such evidence for MRA’s. It should be made clear to readers that screening programs can often have unintended consequences. False positive results can lead to further and possibly unnecessary invassive tests. False negative results can creat a false sense of security that may lead to risky behavior. And then there’s the cost. We don’t have unlimited resources, and every dollar spent on one medical procedure is a dollar that we don’t have to spend on something else that may be proven to do more good.

Suggesting screening tests to the public is not something to be done lightly and for the moment MRA screening is not ready for prime time.

Thank you for making a stand for people with brain aneurysms. If one life is saved, it will make a difference. Consider Mr. Biden. Had his aneursyms bursted, his entire life and possibly the history of this country may be different. Almost every time I hear those two words (brain and aneurysm) it is because someone has died as a result of a ruptured one. Most would say that knowledge is power. In this case, knowledge is LIFE! I feel very fortunate that I have survived the subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages due to my rupture. Had it not been for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, I would have been completely lost on what to expect in the healing process. And had it not been for Dr. James Jaffe being willing to perform the coiling procedure, I would have had to endure a much longer healing process and dangerous surgical procedure. Thanks again, Matt.

On New Years day of 2000 I had a brain aneurysm. It felt like twenty hammers had hit me in my head. I was at New Year eve service at church. My doctor took me into a side room and and examined me and told me all my vital signs were fine. I was still hurting but I had the reassurance from my doctor I was okay. My pastor prayer for me.
After the service in the foyer, a young brother who was a firemen came up to me and begged me to go to the hospital. I assured him that if it didn’t get any better the next day, I would.

I went home with some church friends, I vomited and took some Advil, thinking I would sleep it off. I never went to sleep. The next morning I had my friends drop me off on campus. I was a graduate student working on two master degrees at age fifty-one.

I lived in student housing. My neighbor was a nursing major. I told her I had a headache, I couldn’t shake and to check on me. She gave me a ice pack to put on my head which worsened it. The Holy Spirit let me know it was more than just a headache. I called 911. It was in January and the steps were covered with ice, so they had me walk down the steps. I started having problems breathing and kept asking for more oxygen.

My did not rupture but had started bleeding and a little swelling. After two days, I had surgery and have a clip.

Hi! After a car accident and taken to Saint Francis Hospital I was given an MRA and found a huge Aneurysm in my brain and advise me to see a neurologist, I went to Houston Tx and saw Dr. Rose and he found that my aneurysm was so big that he had to “saw my head open” he was right and could not remove it because all the blood veins attached to it, so he tied it up and I still have it in my brain, I sometimes get dissy spells if I move my head too quickly. Should I be examine for a metal coil, I sometimes get strange head aches on the left side in the back of my head and sometimes on the right side. Thank you so much, Huguette

My father had a brain aneurysm in 1981. He presented to the emergency department with onset of severe headache and neck pain. The resident diagnosed muscle spasms of the neck and sent him home on muscle relaxants.

I still remember him wearing a heating pad on his head because of the severe pain. My mother insisted he go back to the hospital because she knew something was wrong.

She took him back to the emergency department and further tests revealed an aneurysm. It was leaking, but had not ruptured. He was in the ICU for a week before the surgery.

Lucky for him he was able to get it clipped and had no residual side effects. He got 25 more years of life.

My son (now 17) was diagnosed at age 4 with numerous AVM’s in the dura of the brain. He has had 14 surgeries to place approximately 200 coils in his brain. He has also had 3 craniotomies. He has been symtom free for about 5 years now. Thank God!!!

My mother died of a burst aneurysm at the age of 49. She was a life-long chain smoker, which the doctors believe may have contributed to her condition.

Unfortunately, rather than go the ER when her headache got severe, she went to the chiroprator, who “adjusted” her and sent her home, even though she had the classic symptoms of a leaking aneurysm. By the time my father called 911 and got her to the emergency room, it was too late.

My Aunt survived an aneurysm–her symptoms are as others have described–the worst headache ever, severe sensitivity to sound and nausea. What she kept saying to the Emergency docs was that she could hear ‘dripping’ in her head…the seepage was apparently leaking in the area of her inner ear…

She was saved, and we’re so glad that she still looks GREAT in that ultra short hairdo–a reminder of her hospital haircut!

As a stroke program coordinator I’d like to stress that the onset
of sudden severe headache with no known cause is a hallmark sign for a bleed in the brain.A bleed in the brain is a stroke and not just a clot blocking a blood vessel.
There are other stroke signs and symptoms that the public needs to be aware. These include: Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble walking,dizziness,loss of balance or coordination. “Time is brain” call 911 immediately to get the appropriate care at a hospital or stroke center.

2 1/2 years ago I began experiencing headaches (I rarely get them) and they became more severe. Went to the doctor; had a CAT, saw an ENT, then a neurologist and had an MRI. The neurologist wanted to see me in 2 weeks if the headaches continued. Did not make it back as my aneurysm ruptured.
I am one of the lucky ones. The great EMTs; Life Flight and the incredible team at UPMC Presby in Pittsburgh saved my life. On the outside I look as I used to but not inside. I have damage to optic nerve; take Keppra 2x a day for siezures and am very slow. It has totally changed my life. I am adapting and have had wonderful support.
I now treasure every day. Even my nuerosurgeons call me their miracle! I received a second chance! See your Doctors ASAP if you have unusual and persistant symptoms.

I also was blessed to have been referred to Dr. Teitelbaum after I was taken to the ER with a partial ruptured cerebral aneurysm. I was told at the hospital that I had an inoperable aneurysm because it was located at the brain stem in a cavernous cave. They soon reassured me that there was a relatively new procedure (this was in 1998) called angio-coil emboliization and a Dr. at USC University hospital who performed this procedure. The hospital I was at was only 15 miles away, it was SUCH a blessing. I was only 24 therefore before this experience I did believe I was invincible. 3 years ago they found a second aneurysm that was not there before….very rare but somehow I am developing new aneurysms. Dr. Gianotta at USC University Hospital clipped the new one in 2007, although recovery was more difficult, I did not suffer any lasting side effects. USC Neurosurgery is an amazing collaboration of some of the best neuro surgeons in the world…..I will always be grateful for the life that I have…..by the grace of God and the skillfull minds/hands of both those doctors.