I was in the hospital all weekend from saturday till late monday afternoon. I went to my nuerologist and there are signs of my MM progressing to my right hemishphere more specifically the a-1 segment artery of my brain wich is the artery that controls your left side. My left side as felt weak and I know now its cause of my MM. Has anyone else got weak because of the arterys that have been affected by the MM?

My husband's narrowing is in the M1&M2 sections of the left side - he has had angioplasty twice to open the arteries - the artery closed almost completely back up after the first angioplasty - his symptoms have always been tightening in this face and jaw - his right arm and fingers tingle and are not 100% - just a little weaker than supposed to be.  Prior to his angioplasty, he had TIA's that included speach lapses, arm numbness (not completely).  We anticipate that the artery is closing again since he has had the weakness in his arm and hand.  We go back next week for followup.

Yes I have recently talked to another surgeon and he has told me that surgery is going to have to happen.. I have done an angio wich my nuerologist has said by the written report a artery has been blocked off that controls the blood flow to my legs... and it has blocked off another artery and all that good stuff... I have also done a spect scan but i wont know the results of those till this friday when i go see my surgeon...

thank you for the support !! I do hope I dont have to wait long for surgery too as that can be a real drag !! I will be shure to post as soon as i get home from my surgeons visit on friday !!!

Well I talk to my surgeon recently on friday.. Surgery isnt going to happen atleast for a while because on my right side I am still getting a really good amount of blood flow so surgery right now isnt necessary... ABout my left side unfortunatly the bypass that was done failed and the surgery didnt work... what ever syptoms i have because of the failed surgery I am forced to live with do to the small blood flow to the left....I have to hope my blood pressure stays a little high so more blood will get to the left side so i get just enough blood flow to the left side.... so I got some good news and some bad news but thats what happens you take the good with the bad... thanks for all the support and i will be shure to post any changes with me or any thing that happens

Brad,

As someone who's surgery also "failed", I want to tell you that you really should be sending your films to a different  surgeon, one with MM experience.  It is absolute bologna that you "are forced to live with the small blood flow" on your left side.  I can't remember what type of surgery you initially had but I had the STA-MCA, which failed, but a couple of months ago they tried again with the indirect surgery AND another direct surgery using my occipital artery (as they couldn't do another superficial temporal artery of course).  Please, all you have to do is send your films to Dr. Steinberg at Stanford for a second opinion (or someone else!)- it's free!  Do not just accept that you just have to live with a failed attempt because that is not necessarily true- I'm living proof!  I can understand, because of monetary concerns, that you may not be able to go out of state for the surgery but, at the very least, by getting a second opinion, you will be steered in the right direction and , most importantly, given HOPE for a healthier future!

As for your right side- if MM has progressed to it, I don't understand why they aren't suggesting surgery either.  If you have MM on that side, your blood flow must be compromised in some way.  Yes, there are degrees of occlusion but , as you know, MM is a progressive disease so why wait until you have a stroke (or worse)? 

I hate to sound like a broken record but this all just doesn't sound right.  Please send your films for a second opinion.  One thing that many of us here have learned is that you can't put all your faith in what one doctor says.  We, as MM sufferers, must go the extra mile in order to get the proper care for this disease.

If I can be of any help in getting through all the red tape or getting a second opinion with a more MM specialized surgeon, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Lisa

Brad,
I cannot offer any adive that these fantastic ladies have not already offered.  Instead, I just want to let you know that you are in my thoughts and close to my heart.  Stay strong, hopeful and proactive!
Take care, Stephanie ;

I still think you should still send films to Dr. Steinberg he has been able to do a succesful surgery when several Doc have said no, Don't settle.
                                  Nancy

LOL, Stephanie ;

LynnPat,

Thank you for explaining Brad's left side situation. We can understand what you’re saying, but what we’re trying to say is… there are several DIFFERENT indirect procedures that a MM specialist could use to induce new blood vessel growth, and numerous technical considerations in those many surgical techniques. That’s where Dr. Steinberg, an EXPERT, comes in. That’s all we’re saying. It sounds as though you are speaking of only one technique that was used in Brad’s case. Lisa is saying, with a specialist, they may know of an option to save Brad's risk of a stroke, as it was in her case. She was relentless, and sought many opinions from good neurosurgeons, but to be blunt, they said, sorry, you have no artery to use, so go home and wait to stroke and die, yet there WAS an option.  I've seen cases where Dr. Steinberg used any source that was made available, to attract new blood vessels. It's been done.

We are not doctors, and we don’t know Brad’s specifics, but we DO know that there are several procedures or combinations of procedures that may be tried, and we’re urging you to seek someone who we believe may have an answer, thats' all... rather than to leave it as Brad stated, there isnt much that can be done for the left.

We only have his best interest at heart, as you do, and want him to have every option considered before we give up.



Mar

Thank You MAR!!!!!

You always seem to to get me thinking. I am going to send the film to Dr Stienburg to see what he says. We havent given up the fight. But reading eveyones post makes you want to fight harder. So Thank you for that.  I will keep everyone posted on the out come

Lynne

Hello,
Keep up with journey, it seems that you get answers,but all Drs. have their opinion. I've learned that. Go beyond and get more opions.  I think there's alot of DR. Steinberg's work invested in MM friends. He's a specialist and well respected. It definately could change Brad's path for the better. It is well worth it. I hope Brad , you and your family the best. Please tell Brad to take it day by day the sun does shine, the rain does fall, the seasons change and we continue on.
He has alot of supporters who know the real deal we all have been there in some way or another.  Good Luck!!!
  Your MM friend Lena

I just wanted to say thankyou so much for everyones hope and prays that have been giving me. The over whelming response of support means alot especially at someone my age of 19 when and because with MM and the surgery prevents me from doing alot of the normal things a normal 19 year old can do... Thankyou so much for the support and Me and my family will continue to fight and when my films are sent to Dr. Steinber I will be shire to tell everyone what he says!!!