Unruptured aneurysms often have no symptoms and are discovered by chance during scans for other reasons. However, some people may experience:

• Severe headaches that feel different from normal headaches
• Pain above or behind the eye
• Changes in vision or double vision
• Numbness or weakness on one side of the face

Ruptured aneurysms cause sudden, severe symptoms that need emergency care:

• The worst headache of your life (often described as a "thunderclap" headache)
• Sudden nausea and vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness in arms or legs

Emergency Signs - Call 000 Immediately: If you experience any of these sudden, severe symptoms, this could be a ruptured aneurysm - a medical emergency:

• The worst headache of your life (sudden and severe)
• Headache with stiff neck and sensitivity to light
• Sudden nausea and vomiting with severe headache
• Sudden confusion or loss of consciousness
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body
• Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Seizures

Warning Signs - See Your Doctor Promptly: These symptoms could indicate an unruptured aneurysm and should be checked:

• Persistent, unusual headaches that feel different from your normal headaches
• Pain above or behind one eye
• Changes in vision or double vision
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your face
• Drooping eyelid

Important to Remember:

• Many brain aneurysms cause no symptoms at all
• Having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have an aneurysm
• Only a medical professional can properly diagnose a brain aneurysm
• Never ignore sudden, severe symptoms - always seek immediate medical help

Your doctor will explain the results and what they mean for you.

IMPORTANT FOR ALL PATIENTS.

If you are on any blood thinning medications such as anti-platelet, anti-coagulant or anti-inflammatory medications, they should be stopped one week prior to any surgery. Examples of these medications include plavix, co-plavix, prasugrel, ticagrelor, asasantin, aspirin, disprin, solprin, astrix, cartia, warfarin, pradaxa, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, clexane, heparin, celebrex, mobic, naproxen, indomethacin, diclofenac, ibuprofen.

Some diabetes medications need to be stopped up to three weeks prior to surgery. Please discuss with your doctor if you are taking one of these medications.

Similarly, any herbal or natural remedies including (but not limited to) traditional Chinese herbal remedies and prescriptions, naturopathic and homeopathic treatments, and supplements (such as glucosamine, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, turmeric and fish oil) should be stopped one week prior to any surgery.

If these medications are not stopped, then your surgery may need to be delayed and rescheduled for reasons of safety. If you are unsure about whether you need to stop any of your medications, please ask your doctor.

Depending on your general fitness and your medical co-morbidities, you may require an assessment by physician specialists and an anaesthetist to assess your safety for surgery, before a decision can be made about your suitability for surgery.

Prior to any surgery, you will need to fast. On the night prior to surgery, your last mouthful of food should be prior to 12 midnight. On the day of surgery, you can sip clear water up until 4 hours prior to your surgery. You may use this opportunity to take medications that your doctor is happy for you to take. Please check with your doctor, what you should do with your medications and write those instructions here.

A member of staff from the hospital or the surgeon’s rooms will contact you up to three days prior to your admission and discuss this with you. They will also discuss your hospital paperwork if this has not been done. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your upcoming admission.