Anyone have experience with an abdominal aortic aneurism

[SilentKnight]

Just wondering if anyone has had a personal experience with the condition.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Seth Manson]

The lead singer from Type-O Negative had an experience with it.

[SmutHammer]

what size is your aneurysm? What are you wanting to know?

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

what size is your aneurysm? What are you wanting to know?

Not mine - a family member.

The aneurism is at 4.5cms. But the doctor told him to come back in a year for re-testing to see if it was growing.

When I heard the news - the first thing that came to mind was "a year?!" Seems like a very long time between testing. Should it be more frequent?

I'm wondering what the risks are with corrective surgery.

And any other helpful info from a first-person perspective or experience would be greatly appreciated.

[johnnyloadproductions]

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is what killed Albert Einstein.

[iwantchixx]

I don't have any personal experience. I know, that's what you were hoping for, but it's a rare thing so might not find any here with it. Have you checked out any forums on the topic to read any first-hand experiences?

It's very treatable, though pretty invasive surgery to undertake depending on how big it gets and where it's located exactly (don't youtube it, whatever you do!)

I, too, find that 1 year wait for any type of aneurism to be absurd. A good family friend of mine had a brain aneurism pop on her, was not a pleasant experience. She's perfectly fine now though and miraculously, her life-long migraines are now gone.

4.5cms seems kinda big...

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by iwantchixx

I don't have any personal experience. I know, that's what you were hoping for, but it's a rare thing so might not find any here with it. Have you checked out any forums on the topic to read any first-hand experiences?

It's very treatable, though pretty invasive surgery to undertake depending on how big it gets and where it's located exactly (don't youtube it, whatever you do!)

I, too, find that 1 year wait for any type of aneurism to be absurd. A good family friend of mine had a brain aneurism pop on her, was not a pleasant experience. She's perfectly fine now though and miraculously, her life-long migraines are now gone.

4.5cms seems kinda big...

I just got news of the condition last night - so haven't checked out any forums (yet)...but that'll be my next move. So far all I've checked out is wikipedia - but didn't get much optimism from what I've read.

4.5cms is considered a big aneurism - but according to wikipedia 5-5.5cms becomes the point at which corrective surgery is considered less risky than no surgery. The difference of only 1cm seems damn small to me - which is why it puzzles me about the 1 year timeframe before the next check-up.

'preciate the comments and input.

[_Richard_]

all the best man

'a year' is weird to me as well, id do the second/third opinion thing, and frankly would probably force the issue at 6 months to get an idea on the growth.

[bronco67]

I'm sure a doctor has experience with it. Just the name alone strikes fear into me.

[CDSmith]

Best get a second opinion, preferably from a specialist on that particular condition. If the doctor your family member already saw IS a specialist, see another one.

No direct personal experience here, but in my years working on CVT (Cardio-Vascular Thorasic Unit) I had a few occasions to take care of abdominal aneurysm cases, both pre and post surgery. Every case is different of course but it's a serious thing, and like many things if it's caught and dealt with early it can very often be a much lighter ordeal than some might think. These days even quad bypass and valve replacement surgerical patients are in and out in a matter of days, not weeks. The technologies and procedures they have now are quite incredible really.

Seriously, if there was ever a time when you'd want a second opinion it's now, for this. Waiting a year on a ticking time bomb doesn't sound like much fun, but if two different docs say that's the best way to proceed then it's probably the right call.

[Relentless]

Doctors do not order... They suggest.

He suggested you come back in a year.
Get a 2nd opinion and go back in 3 months

If he asks why you didn't wait a year, tell him you will be back then too. ;)

Good luck with it.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

all the best man

'a year' is weird to me as well, id do the second/third opinion thing, and frankly would probably force the issue at 6 months to get an idea on the growth.

I quite agree. I'll definitely be suggesting he follow up with a second/third opinion and in a much shorter timeframe.

Originally Posted by bronco67

I'm sure a doctor has experience with it. Just the name alone strikes fear into me.

In my experience, doctors can vary widely in proficiency. But yeah, when I heard about it last night I felt a cold chill go through me. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the condition...especially given that it's often hereditary and can be aggravated by smoking (I quit last December...but smoked 35 yrs).

Originally Posted by CDSmith

Best get a second opinion, preferably from a specialist on that particular condition. If the doctor your family member already saw IS a specialist, see another one.

No direct personal experience here, but in my years working on CVT (Cardio-Vascular Thorasic Unit) I had a few occasions to take care of abdominal aneurysm cases, both pre and post surgery. Every case is different of course but it's a serious thing, and like many things if it's caught and dealt with early it can very often be a much lighter ordeal than some might think. These days even quad bypass and valve replacement surgerical patients are in and out in a matter of days, not weeks. The technologies and procedures they have now are quite incredible really.

Seriously, if there was ever a time when you'd want a second opinion it's now, for this. Waiting a year on a ticking time bomb doesn't sound like much fun, but if two different docs say that's the best way to proceed then it's probably the right call.

Wise advice, CD - much along the lines of what I'm also thinking.

Originally Posted by Relentless

Doctors do not order... They suggest.

He suggested you come back in a year.
Get a 2nd opinion and go back in 3 months

If he asks why you didn't wait a year, tell him you will be back then too. ;)

Good luck with it.

Thanks, good advice - hopefully luck won't be a factor.

[Barry-xlovecam]

Was the diagnosis by a board certified vascular surgeon of repute?

My experiences are with stenosis and not anurisms.

What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?

An abdominal aortic aneurysm, also called AAA or triple A, is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) resulting in an abnormal widening or ballooning greater than 50 percent of the vessel's normal diameter (width).

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healt...air_92,P08291/

So, the bulge size that is of critical level would depend on the diameter of the abdominal aorta of that individual. There is no "set" measurement ...

If that doctor ( hopefully a vascular specialist) didn't explain that to you then I would get a second opinion. 4.5 cm sounds scary as hell.

My vascular surgeon has told me you better let me operate you are at the 90% stenosis (blockage) level .. Like call my surgical nurse to schedule it ASAP.

A burst (dissected) aortic aneurysm emergency surgery is very risky.

Read this: http://www.uchospitals.edu/online-li...content=P08247

Better to get it taken care of surgically -- just a matter of time -- it's not going to cure itself -- doesn't sound like a stent job to my lay opinion ...

Not medical advice: for information purposes only.

[chaze]

Originally Posted by Seth Manson

The lead singer from Type-O Negative had an experience with it.

Awesome band!

No, sound uncomfortable.

Try eating oatmeal for bfast and some green tea twice a day.

[SmutHammer]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Not mine - a family member.

The aneurism is at 4.5cms. But the doctor told him to come back in a year for re-testing to see if it was growing.

When I heard the news - the first thing that came to mind was "a year?!" Seems like a very long time between testing. Should it be more frequent?

I'm wondering what the risks are with corrective surgery.

And any other helpful info from a first-person perspective or experience would be greatly appreciated.

I have not read what everyone else here has said, scanned over some.

4.5 is very small for the area it is at, almost to the point where you wouldn't even worry about it. when it gets above 7.0 is when you should start looking into surgery. being that it is only 4.5 I don't think a year sounds bad. Just make sure your family member gets their blood pressure under control and may want to stay away from doing anything really strenuous. as far as the risks your chances are very good with having the surgery done. If it ruptures you have about a 90%+ chance of dying. but again 4.5 is very small and you shouldn't worry to much.

[SmutHammer]

I have another question. What type of scan did they do to find the aneurysm? Like I said 1 year doesn't sound uncommon but then again if it was me, I'd get a second opinion and make sure to have a ct scan for accuracy.

Also, every one keeps saying 4.5 sounds big, that is because the types of aneurysms they are used to hearing about are in other much smaller area's

[Mutt]

I'd go to the Cleveland Clinic for an assessment, world renowned heart institute/clinic. They'll probably agree with your relative's doctor's opinion but it will make the relative and family feel better about the situation.

Einstein did die of an aortic aneurysm in his stomach at I think 75. Weird, he refused surgery, chose to die. Maybe in those days the surgery had little chance of success.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

I have another question. What type of scan did they do to find the aneurysm? Like I said 1 year doesn't sound uncommon but then again if it was me, I'd get a second opinion and make sure to have a ct scan for accuracy.

Also, every one keeps saying 4.5 sounds big, that is because the types of aneurysms they are used to hearing about are in other much smaller area's

It was found during an ultrasound.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

Was the diagnosis by a board certified vascular surgeon of repute?

My experiences are with stenosis and not anurisms.



So, the bulge size that is of critical level would depend on the diameter of the abdominal aorta of that individual. There is no "set" measurement ...

If that doctor ( hopefully a vascular specialist) didn't explain that to you then I would get a second opinion. 4.5 cm sounds scary as hell.

My vascular surgeon has told me you better let me operate you are at the 90% stenosis (blockage) level .. Like call my surgical nurse to schedule it ASAP.

A burst (dissected) aortic aneurysm emergency surgery is very risky.

Read this: http://www.uchospitals.edu/online-li...content=P08247

Better to get it taken care of surgically -- just a matter of time -- it's not going to cure itself -- doesn't sound like a stent job to my lay opinion ...

Not medical advice: for information purposes only.

Thanks for the info. I'm checking out the link.

As I said, I just found out about this last night - so I'm still somewhat reeling over the news and trying to find out as much as I can in a short time. Trying to keep my apprehension in check...but not doing a good job of it.

Thanks Barry (and to everyone that's offered helpful advice in the thread so far).

[Seth Manson]

Not many people get them treated, because not many people even know they have it until it ruptures. And unfortunately, that's the end of most of them.

If I had one, I'm not even sure if I'd like to know about it.

I guess I would absolutely avoid doing anything that raises blood pressure or activities that could cause it to tear.

[candyflip]

A year between is probably because you're in Canada. If you were here in the states they're be checking you once a month and billing the insurance company as much as possible for each visit.

[Barry-xlovecam]

This seems pretty informative:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1861012/

You definitely want a CT or MRI to determine a more exact size.

[SmutHammer]

Originally Posted by candyflip

A year between is probably because you're in Canada. If you were here in the states they're be checking you once a month and billing the insurance company as much as possible for each visit.

No actually here in America they would not check it once a month. And as I said before 4.5 is very small. insurance companies only let you and doctors do so much, It's sad how much things have changed in the last few years. Thanks to how the government has changed our healthcare system you can not even do many necessary tests anymore. Insurance companies don't have to and will not pay for them. They have also been going after many doctors claiming fraud for surgeries that have to go by the doctors best judgment. Because of that Surgeons will likely try their best to avoid operating.

Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam

You definitely want a CT or MRI to determine a more exact size.

[Theo]

definitely have him go earlier

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by AVN Theo

definitely have him go earlier

Agreed.

I'll make every effort to convince him into going for follow-ups much sooner. We haven't had the chance to sit down and talk it all over yet - that'll be this weekend.

Until then, I'm reading everything I can about it to try and be at least a bit knowledgeable about it. The more I know...hopefully the more convincing I can be about the concerns and how we should proceed.

[iwantchixx]

Originally Posted by Ed Hammer

I have another question. What type of scan did they do to find the aneurysm? Like I said 1 year doesn't sound uncommon but then again if it was me, I'd get a second opinion and make sure to have a ct scan for accuracy.

Also, every one keeps saying 4.5 sounds big, that is because the types of aneurysms they are used to hearing about are in other much smaller area's

Well, that's good news then. Yeah, 4.5 just "sounds bad" to anyone unfamiliar with it I guess

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

I quite agree. I'll definitely be suggesting he follow up with a second/third opinion and in a much shorter timeframe.

yarr.. if you're concerned with the hereditary thing, what harm is there going to your own doctor and finding out what you can do 'proactively'?

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

yarr.. if you're concerned with the hereditary thing, what harm is there going to your own doctor and finding out what you can do 'proactively'?

I'd be too afraid to hear that I have to cut out all my favorite vices.

Naw, but seriously...it's definitely gonna be a wake up call, that's for sure.