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AAA diagnosis Feb 2017 at the age of 56

Posted , 6 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Good Morning 

I was diagnosed with an AAA Feb 2017 at the age of 56, a bit scary i have to say, i would like to talk with others who have a similar diagnosis preferably as close to my home city of Bath, to compare experiences and any advice IE talking exercise losing weight and getting fitter.

I look forward to your responses.

Many thanks Andy

Bath

Somerset

England

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • derek76
    derek76 Guest

    Posted

    How big is your AAA. Mostly they grow very slowly. Mine was 3.1cm when noticed in 2004. It is now 4.3cm and still regarded as small.

    Keep BP under control and never let a doctor prescribe Cipro or Quinolone type antibiotics, Exercise is no problem and many people work out at the Gym and some still lift weights..  

    Be careful reading this Forum as here AAA is abdominal but to Americans it is ascending aortic aneurysm

    How was yours discovered as you are not yet old enough for the national screening programme.

     

    • Guest
      Guest derek76

      Posted

      Hi Derek

      Thanks for getting in touch, mine is currently 4cms due another scan in September and was discovered as i mentioned in Feb 2017 during a scan for something completely unrelated, i had some pain under my ribs so was referred for a scan where they discovered i had Gaul sludge and a cyst on my liver, they did not seem so concerned about this once the Aneurysm had been spotted, from the scan my doctor phoned me the next day and i was in front of my now vascular surgeon within a few days who then explained what it was and that he was putting me into a regular program of scans to keep and eye on its growth pattern etc.

      Its all been a bit scary to be honest especially as i had emergency surgery to repair a burst blood vessel in my head in 2013, but they felt this was unrelated, so for my part i have dropped quite a lot of weight through regular exercise mainly walking and a little running and changing to a plant based vegan diet, and going t total the change in lifestyle has been very rewarding in the loss of weight and just felling better in myself. 

      The weight loss has left me with a little lose skin which i was thinking about trying to tone up by perhaps joining a gym lifting a few weights, but trying to get a definitive as too i how much i can life etc  from my, Dr or Specialist has been a little vague, i even approached a personal trainer locally for advice but he said he could not help as he said resistance and weight training would not be a good idea with my diagnosis, so i am a bit stuck trying to get advice on this has not been easy so thought i would try this forum to see if anyone had similar experiences and could possibly advise me.

      If i can find a route to using weights etc i was thinking about possibly becoming a personal trainer / plant based nutritionist as i feel i could help others lose weight get fitter etc.

      What age were you when yours was discovered ? are you any where near me here in Bath ? perhaps we could have a chat on the phone sometime ? it would be nice to have some proper contact with others with an ( Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ) AAA.

      Best regards Andrew 

  • 68survivor
    68survivor Guest

    Posted

    Andy: Like so many other health issues in life the outcomes can be very varied. I had an MRI prior to prospective Spinal Surgery in 1998, which also revealed an AAA, at that point below the diameter at which operations like EVAR would be considered (5.5cm). I was put on yearly / six monthly U/S scans depending on growth rate. I reached that diameter in 2012 but was not well enough for surgery. I was reevaluated three years ago, given the go-ahead, was in theatre and the Vascular Surgeon pulled the plug. Subsequently telling me to "prepare to die with 'dignity' at home!."  Life continued as normal for me - I have had Heart Failure since 2009 - and have now reached the non-driving cut-off point, (6.5cm) so have had to resort to taxis and good friends for transport.

     Certainly do all you can to get to a trim size, I find that learning to sleep on my front as much as side/back also helps me. Aneurysms and learning to live with them is very individual, it is not unknown for them to get several cm larger than mine currently before they are even found. Hopefully your journey will have a successful outcome as generally, the monitoring process you will be on is beneficial in most cases.

    • derek76
      derek76 68survivor

      Posted

      You really are a survivor and long may you continue to be.
    • Guest
      Guest 68survivor

      Posted

      Thank you for your response i wish you well and as Derek said you are a true survivor having been through so much.

      Best regards Andrew 

  • 1108
    1108 Guest

    Posted

    Hello,

    I'm 64 and had AAA (Abdominal )Open surgery last year (in the US). My situation was a little different. When my aneurysm was discovered it was 6.3cm. So it was only about 6 weeks form discovery to surgery. During that time my only restriction was not to do any heavy lifting.

    Overall heath and fitness does make a difference. I find walking, riding a bike and eating properly goes a long way to help keep my weight down and BP under control.

    Recovery from the surgery was tough. But a year later the only reminder I have is a big scar.

    • Guest
      Guest 1108

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your response and will take on board your advice i wish you well.

      Andrew 

  • sam80974
    sam80974 Guest

    Posted

    hi @Guest how are u getting on with your aaa x

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