Diagnosed with 5cm Aneurysm near heart
Posted , 21 users are following.
Hello everyone, I'm new here and just want some advice.
Two day before Christmas, I was diagnosed with a 5cm aneursym near my heart and told, "If it's not repaired, it will burst and you will die". The NHS cardiologist had only just seen my file and met me, 5 minute before that. He also stated that if my valve is bicuspid, they need to replace it and repair the aneursysm now. So I've been waiting for either a tube down my throat, or an MRI to get a clearer picture. So far, I've only received a phone call, from that Cardilogist, on New Years eve, saying the Tube test should be end of Jan, beginng of March, but the MRI will be sceduled in the interum.
I'm originally from America, where my possible bicuspid valve was monitored yearly with echos. I've been here in the UK just over 4 years and only ONCE did a Dr. so much as listen to my heart, until they thought I had a TIA.
Is this typical of the NHS? Give you bad news, then make you wait?? Some say I need to go to my GP and see if they can refer me to another place to get the tests done...others say, play up your symptoms. I am somewhat symptomatc, but so far, I still walk a mile to the bus every morning, and work a 40 hour work week.
Any advise, words of wisdom, words of caution...any thing...I just don't want to feel alone in this anymore.
1 like, 105 replies
BillyFriend kristi18883
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In a perfect world if the NHS had the resources, it would probably be different, but sadly I think they are up against it. I count myself very lucky indeed.
mary-rose15619 BillyFriend
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BillyFriend kristi18883
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derek76 BillyFriend
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My small one (3.1 cm then) was found about twelve years ago when I was 68 prior to the screening programme when I had a scan for gall stones. Since then with annual scans and it has only grown to 3.7cm.
I asked a consultant at the time what could be done to slow down future growth and he suggested statins. I did not take up his suggestion but was prescribed statins about four years ago when I was found to have aortic stenosi and was waitng for valve replacement. With the side effects from statins I stopped/started on them for a couple of years. I think that calcium build up may as you say provide protection.
A friend who was a policeman told me that a large proportion of sudden deaths in middle aged, elderly men found dead is from burst aneurysms.
Some research programmes have found that statins are of benefit but the main conclusion is:
We found no association between statin prescription or LDL concentration with AAA expansion. The results do not support the findings of smaller studies and suggest that statins may have no benefit in reducing AAA progression.
joylee1952 kristi18883
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kristi18883
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I think the Dr. thought I was in denial, as he kept pausing for a long time when he told me stuff. I explained that I already knew I was going to have the surgery, and I'm not overly stessed about it, because the odds of it bursting, are FAR greater than the 1/10 chance of dying on the table.
I firmly believe that it does no good to worry about things such as this, and in fact, with this condition, it would be detrimental to my health, as worry raises blood pressure.
So to those of you that are going though similar issues, please, try not to stress. I know it's hard. But just make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep yourself healthy (no drinking, no smoking, eating right and getting some exercise) and seeing your Doctor regularly, and inform him/her of ANY changes in your health, even if you think they are minor, or irrelavent.
mary-rose15619 kristi18883
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denshep kristi18883
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kristi18883 denshep
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pablo123 denshep
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joylee1952 kristi18883
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i don't smoke or drink..I do line dancing four hours a week, pretty good at keeping stress down, but I still have questions and fears from this thing! It's not that I want or look forward to surgery either, but a planned procedure sounds better to me than a dissection or rupture! I feel like I'm in between a hawk and a buzzard!!!
kristi18883 joylee1952
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Yes, my aneurysm grew, from 5cm to 5.1. I am still waiting for my appointments for my angiogram and breathing test. Then my surgery will be scheduled "within 3 months" of those tests.
I agree that a planned procedure is way better than the alternative. In fact, when the cardiac surgeon told me that I had a 10% chance of dying on the table, and I didn't have a strong reaction, he asked if I realized that was 1/10, and I answered, "what are my odds if I don't have it fixed?" He didn't answer.
Besides (and this might sound morbid) dying on the table doesn't seem a bad way to go. They put you to sleep, and you just don't wake up..
We all still have questions by the way, and I would encourage you to write these down and take them with you next time you see your doctor.
Take care.
Grimspite kristi18883
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I'm right behind you on the elective surgery. They've been doing these operations for nearly fifty years, and I know I'm fortunate to be saying this post-op, but the relief once it's done is overwhelming and the resultant reduction in stress is beneficiial all round. Do let us know how you get on.
kristi18883
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My Groin is sore, as they had a hard time getting the wire into the right spot and had to change wires twice. I'm off work until Thursday, and my hubby is being very helpful.
So to all of you that are having tests and waiting, take the small victories, such as mine today.
mary-rose15619 kristi18883
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Grimspite kristi18883
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derek76 kristi18883
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casey78892 kristi18883
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kristi18883 derek76
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kristi18883 casey78892
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derek76 kristi18883
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A previous one I had was over so quickly that I had not realised that he had got beyond inserting the catheter. When I asked when he was going to start he turned the screen towards me and said here is the action replay.
casey78892 kristi18883
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kristi18883 casey78892
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