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How worried should I be?

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rebecca.g
rebecca.g

Hi. I am a 27 year old female. Last Thursday I had an ultrasound performed at the request of my gastroenterologist because I've been having issues with bloating and general discomfort for quite some time. Nothing abnormal was found in the tummy department but I did get a call back the same day and was told that I have a "slight dissection of my aorta."

My results were shown to my PCP and her office called and told me that she would like me to see a heart and vascular specialist as soon as possible and that they would schedule an appointment for me and I would get a call back from either them or the heart and vascular place (this was still on Thursday so I had the entire weekend to freak out and Google things and freak myself out even more.) I wound up calling the heart and vascular place yesterday (Monday) and scheduling my own appointment which will be next Thursday (July 7th). I was supposed to see my PCP this morning (Tuesday) but when I was about to leave the house I got a call saying that "she is unexpectedly out of the office today" and rescheduled for this Thursday, the 30th. I was really looking forward to this appointment because i have no information or answers about what is going on with me or what could happen to me or what I should be expecting.

I am worried and wondering if I should be waiting around for these doctors I am supposed to go see. I am worried that something stupid could happen between then and now and that I will regret not doing anything about it. I am annoyed that I was basically told "oh, you have a slight tear in your aorta, so you can freak out about it all weekend with absolutely no more information than that from us and also we're not really going to communicate that well with other doctors offices and cancel your appointment so you can freak out about it even longer."

Can anyone offer any insight to how serious this may be and what might be in store for me? Is it okay to wait on these doctors? How worried should I be?

Thank you!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • danno141
    danno141 rebecca.g

    Posted

    One bit of advice. Don't lift anything over 15 pounds or so and avoid bending and stretching that could cause stress. I would say go to the emergency room but the problem with that is you are usually seen by rookie doctors who misdiagnose this and if you are sent to surgery you will probably have the B team working on you and you definitely want the best surgeon you can get.

  • danno141
    danno141 rebecca.g

    Posted

    I do know that abdominal dissections are less life threatening than thoracic ones.
  • sec2709
    sec2709 rebecca.g

    Posted

    Rebecca, out of curoisity....was bloating the only issue you were having?  No pain? No belching, etc?  You've been given good advice here with no straining, lifting, etc., until you see a specialist.  But, would like to know what other symptoms you are having.  Thanks...

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