Celiac Artery Aneurysm: Anyone else with same illness?

Hi everyone. Have any of you with celiac artery aneurysms had gastric symptoms ? I have been experiencing things such as abdominal bloating and increased heartburn and loose bowels. I am not sure if this is cause for worry my next MRI IS IN 2 months

I had major gastric issues and loose bowels for a year or so before my celiac stent surgery. It was horrible. I feel so much better after they put a stent in my celiac artery and opened up my artery. It also sealed my aneurysm and my last CT scan the aneurysm vanished. They found the aneurysm on Dec 29th, 2018 and I had surgery on January 2nd, 2019. I am surprised these doctors are waiting to do surgery seems crazy. I had terrific doctors out of Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge, IL

Thank you for that information. I just began having similar gastric issues and was told that it is unlikely related to my celiac aneurysm. It is great that you successfully addressed the problem. I and others on this page are in the monitoring stage which is not satisfying. It seems the rarity of this issue causes reluctance to take remedial action. I may make sense to seek a second opinion from a Dr. experienced in addressing the problem like your Dr. How large was your aneurysm ?

Yes! this just started for me. It appears that Mfolan also had this problem before stent surgery. That makes at least 3 of us !

My aneurysm was large. They never gave me the measurements because it bellowed out of the artery like a balloon. It was a hole in the artery very long and narrow. My doctor said I am very lucky it didn't rupture.

Happy that you found and treated in time!

Hi, everyone:
I was recently diagnosed with a celiac aneurysm and an ascending aortic aneurysm, as well as transverse myelitis. Both were discovered by’accident’ - I had gone to the local ER because of severe lower back pain. Subsequently, a CT scan revealed the issues. Research tells me that a celiac aneurysm is quite rare. Mine is still quite small, about 1.5 cm. My research tells me that it’s too small for surgery ... and that its growth can be monitored by a semi-annual CT. In the meantime, I’m basically in ‘do nothing’ limbo.
Prior to the diagnosis, I was a workout warrior - pushing my body to its limits 6 days per week. I bench(ed) 260. Ran approximately 15 miles per week. Crunches. Push-ups. And, a host of other machines that targeted biceps, triceps, pectorals, back, etc. Fifty pull-ups daily. I don’t smoke, eat healthy. I am diagnosed afib, but take a beta blocker and digoxin to control rate and rhythm. My only other meds are omeprazole and vitamin D.
The aneurysm diagnosis has turned my world upside down. I live in west Texas - Abilene, to be specific. The one thoracic surgeon to whom I spoke while hospitalized immediately recused himself from surgical intervention, saying he was imminently unqualified to perform such a procedure. To date, my internal med specialist is the only doctor with whom I’ve followed up for treatment. I’m devastated at not being able to lift weights any longer. Included in that is not being able to perform menial duties in the house and yard: basically, life. My doc says I may lift 10-15 pounds - no more. But - he also says that he thinks it’s okay for me to do pull-ups in the gym. He says there’s a stark difference in using weights as opposed to using one’s own weight in terms of exercise. While I was thrilled with his conclusion, you may also paint me with a bit of cynicism. My procedure in doing pull-ups is not much different than doing a bench press: proper breathing is vital. Exhaling on the lift is standard protocol. Now, I certainly don’t wish to die on the gym floor. Abstaining from potentially damaging weightlifting is something that I know I must do.
My question, then ... is my doc wrong for green lighting pull-ups? My weight is 185 - so, it’s a workout for sure. I guess I don’t understand why I can’t shovel dirt in my yard but yet I can do pull-ups. If the aneurysm ruptures, it’s over - there is no one out here able to perform surgery. Dallas is 200 miles east; Houston, 375 miles southeast. Truthfully, given the rarity of the celiac aneurysm, I’m not terribly sure even Dallas or Houston would have a qualified surgeon.
And, these questions: what is protocol in determining when surgery is necessary? Will my aneurysm have to grow to a certain size? Is it strange to want to make that happen - so that I may resume a productive and active life as I had pre-diagnosis? I have things to get done! Am I never going to be the same prrson I was? I don’t want to go from being my wife’s hard-working husband to her burden! Am I just stuck in this situation?!
Comments appreciated.

it's clear you have done your research like most of us here. It's standard not to operate on the smaller aneurysms and many of us are in the wait and monitor mode. I certainly understand the frustration this brings. My doctor told me only to not lift heavy things. Not sure what that really means. I still lift 40lb bags of dog food at the store to bring home. I have had mine for at least 2 years now with no additional growth. Since they seem to have no idea what the root cause of them are I personally think that they are just playing it safe by stating "take it easy". I headed for 60 years old, I'm overweight and I'm kind of OK with all of it. So my advice is do what you think is best for you and your family and your particular situation. There is no right answer only the one that you decide is best for you. Maybe a workout with lighter weights. One more observation. We all get scared when we get the diagnosis and ponder the results of it rupturing. However in this group I have not heard of anyone having that happen. There can be many reasons for that. Modified behaviors or if there was a bad outcome it doesn't get reported back. I appreciate the dr.s giving me worst case scenarios but i think those happen very rarely. Again maybe it's just my outlook and my situation. Hope this helps.

Wow double aneurysms! I have the Celiac one. My vascular surgeon says operate at 1.5CM. Mine is 1.3CM. Discovered 6 months ago by accident at 1.24CM. Check with a CTA scan every 6 months. I was a avid bicycle rider and had a fall. Broke lots of ribs, shattered my clavicle and punctured my lung. Doc says the trauma may have also caused the aneurysm. I suggest finding a vascular Dr. or at least a cardiologist that knows what a celiac artery is. (mine didn't). Dallas is not too far for a checkup and if they know about your aneurysms they can fly you to Baylor before you check out, hopefully. I recommend Dr. Jay Vasquez Vascular surgeon. 214.821.9600 at Baylor Dallas. He is going to be my second opinion. I have had good reviews about him. I wish you good luck.

What I read is 5CM for operating on a AAA.

It may be that the folks that have had them rupture are no longer able to type...….. Just a morbid thought. Sorry.
My Dr. says if it explodes I will have severe pain in my abdomen and will know what it is. The rarity of the celiac AA is the problem when you get to the ER, no one has ever even heard of it.