Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s condition—it sounds incredibly difficult, and I can understand why you’re feeling concerned. Get a second opinion. Seeking a second opinion from specialists, especially at a major medical center or academic hospital, could provide new insights. Some places, like the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, have teams that focus on complex cases like hers. Even if surgery isn’t an option right now, it’s important to make sure her doctors are exploring every possible way to manage her condition without surgery. Keeping her blood pressure controlled and monitoring her closely are key. I get annual CT scans for my dissected aorta repaired with a graft in 2015. It gives me a lot of reassurance that things are stable. I know this is overwhelming, but don’t be afraid to ask her care team tough questions or even look into clinical trials. Sometimes those can offer options that aren’t widely available. In addition, she is likely to qualify for permanent SS disability insurance so find a good SSDI lawyer in a major city near you and apply today. That would help from a financial perspective AND a health perspective if she's currently under a workload stress. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of emotional support—both for her and for you. Talking with a counselor or connecting with support groups can make a big difference in getting through something this challenging. Peace.

This is a repeat post since I accidently put it in the wrong spot. I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter’s condition—it sounds incredibly difficult, and I can understand why you’re feeling concerned. Get a second opinion. Seeking another opinion from specialists, especially at a major medical center or academic hospital, could provide new insights. Some places, like the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic, have teams that focus on complex cases like hers. Even if surgery isn’t an option right now, it’s important to make sure her doctors are exploring every possible way to manage her condition without surgery. Keeping your daughter's blood pressure controlled and monitoring her closely are key. I get annual CT scans for my dissected aorta repaired with a graft in 2015. It gives me a lot of reassurance that things are stable. I know this is overwhelming, but do not be afraid to ask her care team tough questions or even look into clinical trials. Sometimes those can offer options that are not widely available. In addition, she is likely to qualify for permanent SS disability insurance so find a good SSDI lawyer in a major city near you and apply today. That would help from a financial perspective AND a health perspective if she's currently under a workload stress. Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of emotional support—both for her and for you. Talking with a counselor or connecting with support groups can make a big difference in getting through something this challenging. Peace.

Thank you

This online support group is a godsend. Visit it frequently and you'll know you and your daughter are not alone. I wish you well as you face these challenges. Also, listen to Moonboy.

Last year on my 56 birthday I had an abdominal aortic dissection 3.1 , I have it checked every 6 months now. But my question is, are there things that can be done to heal or help? I eat healthy as possible and as I have gained strength I exercise lightly (no heavy lifting). But is there anyone who has experienced better results as time goes by rather than worse? I would really like to do what I can and be a Grandpa as long as possible 🙂
Thanks for any suggestions

Hello all , I am 69 years old anddiagnosed withaortic aneursm 6 months agoduring a routine lung scan. It was 4.9 now 6 months later is 5.0. I am hoping to get better at proper lifting, bending ect. will improve and will have better results next time. My question is ,if I seek a second opinion, will medicare cover it? I live in centeral Wa so am relativly close to some bigtime medical centers. will my Dr have to set up the visit or do I?

So I dissected at age 50. Mine was an ascending arch section, so right above the heart. I am now turning 60 in the middle of December. I’ve survived 9 1/2 years without a hitch. I worked in the yard today all day, cleaning up leaves and Getting the garage ready for winter. I take my blood pressure meds regularly as well as a statin. I try to avoid super heavy lifts, but I will carry things that way in the range of 50 pounds. I probably shouldn’t, but I don’t have children that are interested in hauling mulch or dirt. I take an aspirin every day and I try to eat well and keep my weight down. I get regular CT scans of my aorta to ensure that there is no leakage and to ensure that it has stayed stable. I think that you’re going to be fine. If you’ve had your dissection corrected by surgery, I think there’s a really good chance that you’re going to have a normal lifespan. I read a study that said that if you survive an aortic dissection, your lifespan is actually a little bit longer than it normally would be because people tend to take care of themselves much better after they survive it. I think that’s true and I want you to think that that’s true as well. Not just because I say so, but because of the studies that have borne it out. I was very scared about my fate for the first couple of years after I dissected, but the more I researched and the more I read the more, I realized that this was a new chance at life for me and that I was not going to waste it. So, no drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no planking, no heavy, lifting and live every day to its fullest. Peace.

Thanks for the insight 👍

Are you being monitored regularly by a cardiologist? Aneurysms don't heal or get better with time. When they become more dangerous than surgery, it's time to operate. It sounds to me from what you say that you need more information from your medical team. Good luck to you.

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is to have your GP refer you to a cardiologist. Presumably he or she will recommend a bunch of tests to get a clearer picture of your heart. I assume that would include a CT scan. Don't worry about the cost. If Medicare doesn't cover something, throw yourself on their mercy. We all deserve good care. You could probably go straight to the big time center, but you might want to do a little research first to find out who the best surgeons are. I'm learning all this from this group here, so stick around. It'll help.