@moonboy you are certainly a wealth of information. Thank you!

I have to say navigating the healthcare system is daunting. I have spent my career in healthcare, I am not clinical, but when health systems started hiring physicians rather than the physician being independent, I have sadly seen doctors more interested in their paid time off rather than their patients.

I had a 6 month CT Scan w/out contrast, which was different than the first one in June which was with contrast on 1/17. I received the results on 1/19. My care team never reviewed the results until 1/21. I messaged twice with no response, this was my thoracic surgeon’s office who ordered the scan. I called on 1/27 and was told someone should have contacted me but I had to schedule an appointment for 2/18 to meet with the doctor to review the results and answer my questions. Today, 1/31, someone finally responded who said someone would be reaching out to schedule an appointment. Grrrrr. Needless to say I responded. I hate to have to be snarky but it is all frustrating when you don’t feel valued or you are a bother but from some of the posts, others are experiencing similar situations.

Don’t even get me started on cardiologists. The second doctor I saw prescribed Crestor, and said if the joint pain is too bad, stop it for a few days then start. BTW I am on Letrozole for Breast Cancer , which causes joint paint and can affect your heart. Also, I did some research on Crestor, which can be linked to causing aneurysms. I stopped the Crestor after 2 weeks and have been taking CoQ10. I really would love to find someone who takes into account all of me so I can manage all of this. Hopefully, I will get some answers on 2/18.

Regarding exercise, that too is all over the place regarding what physicians say, I did get a smart watch. If my heart rate gets into the anaerobic or maximum, I slow down. Although, vacuuming, bending over to clean a tub, lifting my 7 month grandson, all life activities effect your heart rate. BTW my aneurysm went from 4.1 to 4.3. I do use my elliptical and do Pilates but modified the intensity. I feel being in the best shape you can is a positive.

Some days, I can manage all this, today, apparently my anxiety is getting to me. Oh yeah, anxiety creates stress hormones that are not good for your heart. Some days, the bad ones, I wonder if I should just stay in bed not to exert my heart, but I get up anyway and go on with my daily life. Staying busy for me is important. Idle time makes my mind go to places it should not go.

I do find this site helpful and that I am not alone. I am strongly considering contacting the Cleveland Clinic, it is the closest to me. I am in PA.

We all have to continue to advocate for ourselves, do our research so we have a fighting chance so we can asks questions, and when we get scared, suck it up and keep going😊💕. Sorry for the rant.