Newly Diagnosed: 4.9 cm ascending aortic looking for support

@lmcfarland my heart and prayers are with you I’m going through one myself I have a 3.8 ascending thoracic abdominal aortic aneurysm it was found in 2019 and my life has not been the same I anxiety and panic disorder after finding this diagnosis out I feel like I’m spiraling out of control all I think about is what if it ruptures and living out here in the country would there be enough time to make it to the hospital? I wake up sweating and having that feeling of doom it is on my mind day and night and affects my sleep and they say try to keep stress down which is hard when you have anxiety and panic disorder. They will not touch mine till it is over 5 cm waiting that long makes it worse I’m scared to death I hope you get the answers I’m still looking for answers also. I came here for support I have a lot with family but they have no idea what we are going through and how it effects us each day the constant fear of rupture and trying to not do anything that would help,it to grow faster but that is very hard I wish you the best of luck and if you would like to talk I’m here always up to meeting new friends that are going through the same thing. Ann

@sherrylou51b
I agree I put my life in Gods hands but it is still scared when you are suffering from anxiety and panic disorder I do see a mental health doctor and tried meditation and listening to music when I go to sleep it’s always in my head. That’s why I joined here for support and meet new friends. I’m thinking about checking out the Cleveland clinic which would be the closest to me but not close enough we are even thinking of moving back to the city I live 30 minutes from the city and being out here has me worried the medical personnel would not get to me in time especially in the winter 🥶. I’m from Erie Pa where are you from? My name is Ann

@midnightwolf
Hi. My name is Sherry Davis. I am a recent retired nurse. The more I have read and knowledge about AAA has given me assurance. Joining this forum and hearing others stories has helped. One surgeon told me if my AAA 2mm then I will need surgery to repair the bicuspid aorta and aneurysm. 2 mm isn't much, so I am anxious about potential open heart surgery. January will give me update on it.

So well put , the fears and can’t get it off your mind never go away .. 3 1-/2yrs since my dissection and total arch replacement and not a day goes by when at some point don’t think about that day or maybe a back pain or neck pain that makes me think of that day it all dissected .. the worst pain in my life I’ve ever had .. hoping with the abdominal aortic surgery replacement coming up that my mind will be at ease finally knowing the whole aorta is basically replaced .. I feel good most days but seems like this last year I’ve looked stressed and tired more .. feels all like a nightmare at times but it’s definitely real .. so I understand fear and anxiety of it all .. everyone on this site is here for the same reason .. for support and ideas and someone to express thoughts to! I appreciate everyone on here !! So we are all in as they say !

That TAA is more of an enlargement than an aneurysm. You will be monitored to see if it grows. I’ve had one that size for over 20 years. It’s still stable at 4.0 now. Don’t stress.

@farmerken
Well said I’m here if you want to talk we are all going through this in our own way I’m trying to not stress but it consumes my thoughts everyday and night time is the worst I do not sleep much at times when I wake up I have that feeling of doom well not at time but practically all the time I wake up with panic attacks and that feeling of doom. My fear is it dissecting and living way out in the country 30 minutes from town my fear is will they get to me on time. How did yours dissect? And what was the surgery like? Hope to hear from you and you are doing well. Ann

@kathy9746
Hi Kathy thank you for the advice I did not know it is more an enlargement then aneurysm. This is what the Dr said mine was stable at 3.8 and that it involves the entire visceral segment of the thoracic and upper abdominal aorta this worries me. Any thoughts?

Ann