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Managing Anxiety with an Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Apr 23 9:19pm | Replies (104)Comment receiving replies
@larak
Hi, I read you comment, and can relate with my experience with cardiac thoracic surgeons. I am getting the standard protocol of waiting until at least 5.0 measurement of my AAA. Mine is 4.7 cm and stable for 2 years but it was discovered I have a congenital bicuspid aorta instead of tricuspid, that has probably caused the AAA. I have autoimmune disorders, Hashimoto's and Sjogren's disease. Sjogren's can cause systemic symptoms and I am at 30-40% for cardiac events even without the heart issues I have. The surgeons seem only focused on their protocol for surgury which will have to be done since the aortic valve is calcifying and both will be repaired with open heart surgery, (eventually). I have an appt with Rheumatologist in June, which takes months to get in. Will she be concerned about the cardiac issues and communicate with cardiologist. Remains to be seen. Otherwise, I just wait and see. Cardiologist never asked about my BP, cholesterol. I am proactive about my health, but have changes in cholesterol and BPs with my autoimmune issues. Going to a Naturopath who will at least listen to my whole story. If I were you I would pursue the autoimmune issues, with more autoimmune panels. At 5.0 cm, you should be considered for surgury.
Replies to "@larak Hi, I read you comment, and can relate with my experience with cardiac thoracic surgeons...."
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@sherrylou51b I've been told, since mine is slow-growing and I'm only 56 years old, waiting until 5.5 cm is okay.
I am concerned about the cardiac changes: valve regurgitation, dilated pulmonary artery, the PVCs that look like bradycardia, exhaustion upon exertion to a ridiiculous degree that keeps getting worse. But, so far, no one else is.
I have a high-titre (1:1280) ANA with AC codes 8-10 (systemic sclerosis). I am HLA-B51 positive (Behçet's). Mildly elevated chromogranin A. I have occasional elevations of C3, some cytokines, and metanephrines. The latter cause occasional BP spikes, but it hasn't happened for a while.
I had secondary hyperparathyroidism, likely from kidney issues affecting nutrient absorption. That may be related to systemic sclerosis.
I have diagnosed dry eyes. I have recently diagnosed atopic dermatitis. I have an egregious number of contact allergens. I have poor circulation (not quite Raynaud's, blue fingers and toes, not white) and poor wound healing without diabetes. Likely small vessel circulatory issues. And, of course, the debilitating joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog. The shoulder and hip pain shows up on MRI as non-erosive inflammation.
Because it's not a slam dunk clinical picture, rheumatologists have been unhelpful.
I really have tried. There is a lot of information available. I haven't even summarized it all here.
But I can't make doctors do anything. I can only make me do things. I've pretty much given up on all doctors, but need a couple to access a thoracic surgeon.