@jlharsh
Hi Janell,
My bad on the appt which was last Friday but it was with the PA. Honestly, she was talking but I wasn't hearing. Like I was in shock and didn't know what to say. I think I went straight to denial. But I certainly have a story to tell so far and I need direction. So much has been thrown at me, I'm very overwhelmed. After finding out about the A fib, they put me on two meds , as I said, Eliquis and Metoprolol. I seem to be doing ok and I take the Metoprolol at night. I had a Cat Scan with contrast on Aug 12th. I have the report in my hand.
Impression: 1. No aneurysmal dilation of the abdominal aorta. No high-grade stenosis. 2. 73 x 67 mm abdominal wall diaphragmatic defect and hiatal hernia. I knew I had a "small" , at the time, hiatal hernia approx. 5 years ago. Was never told that it was a diaphragmatic situation. I'm shocked at how big it is and am I going to have to have surgery better than later to get this repaired.
I still have the ascending aortic aneurysm but they didn't mention it on this CT scan results. I was most certainly told by another BIG well known hospital that I had an descending aortic aneurysm. Question, did they refer the diaphragmatic defect and hiatal hernia an aneurysm? The reason I have two Cardiac doctors is because i started going to this particular doctor who is in my home town vs. driving 2 hours in traffic to the well known place. They actually contacted me and said that they would handle everything. In the meantime I have the other doctor close by that I had an appt with. I told him I had a descending aortic aneurysm. He looked at me kind of puzzled and ordered the Cat Scan AND casually questioned me if I was having any palpitations, pvc or A fib. I had a little and he asked me if I felt it monthly or weekly. I told him, weekly. Right away he ordered the 7 day heart monitor. On day 2 , my heart pounded so bad I couldn't count it. It set me back and I was really scared. I didn't call 911 , I just layed down and drank water. I thought I was dehydrated. Now that I have this very large diaphragmatic defect that could be possibly pushing into my chest and putting pressure on the heart? I know I googled it, and it said if it is pushing up into my chest that it could cause A fib. Now, I'm wondering what is causing the A Fib. Am I taking the metoprolol and Eliquis for a reason? I need to go over all this with the Cardiologist and ask questions. I also have an appt Thursday to see my primary and get her input. Here's another question, I have lost 75lbs in the last 5 years. I then found out I was diabetic even after losing the weight. Then the dr asked me if I'd like to try Ozempic to control my diabetes. And I'm almost to a normal weight. I'm almost the weight I was when I got married in 1979. I'm so glad that I'm not dealing with a larger frame or I 'd really be in trouble with all the surgeries I've had that would never have taken place. The a1c is down and that's a big deal. Now I'm on 2 new meds and the Metoprolol and a Eliquis a blood thinner. I'm afraid I will throw a clot and have a stroke. I've got sleep apnea too and the diabetes. Comorbidity at it's best. Now it's A fib.
I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm a very positive person. It's just knocked me down like rock. Overwhelmed is the only word I can think of. I truly value the people on these boards who talk about the same situation I'm in and how to handle it. Did I mention that I have a hiatal hernia along with the diaphragmatic defect. So there's a lot going on in the stomach area. I've been taking prescription strength Omeprazole and it's working, somewhat. What do I deal with first? Thank you for all your support.
Jan A. Fallbrook , CA