1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Posted by rory @rory, Apr 2, 2018

I was diagnosed in 2012 with ascending aorta dialation of 4.1 cm. In 2013 no change. Finally went back to dr in 2017 and echo showed 4.3 cm. 2 months later dr made me have a chest scan which read 4.5 cm. which is correct? Echo or scan? Dr wants me to have another in 6 months. Very stressful.

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Drew944 | @Drew944 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

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I thank you all so much for your wonderful support and kind words, I support you all too. TBD on the growth as stable actually lower reading from June to September so think won’t have another until June next year but maybe sooner if I can get it. Switching from Kaiser to Blue so I can choose. Working on living without the fear. Been told by cedars and mayo that since monitored and can be repaired if needed at 98-99% that we should be fine and that risk is like or better than anything else we do. Best to all

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anniejam | @anniejam | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @degarden_girl "@Drew944 I think you need to just take a deep breath and not be so scared...." + (show)
@degarden_girl

@Drew944 I think you need to just take a deep breath and not be so scared. I am sure your cardio has you monitored for the rate the aneurysm is growing and that is the critical issue. If your aneurysm is as slow growing as mine is, it may be 20 + years or more before you need surgical repair. And by then, they may have an entirely different way of repairing it.

I suggest you talk to your cardio about how fast this is growing and knowing it is not growing at a fast rate might give you some peace of mind. I am sure your cardio has suggested limiting how much you lift and that must be tough when you have such little children. But you can sit and they can crawl into your lap and you can have the same cuddling without the lifting. When necessary, I do lift things that perhaps I shouldn't but so far, the aneurysm is hardly growing at all. I have been warned to NEVER shovel snow so I don't and I don't do any work/exercise outside in the cold of winter.

Think positively. Knowing you have this is better than having it and not knowing it is there. I understand your fear and how devastated you must feel but don't let your fear steal your enjoyment of life. I wish you well.

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Thank you!

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hslusher | @hslusher | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

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I'm from Beaufort SC as well! Did you ever take Levaquin or Cipro (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)?

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2 replies
Drew944 | @Drew944 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @hslusher "I'm from Beaufort SC as well! Did you ever take Levaquin or Cipro (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)?" + (show)
@hslusher

I'm from Beaufort SC as well! Did you ever take Levaquin or Cipro (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)?

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No, just on and over the years : Prostate and varility
Arginmax
Nugenix multivitamin
Saw palmetto
Vitamin D
Fish oil
Citruline

Excedrin
Aspirin
Melatonin

Then stopping after palpitations

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @hslusher "I'm from Beaufort SC as well! Did you ever take Levaquin or Cipro (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)?" + (show)
@hslusher

I'm from Beaufort SC as well! Did you ever take Levaquin or Cipro (fluoroquinolone antibiotics)?

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Welcome @hslusher. May I ask what brings you to Mayo Clinic Connect? Have you been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm?

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estanley2008 | @estanley2008 | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

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May I ask do y’all have cta or mri to check on growth of aneurysm?
Does a echo gram show the aneurysm?

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anniejam | @anniejam | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

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echo

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maryswims | @maryswims | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Laverne, I wanted to add my welcome. I'm thrilled to see you've connected with Teresa...." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi Laverne, I wanted to add my welcome. I'm thrilled to see you've connected with Teresa.
I'd also like to bring in other members who may have experiences to share. Please meet @morninglory @elsinann @teatime @thegoodwife @thankful and @ch246cf10.

Laverne, did you see these related Connect discussions?
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm http://mayocl.in/2bC9oIY
- Large ascending aorta in young healthy 45 year old woman http://mayocl.in/2gwDknX

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@colleenyoung

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maryswims | @maryswims | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

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Hi, I’ve been on this site since I also had an incidental diagnosis of AAA during a further chest X-ray for lung nodules(benign), the first ct being taken for pending colectomy(also turned out benign polyp). I feel a sudden whirlwind of activity surrounding my health and my physical well being, which I always relied on as I was super healthy. I’m 65 and also this descent into the malestrom is occurring along with my new retirement from my job of 30 years! So this group discussion is pretty important for me to get a grip. I’d like to link up with the AAA group you mentioned. It’s scary.

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @laverne ""Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66..." + (show)
@laverne

"Incidentental finding " of a 4.2 CM ascending aorta aneurysm on a CT. I am 66 . My Doctor plans f/u CT in March, started me on a 3rd blood pressure pill and cholesterol med to gain better control, told to continue treadmill and free weights at the gym I joined before the diagnosis and said life as usual. Why am I still panicky?? Can this be right?

Jump to this post

Hi @maryswims,

I can only imagine your worry, so I wanted to let you know that you’re in the right group – Aortic Aneurysms – to talk with people who have similar experiences, and to get support from members who understand what you are going through.

Are you perhaps referring to the links that @colleenyoung provided?
Those are links to discussions – just like this one, in which you are participating. I’ve copied them again, below; simply click on any link and it will take you directly to the relevant discussion:
– Thoracic aortic aneurysm https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thorcic-aneurysm/
– Large ascending aorta in young healthy 45 year old woman https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-ascending-aorta-in-young-healthy-45-year-old-woman/

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