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Renal - Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm
I am having s1 and l 4&5 issues, I got an MRI and X-ray done to check it out, but the dr saw a 1.4-centimeter aneurysm on the aortic vein going to my left kidney(Renal an aortic aneurysm). So I just went back to the vascular dr after 6 weeks, did a sonogram and said there was no change, so he doesn’t want to see me for another 6 months, and I was cleared to have surgery on my back if I needed it. But now I'm freaking out about it, because I have passed two kidney stones. I'm supposed to go back to work ( school bus driver) in three weeks. I'm hurting because of my back and the stones, but mostly I'm stressed out because of an aneurysm and going back to work. I'm not dealing well with any of this I just want to take the meds and stay in bed and never get up, I just don't know what to do, I would appreciate any suggestions.
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Hello @trevilo and welcome to Connect. I would like to invite back some members that discussed renal aneurysm's in the past: @mlan68 and @jms7.
@trevilo, you may notice that I made the primary group of this discussion the Aortic Aneurysm group. I did this so other members from this group can also chime in even though that may not have experience with the exact aneurysm you discussed. You may also find it worth your time to click on VIEW & REPLY if you are replying by email, so you can check out some of the other discussions and what other members have been discussing about their aortic aneurysms. Did your medical provider give you permission to go back to work or have an opinion about you returning to work?
Hi @trevilo,
I was wondering how you are doing; have you found any relief for the back pain? I’m including some information from Mayo Clinic on aortic aneurysms, and also copied a few details, which I sincerely hope will help you with your concerns about having an aneurysm:
"The goal of treatment is to prevent your aneurysm from rupturing. Generally, your treatment options are medical monitoring or surgery. Your doctor's decision depends on the size of the aortic aneurysm and how fast it's growing.If your aortic aneurysm is small and you're not experiencing symptoms, your doctor may recommend medical monitoring, which includes regular appointments to make sure your aneurysm isn't growing, and management of other medical conditions that could worsen your aneurysm." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350693
I look forward to hearing back from you.
I found this in-depth patient information on Abdominal aortic aneurysm (Beyond the Basics) from Wolters Kluwer "UpToDate" website http://www.uptodate.com/contents/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-beyond-the-basics#H17517696. Here are some excerpts:
"Surgical risk. The risk of surgery varies for each individual and the magnitude of risk may be estimated. Patients whose surgical risk is estimated to be high may do better with watchful waiting or less invasive aneurysm repair. ... Surgery of any kind carries certain risks that vary from one person to another, depending upon the patient's general state of health. The surgical risk for repair of AAA increases with age and the presence of other health conditions. As examples, people who have other heart or lung diseases, and people who smoke are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia and irregularities in their heart rates after surgery. In addition, older adults are more prone to develop problems (such as cardiac events and stroke) both during and after surgery."
Good luck with your research @mlan68. Our bodies are complex and when we have multiple conditions, it can be challenging to find answers with one specialist. It sounds like your mom has a team of people working with you both. Are you able to share your findings and suspicions with them?
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2 Reactions<p>My 68 year old very energetic "on the go" mom got sick in Feb. of this year with a cold that progressed to the point of an ER visit at the end of March. A CT scan revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm and the endovascular repair was done at the end of April. As soon as she exited the recovery room she became sick vomiting and diarrhea and after being released made 6 more trips back to the hospital where some led to admittance for more than 7 days.</p><p>Between the end of April post repair and now, she was back 6 times, lost weight due to the vomiting and diarrhea, had no appetite and simply couldn't keep anything down and had low right abdominal pain her and there that radiated to her back. The longest stay was due to C diff. infection. The doctor said he really wasn't sure that was her problem but he was out of options to diagnose her with. She was finally able to eat a little and begin to recover.</p><p>June 14 she called the ambulance due to a sharp pain in her right lower quadrant of her abdomen radiating to her back and was released on June 22. The reason was for a right kidney infarction that was later denied by another doctor. There were so many doctors and each said something contrary to the other. I decided the best route was to get a copy of the doctors notes from the visit. In these notes I found the tests revealed 2 heart valve regurgitation, kidney infarction, kidney injury, bibasilar atelectasis which is a partial collapse of a lung a breathing complication after surgery and another even bigger renal aortic aneurysm among other things.</p><p>I don't mean to scare anybody but I wonder a few things. Why were we not informed of some of the findings? How did they miss another aneurysm or did they indeed cause it? Why does the vascular surgeon not cooperate with the diagnosis and treatment of her problem and just keep giving her the "everything is fine" spill? When I called for the follow up appointment the hospital recommended the doctor had told them to tell us that the only thing needed was the 3 month visit, nothing quicker. I'm not trying to point a finger just trying to find someone to help my mom. It's hard to see her weak and sick and worry about whether or not today is the last day with her. Before the surgery she was so vibrant, even having the great grandkids over for the summer. Something happened to my mom in that operating room and I really need to find out what it's going to take to get her back to where she was.</p><p>There's so much that could have happened including aortic infection and I don't want anyone in trouble just help for her. In addition, she's diabetic, anemic and has COPD. One of her plaque meds valsartan is suspected to worsen the kidney infarction.</p>
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1 ReactionI am so awed and have good tears I actually got out of bed to write you. I'm so so happy to hear this. Yes support and prayer of others is so powerful. When we turn to others even in a setting like this it says we are worth healing and prayers from total strangers. How great is it that tonight I spoke to a large church women's group on the heart and what it needs;spiritually, emotionally, etc. Please do keep updating; those of us who have major health issues have the compassion that others don't have in the same way. Sending you joy and good prayers for continued strength : )
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2 ReactionsThanks @jms7, looks like those prayers have worked for the major ailment anyway. Thanks so much, the support of all you here is indescribable. We here are fortunate to have you all.
Thanks for asking @colleenyoung it went great. It turns out the dr. at the emergency room read the films incorrectly. The second opinion surgeon says that it's just swelling that will take approximately a year to completely go back to normal. He says it's a process and everything looks great.
She is however, still experiencing nausea and vomiting so the gastro doc is the next stop.
Hi @mlan68. Just checking in. How are you and your mom doing? How did the meeting with the vascular surgeon go earlier this month?
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1 ReactionI'm so happy you updated - please know you are both in my prayers!!!
Thanks @jms7 She goes tomorrow to another vascular surgeon and I hope all will begin healing.