Aortic dissection: Got tips to learn more & afford treatment?

Hi @jonpens, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your discussion to a conversation that was already started on aortic dissection by @lorettat. This allows for you to connect with people that are going through similar medical experiences. I am sorry to hear about your husband's condition. @cobweb recently had a follow up appointment and me able to offer some suggestions on what to ask your husband's physician.
Are you possibly seeking a second opinion locally or are you considering Mayo Clinic?

Considering seeking appointment with Mayo clinic

I have had 2 different appointments. One ith Cleveland Clinic, the other with top surgeon in Toledo. Bottom line when i was found to have an aneurysm i panicked.. Si i found interviews wiyh surgeons from Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic on line. Then i followed instructions. Remain active, reduce stress, no lifting over 50 pounds. Questions like lets operate and get this over with were dealt with. So i bike everyday. garden. golf, etc. Was told at CC that i had 9 years. Ok, not sure why but i am up for that. My number is 4.7 and has stayed pretty constant. So my advice is turn off the TV politics etc. Does you no good. I watch cowboy movies and various movies, golf sports etc. Good luck

Interesting you were told not to lift over 50 pounds. Had a boss with an AA, and was told never lift over 25 pounds. His AA was in the high 3s for over a decade. He retired years ago, and would be about 90 if still living.
I would think the less you lift the better.

I am still fighting with SSI and yes I am still in pain but also noticing more symptoms like being out of breath after waking 25 to 30 feet, my legs seem to be extremely weak, up the underside of my left arm hurts and I have a rapid heart beat. I also have acid reflux bad and have had for about 2 weeks now. This morning noticed a pain in my upper rib cage in my back. And yes I'm sure that a lot of this is tied into my drug addiction. I try to remain sober but as all adicts do I am not perfect and do occasionally fall off the wagon. I wish it not true but unfortunately it is. And I can assure you that if getting high was all I am seeking there are far more easier ways to do so then to be ostrasized, attacked, and rediculed, and stereotyped by doctors, and the general public for something I didn't ask for it to become. It is far easier to score on the streets with less humiliation and embarrassment then to chase pill prescribing doctors around and a hell of a lot cheaper as well.

Hello everyone! I am new and confused. 🙂

I am now six months out from an emergency repair of an AAA with Stanford type B dissection (quite long, I'm told). I've received excellent care, but have also been left with pretty much "go home and enjoy life". I was in excellent shape when the emergency occurred, and am now off of all medications other than metoprolol for blood pressure. No warfarin, no lasix, no arrhythmia medication, etc. Having read the experiences of others here, I realize how lucky I am. At 72, I now have an Edwards LifeSciences aortic valve and lead a pretty normal life. I've returned to running (intervals on my daily walk) and to lifting light weights. But I was a competitive masters track and field athlete before the emergency, and I'd like to know more about procedures that might actually correct the dissection. That is, I'd love to return to my old lifestyle, and am willing to take some surgical risk to do such. Has anyone found a clinical trial or established procedure for going beyond "go home and enjoy life" status? Thanks, in advance, for any pointers. Lucky and grateful, Rick

Canadian drugs (including blood thinners – I take xarelto – are MUCH cheaper.) I pay $135 for a 3 month supply! I see there is now a generic for only a fraction of that (and other meds too). Mailing is $10-15.

It is disgraceful what big pharma does to us!!
Here is one economic pharmacy (they price match). If you want to search yourself just make sure you only order from a CIPA approved list. (CIPA.com)

Good luck!! Your story was heartbreaking.
https://www.medicationscanada.com/

check my post a bit below yours - I accidentally posted it there and it was intended for you.
About how to get meds MUCH cheaper.

(Also ck thread in AFIB group)

Admins won't let me cut and paste it here too.

So hoping you get help!

Hi.
I'm made this account specifically to ask questions about this topic, and/or to speak to real people with knowledge/experience of Aortic Dissections.

I will start with some context.
I'm a "relatively" healthy male, 26 years old.
Not fit but not obese.
I have diagnosed PTSD & Panic Disorder (this'll be important later)
Physically I have a sinus arythmia, asthma & chronic pain from Scoliosis/Unequal Leg Length.

Now, I have become almost completely ruled by fear involving Aortic Dissection. The anxiety I've experienced after learning about them has made my psychological health immeasurably worse.
I am unable to be treated for my anxiety, and so that avenue is closed to me for now.
My question(s) have to do with more specific things about Aortic Dissection than doctors I've met in person & the internet are able or willing to explain (every doctor just says I'm too young and to get my anxiety treated which, I mean I would if I could)

I suffer, regulary, from intense bouts of acute chest and back pain. Out of nowhere, my left pectoral will feel as though I've been stabbed, my left, right, middle AND lower back as well.
I'm currently dealing with a bout of moderate pinpoint upper back pain that comes and goes and when it comes is pretty bad though not terrible. Same with my chest.
I cannot stop worrying about "well what if this time I ignore it and the worst comes to pass" etc. however nearly all the symptoms for Aortic Aneurysm save loss of conciousness, I 'seem' to feel every so often.

Is there anyone who has survived one of these harrowing Aneurysms? Anyone who knows someone who has?

Because the idea of differentiating these, sometimes excruciating pains, from aortic danger seems to be frustratingly abstract for many.

Is the pain so severe that you'd definitely notice?
Does dizzyness always come with it?
Can the pain come and go?
Could it be confused with Iliocostalis Thoracis pain or even Costochondritis?
My goal here is to converse with anyone who's knowledgeable at all on this topic. Someone/anyone who'll be willing to share thier information or maybe answer some questions.

I apologize for the long post, and I don't mean to seem disrespectful about the severity of Aortic Dissection by not having one and putting my post in it's group. I'm not familiar with or used to online forums in general.
However I have no insurance and cannot drive myself to doctors often, when I am lucky enough to be driven by a friend as soon as they hear/ read 'Anxiety Disorder' I'm brushed aside with no effort further put in. Just "have a xanax and leave".
It's maddening.
I would simply get screened or even get my heart evaluated if I was able but my local hospital doesn't even have the equipment for a stress test, much to my cardiologists annoyance.

I plan on saving up to try to have what's causing my pains looked in to but I wish I could just be screened for Aneurysm just to rule it out and end this 2 year constant fear.

Either way and regardless of replies, thank you for reading.
I hope you all are safe and well.
Thanks for your time.

Hi @redhound and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry to hear that you have anxiety surrounding this diagnosis. You will see that I added your post to a discussion talking about aortic dissection. I did this so you can connect with the different members who have actually had an aortic dissection like @realitytest, @rickh2, @lorettat, and @cobweb

Can you share what started this intense fear of aortic dissection?