Any one live with an aneurysm for a long time without much growth?

Posted by kkubsky @kkubsky, Apr 16, 2023

I am trying to follow the advice of my dr and learn to live with my aneurysm. It has been about 1 1/2 yrs since it was an incidental finding on a CT. I have no idea how long it has been there or why I have it. My drs (cardiologist and surgeon) both seem to think I should go live my life, albeit with a few restrictions. I am really trying but I constantly think about the need for surgery in the future. Or if my activities are causing it to grow. Or will it dissect? I have read posts from some others that have had an aneurysm for decades without much change. It makes me wonder how long most people have lived with it, without needing surgery.

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@andytheman

Ok. I don’t know why I’m fretting so much over it. If my own personal cardiovascular surgeon says “ see you next year” I guess I should just accept that it’s not a big deal. Also, my doctor doesn’t do a yearly CT scan but his radiologist does a sonogram instead of a cat scan. Isn’t a sonogram less likely to show a good picture of my aneurysm? Especially if it’s in the celiac trunk?
( lower part of the aortic artery)?

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I would ask your doctor these questions. What may not be a big deal to one person may be so to another so these questions about your doctor's decision should be answered by him/her in an appointment. I always take a book with my questions to ensure I don't forget to ask anything which may be troubling me. Good luck!

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@booklover71

I would ask your doctor these questions. What may not be a big deal to one person may be so to another so these questions about your doctor's decision should be answered by him/her in an appointment. I always take a book with my questions to ensure I don't forget to ask anything which may be troubling me. Good luck!

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Problem is that my cardiovascular surgeon doesn’t want to see me until next January and I contacted my regular PCP and cardiologist 3 weeks ago and all went to voicemail.

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My husband has lived 13 years with them checking his aneurysm once a year and last year it had grown the size of a mustard seed.
But when they done some 3D x- rays and we found out it’s a large aneurysm
and could burst now they are going to put a stent on it for support
He has to take Plavix for at least 6 months before they will do his surgery we are in our early 60’s and I am quite concerned the Dr says we have a 95% success rate with no complications but there’s always a risk with aneurysm
They can’t say for sure with these things,

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I thought mine was 6 years but it has been more like 12 years at 4.5 and I have it checked annually without any change. Be sure to have it checked as recommended and try not to let it rule your life. I had colon cancer, then had 20 % of my right kidney removed due to kidney cancer and now have CLL which is in the wait and see stage after 5 or 6 years. All of this is nerve racking, but we have to calm ourselves and adjust to what is there. My kidney cancer has 95 % chance of not returning, colon cancer were polyps that were removed before spreading and my CLL white blood count is around 2700 with a wait and see. All of this was traumatic, but we must adapt and calm ourselves through prayer or whatever means may be your choosing.

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I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm in 2007 at 3.8 cm. Since then it has grown to about 4.3 cm. I restrict lifting to under 25 lbs, am careful about other straining type activities and just live my life. I understand that surgery to correct aneurysms isn't usually considered until the aneurysm grows to at least 5.0 or somewhat larger. I figure it has taken about 15 years to grow .5 cm, and at age 78, if the aneurysm continues to grow at this rate, I will likely die from something else and can avoid this surgery totally.

But I understand how worrisome aneurysm's are to those of us who are victims. I wish everyone peace and a happy life and a slow growing aneurysm.

Donna

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@andytheman

Deankin, in case you missed it , I did mention the size of the aneurysm. As of 3 years ago it was at 3cm. Not bad but I’m on blood thinners and I’m wondering if having the thin blood can cause it to get through the walls of the aneurysm as I have a tear in it but I don’t know how long that tear is. I’m also on a blood pressure medication and it’s doing the job of keeping my BP low so I’m not concerned about it. Why would 2 separate cardiovascular surgeons from 2 different hospitals see it and they both believe that I need to close that tear but my own cardiovascular surgeon said he didn’t see it and “see you next year “. He rushed my appointment and appeared annoyed that I would waste his time on it.

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I think I would find a new cardio. If your current cardio couldn't find the tear but two other surgeons did find the tear, your current cardio should have ordered additional tests to assure his assessment is correct. You may consider a trip to a Mayo Clinic or other teaching hospital for an assessment. The size of your aneurysm seems small but the tear is of real concern. I wish you well.

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@degarden_girl

I think I would find a new cardio. If your current cardio couldn't find the tear but two other surgeons did find the tear, your current cardio should have ordered additional tests to assure his assessment is correct. You may consider a trip to a Mayo Clinic or other teaching hospital for an assessment. The size of your aneurysm seems small but the tear is of real concern. I wish you well.

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It never hurts to get a second opinion about serious health issues, but missing a tear I mean we all make mistakes but something so serious could have cost you your life
These Doctors spend a lot of years and a lot of money learning to be the best that they can be because your life depends on it
Don’t settle for second best when your life is on the line

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@jlf2

It never hurts to get a second opinion about serious health issues, but missing a tear I mean we all make mistakes but something so serious could have cost you your life
These Doctors spend a lot of years and a lot of money learning to be the best that they can be because your life depends on it
Don’t settle for second best when your life is on the line

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I spoke with my PCP and mentioned my aneurysm concerns because it’s torn but presently not bleeding and he referred me to the same cardiovascular surgeon that blew me off the last time so I’m kind of stuck between a potential rock and a hard place.

My insurance requires an authorized referral from my PCP and all he’s done is keep recommending the doctor that blew me off then saying “I’ll see you next year “. Now what?

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@andytheman

I spoke with my PCP and mentioned my aneurysm concerns because it’s torn but presently not bleeding and he referred me to the same cardiovascular surgeon that blew me off the last time so I’m kind of stuck between a potential rock and a hard place.

My insurance requires an authorized referral from my PCP and all he’s done is keep recommending the doctor that blew me off then saying “I’ll see you next year “. Now what?

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You have the right to a second opinion
You can tell them you want a second opinion because you feel like this Doctor is not listening to your concerns about your condition
You can also tell the doctor that you don’t agree with him and he will be held responsible for any circumstances that might arise with your health do to his treatment plan for your condition and that you feel he is not answering your questions about your medical condition or your consents and that you would like a second opinion and maybe he will send you to another doctor

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@jlf2

You have the right to a second opinion
You can tell them you want a second opinion because you feel like this Doctor is not listening to your concerns about your condition
You can also tell the doctor that you don’t agree with him and he will be held responsible for any circumstances that might arise with your health do to his treatment plan for your condition and that you feel he is not answering your questions about your medical condition or your consents and that you would like a second opinion and maybe he will send you to another doctor

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Although he didn’t respond to me in his portal. I will try again later today. Usually his nurse will message me or call me by the end of the day to respond to whatever I’m concerned about but the last time I got zero responses.
It’s Saturday and he is probably not open but my message will be in there Monday although I don’t know if he will be in Monday due to the July 4th holiday. But I will message him after this response from you.
Thank You

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