4.8 - Ugh

Posted by cdt55 @cdt55, Sep 10 7:54am

Hi. This is a club that I prefer not to be a member of, but I am now. C’est la vie. I went for a calcium CT scan and lo and behold. My calcium score was great, but they found a 4.8 AAA. I wasn’t really too surprised, considering my father had an abdominal aneurysm that they only discovered when it was 11cm (The largest one they ever saw in the hospital that hadn’t burst). He survived. I’m now going to start going through an echo of my abdominal aorta and then a stress test. Reading some of your stories have greatly reduced my stress levels (I’m 69 and very active – working out with weights three days a week – which I’ve stopped for now) as well as being able to share what I’m going through. It may be odd to say, but I’m happy I found this group and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and thoughts with you all.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

pamela78 | @pamela78 | Sep 15 1:12pm

A couple of folks have told me to go ahead and replace my 20 yr. old Toyota. I think I'll give it to my grandson and get me a "new" used car. I appreciate your advice about the groceries. I ask for lighter bags and help putting them into my car. I also use handicapped bathrooms. Why not? I'm 78. Age has its perks. As for you, get off the social media, save Netflix for evenings, and take a walk everyday. That's my routine and my advice. Do it for three days and see how you feel. Even better, do it for a week. You'll be surprised. Do you have a nice place to walk?

glendamn | @glendamn | Sep 16 6:35pm

In reply to @reg72 "So was it more CT scans and watchful waiting?" + (show)

yes Dr Brown ordered another CT this past June, measurements moved from 4.2 to 4.4 . So he basically said another scan in the new year. This waiting sucks, wish I could managed to snag a cardiologist as well. Gonna have to get slightly assertive. I think you have a very good Dr in St John. Let me know how your wait times are???

reg72 | @reg72 | Sep 18 3:35pm

In reply to @glendamn "yes Dr Brown ordered another CT this past June, measurements moved from 4.2 to 4.4 ...." + (show)

So SJ called today and moved the file for the third time. It’s Dr. Stevenson with the file now. Going to call tomorrow to see what the ETA on the CT.

Waiting is super frustrating. I’ll let you know on the wait time asap.

houston13 | @houston13 | Sep 18 9:10pm

In reply to @cdt55 "An ascending aortic aneurysm normal size is 3.8 cm diameter. When it reaches 5.5 cm, you..." + (show)

The decision about when to have surgery depends on several factors, of course the size but also the body size, growth rate, family history, your general phsysical fitness, etc. they discovered mine while getting leg fracture surgery from an MTB accident, I was 54 (I'm 59 now) and the aneurysm was 5.2 , I had the surgery 3 months after leg surgery (they want you walking right after so I had to wait until I could walk with my broken leg, otherwise I would have had it immediately). The surgeon recommended to have the surgery as soon as I was able.

cdt55 | @cdt55 | Sep 28 11:29am

In reply to @cdt55 "BTW, I have an ascending aortic aneurysm not an abdominal one (but I go for that..." + (show)

Hi. As an update. Had my echo stress test, all good. They measured my AAA and it came in at 4.02 CM whereas the CT scan showed 4.8cm. I believe the CT is more accurate. My cardiologist said I might need an angiogram to check my other arteries, but my calcium CT scan was zero. Anyone hear about needing an angiogram? BTW, I see a surgeon next week. To be continued…

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