Celiac Artery Aneurysm: Anyone else with same illness?

Hi! My husband Greg was diagnosed last August with a celiac trunk aneurysm of 1.2 in size that has shown growth from previous scans. He has a lot of esophageal pain and difficulty swallowing so it is hard to determine where his pain is coming from. He is in the “watch and see” phase now but recently also having a weird “shocking or twinge type pain in his lower right rib cage area” - any connection?

Hello @auntbrenda44

I've been thinking about you. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery last Friday. When you feel up to it, will you please post an update?

I will definitely pray for you, @auntbrenda44.

Dear Teresa, thank you very much for your kindness. I welcome and am grateful for prayers. Blessings to you.

@auntbrenda44,

I'm so glad that you felt comfortable enough to make a decision.
Thank you for letting me know. I'll be thinking of you on Friday and I'd be happy to pray for you if that is OK with you.

Hi Teresa. My surgery is scheduled for this Friday. It will be an open repair. Thank you for your encouragement and comforting thoughts. I sincerely appreciate it.

@auntbrenda44 I so appreciate the update. I'm glad that you are in the home stretch in terms of scheduling your surgery and having a resolution to your problem.

I can understand how you made your decision to have open surgery. I'll be interested in hearing the opinion of the doctor you will see for your second opinion.

It seems to me that you have looked at these options and you feel that open surgery will be a good solution and will avoid other surgeries in the future. Is that correct?

While my previous surgeries were for a different diagnosis, I also spent 5 - 7 days in the hospital with an NG tube as well. That seems to be typical for surgery involving the upper digestive tract.

How is your health in general? Do you have any heart, kidney, untreated blood pressure problems?

I would like to follow your progress. Please keep in touch.

Hello Teresa. I hope that this finds you and all well. To update, I have been told that my median arcuate ligament is pressing on the celiac artery and aneurysm. My surgeon advises that both she and one of her vascular surgeon partners will perform my surgery. This week she informed me that her third partner was advocating that I undergo an endovascular rather than open surgical procedure. She requested that I obtain a second opinion. Although I have scheduled a second opinion for this Friday, I feel firm in that I want to go ahead with the open procedure because the endovascular will not permanently eradicate the aneurysm and cut at the median arcuate ligament to alleviate the pressure. Although of course I am not keen on an extensive surgical procedure and the associated risks of any major surgery, the thought of possibly having to undergo future surgery(ies), at a later age (I am presently 61) is far more negative for me. It is hoped that I will have surgery within the next 2 weeks. I am told that I will likely be hospitalized for 5-7 days, spend first 2 days in ICU with tube in nose to allow large intestine to recover. Once home it sounds highly unlikely that I will need the originally stated 6-8 week recovery (I am cautiously optimistic on this) and only 2 weeks without driving. I would be so grateful to hear from any people who read this and have experience with this surgery. Many thanks.

Saccharomyces Boulardii Hi am trying to find latest comments.... have been recommended this by Naturopah laste week in Canada.
I have had radiation damage to bowel many years ago, IBS=D, C.DIFF 2018 and since then fecal incontinence. I take Imodium as needed which is probably one full pill every other day and half a pill the day in between but still many messes, diet is poor.

My question, as I dont see Naturopath for a month:
Can I, or should I, still take Imodium on the same days (all) I take Saccaromyces Boulardi? Or do I give up the Imodium and see how the Saccharomyces Boulardii works?

As an aside I was upset, just found an OLD doctor file sitting here at home and read when he did colonoscopy in 2008 both he and my family doctor said all ok...that radiation damage from 1985 had healed; then I read that at a certain point in my bowel I had some Diverticulitis!!!!!!
Would have been nice if they had told me? Would this have caused all my bowel problems since that time? Upset.

Now I am slated for a surgeon to do a colonoscopy mid June I have never met him, arranged via referral from emerge clinic as have no fam. dr. and a form to fill in and BRING TO APPOINTMENT... and he knows nothing about my other illnesses...wont until the day I have test done and only then he sees my replies to all the questions: whats going on here? What if he sees something that stops the test or ??

I am 77 and would have preferred an mri of abdomen but another gastro office I phoned said our hospital cannot afford to do them, so its a colonoscopy. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, AGAIN

Hello @auntbrenda44, I'm so pleased to hear from you again. I'm glad that Connect is helpful to you. After going through surgeries myself I know how important it is to be able to share your concerns.

I certainly understand your desire to be at home where you are more comfortable. I would encourage you, however, to reach out for help after your surgery. After my major surgeries (which required a 7-day hospital stay) it was really important to have someone nearby who could help me. You will probably know more about the help you will need when you are discharged from the hospital.

Will you post again after your appointment on the 24th?