Anyone ever had or have an abdominal aorta aneurysm?

[sinkingfeeling]

I have been having right hip/leg pain and numbness since mid-October. They thought it was a pinched sciatic nerve. I've been on Gabapentin since then. I started with 100mg. 3 times a day and am now taking 1800mg. a day. I don't think anything has improved. While I was in SE Asia, I took a variety of pain meds provided by my international traveling companions. Some were high dose and they kept me going. However, since I came home I was taking just Aleve. Anyway, after a visit with my PCP last Wednesday, she sent me to an orthopedic doctor. He ordered x-rays of my back.

He told me my spine and disks looked good for my age. But later, another doctor viewed the x-rays and found what he called an aneurysmal dilatation of the abdominal aorta. Being me, I started googling the condition and became alarmed. It's like a walking time bomb. He wants either an ultrasound or CT to get a better look at it and sent the info back to my PCP. I'm now waiting for that appointment.

What can anybody who's been through this tell me? Has anyone had the surgery to correct it? The open surgery sounds gruesome. The other, less invasive version, doesn't look as effective to me. I just would like to hear from you guys.

[unweird]

1. It's a killer

Mother-in-law died from this. Doctor said even if she had been on operating table when it occurred there would have been nothing to be done to rescue her.

Good luck getting this resolved.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Yes, almost always fatal if they rupture. Guess I'm lucky that

this doctor saw it on spinal x-ray.

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. No, but my father did and survived it.

His was discovered by accident. At the time, it wasn't ready for surgery, but he had to have it checked out regularly. After about six months, he was told it was time to operate. I won't lie, it was scary.

The surgery was long, maybe five hours, but this was 40 years ago and there was no less-invasive procedure. Afterwards he spent time in the ICU. It took him time to recover, but he lived another 10 years until end-stage kidney disease got him.

Best of luck with whatever option you choose.

[ms liberty]

4. I cannot offer you any advice. But I can send you hugs and vibes.

please keep us updated!

[Historic NY]

5. Yes I have

Mine was discovered while trying what was wrong with my back also. The Workmans Comp Dr ordered an MRI. It was manageable back coming up on 20 yrs ago the surgery was extensive. My Surgeon wanted to watch and wait as techniques improved, he was skilled but watchful waiting meant 3x a year scans, from Cat, MRI and Sonograms. It would have to be a 4cm or above for immediate surgery then. If its slow growing w/o symptoms, they like to wait. He called me back in 2015 and said the time is now, it was about 9 yrs after the discovery. They used the Endovascular Repair technique vs open surgery. I still have to have yearly MRIs to check for leakage. It was a couple of months then before they removed the staples and stitches. So frequent dressing changes were necessary. I wasn't supposed to do any heavy lifting for some time. When it first was found, I began an exercise routine (power walking) to lose weight and stopped smoking. This slowed the growth. So now in 2023 the techniques have advanced more. I was on the table for about 6hrs then and then recovery. My Dr got me out of the hospital within a day or two.

The Triple a, could have caused the back pain. Mine was not totally related to it as I had busted up the left ankle and femur in a fall which also cause a hip and related injury to the right leg. That was never really repair and acts up occasionally requires thing pain management can't do. The best advice if this is a watch and wait period is to get as healthy as possible.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Thanks for your story.

[Historic NY]

11. This happened when I was 47, 20 yrs on and all is good.

Good luck..

[MiHale]

6. Watch out for yourself...

Yes I had a rather large one, it warranted close to immediate action. I had to live with that time bomb knowledge for about a month. Didn’t know before thank the stars. A burst aorta is what took out John Ritter of Three’s Company fame. I could see mine beating right below my sternum like a second

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I had a stent put in the artery, all went well. I received a Gore Excluder endoprosthesis at U of M hospital in Ann Arbor. I was referred there by the VA hospital next door.

Don’t be a hero doing stuff they tell you that you shouldn’t like picking up more than 10 pounds. My VA doctor did a great job ‘scaring’ me into compliance.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Thanks for your input.

[2naSalit]

7. Sounds scary...

DO take care, all can send are hugs... But I have a lot of them.

[Deb]

8. My husband did

Ask your PCP to send you to a well-respected Vascular Surgeon in your area.

The Surgeon closely watched my husband for 2yrs before deciding to repair his AAA as it showed signs of growth. It was repaired with angioplasty through his leg artery.
A new mesh tube was placed inside his artery to support the walls of the AAA and it has shrunk each year and now is at a normal size. He still will be tested annually. Dodged a bullet.

Do you have PAD? The Surgeon will probably check your entire system for blockages.. My hubby had a complete open arterial bypass on his leg and the AAA repair recovery was cake compared to that.

Good luck, you can do this. It is amazing what can be fixed now with shorter recovery times. We both found a reclining lift chair to be most helpful post-op.

And prunes.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Thanks.

[Lochloosa]

13. PSA! You are allowed one free ultrasound scan to detect this during your lifetime.

It's a little late for you, but everyone should get one. I don't remember the age requirement, but I just had it done. Quick and easy test. Took about 5 mins.

Everyone should ask there doctor if they are eligible for the ultrasound. Then get it done. It can save your life.

[LauraInLA]

14. I just saw your post and really hope you're doing well! My mother had an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

She had surgery a month after it was diagnosed — they didn’t want to wait but had to get the “right” surgeon. I stayed with her until the surgery because they didn’t want her to be alone. The surgery was a success and she lived for 8 years afterwards. Hers was caused by smoking!

[sinkingfeeling]

15. Well, after some more testing last year, they decided I didn't have an abdominal aortic

aneurysm. In fact, they found absolutely nothing. I can't imagine how much my insurance paid for a false alarm. But thank you for your information.

[LauraInLA]

16. Oh, wow! Well, I'm very glad you didn't have one ;) and am glad you're doing well. Take care!

[flamingdem]

17. Friend had a false alarm as well

He was even on hospice for it. Then they redid the scan. Sorry, it's not what we thought!?

So the scan/s are all important.