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Aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm - The aorta - Life after an aortic dissection

Gregory Smith Male Hampshire United Kingdom: Share on Facebook

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If it's not one thing, it's another!
3 Replies

Tags: claudication, pain, leg, pressure, blood

Started this discussion. Last reply by Gregory Smith Feb 7.

Am I mad?
5 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Gregory Smith Dec 21, 2011.

Aortic Dissection Awareness programme?
9 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Graeme Nov 14, 2011.

My Story - 12 months down the line
6 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Gregory Smith Jul 12, 2011.

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If it's not one thing, it's another!

Having finally got my blood pressure down to a reasonable level (well, the level that my cardiologist recommended) I now find that I have limited blood circulation in my left leg. This is giving rise to a condition known as 'intermittent claudication' whereby I cannot walk more than a few yards before the muscles in my leg start aching unbearably. After a few minutes rest, the pain subsides and then I can continue for a few more yards. I'm wondering if there has been a problem for some time…See More

Discussion posted by Gregory Smith Jan 17

3 Comments

Am I mad?

In May 2012, less than 2 years after my Type A Aortic Dissection, and at the age of 65, I am planning a motorcycle trip to Lake Garda in Northern Italy. The trip will take about 3 days covering up to 300 miles a day. I will be staying there for about a week, then travelling back through France, visiting friends and relatives en-route. Is this sensible or am I crazy? GregSee More

Discussion posted by Gregory Smith Nov 20, 2011

5 Comments

Aortic Dissection Awareness programme?

Is there any kind of organisation in the UK dedicated to raising awareness of Acute Aortic Dissection or to raising funds for research into the condition? There are many charities and organisations for the various forms of cancer and other diseases, and there is the British Heart Foundation whose main concern is the prevention of heart disease and the care of heart attack patients, but there seems to be precious little concerning AD. Is there anything any of us can do to improve the situation,…See More

Discussion posted by Gregory Smith Oct 31, 2011

9 Comments

65th Birthday present...

I bought myself a new bike. You can see it here: http://www.aorticdissection.co.uk/photo/my-new-bike See More

Blog post by Gregory Smith Oct 26, 2011

0 Comments

newbike

Photo posted by Gregory Smith Oct 26, 2011

3 Comments

Annual Check-up

Today, I had my first annual check-up (at Southampton General) although it's actually been 15 months since my AD.CT scan OK, ECG OK, weight OK, blood sugar OK, cholesterol OK. Blood pressure is still a cause for concern since it rises during the day. It's nice and low shortly after taking my meds in the morning but by the end of the day it's much higher. The German doctor (consultant's registrar) suggested alternative medication, something new which has shown good results in trials. He will…See More

Blog post by Gregory Smith Sep 13, 2011

4 Comments

Gregory Smith replied to Graeme's discussion 'Risk Factor Identified For Acute Aortic Dissections'

So when will we be able to get our genes checked for the presence of this duplicate? Don't hold your breath...

Jun 20, 2011

Tai Chi in the Park - Free event at War Memorial Park

June 26, 2011 from 10am to 12pm

Join me on 26th June for Tai Chi In The Park. Test Valley Borough Council have kindly agreed for us to use the Romsey War Memorial Park on Sunday 26th June from 10.00 till 12.00. Come and join us. This is your chance to try out Tai chi and chat with students from a range of classes in the area.See More

Event updated by Gregory Smith Jun 17, 2011

1 Comment

Graeme commented on Gregory Smith's event 'Tai Chi in the Park - Free event'

Sounds like a good idea if any can make it - also an ideal way to meet others in the group! cheers Graeme

Jun 7, 2011

Tai Chi in the Park - Free event at War Memorial Park

June 26, 2011 from 10am to 12pm

Event posted by Gregory Smith Jun 7, 2011

1 Comment

Gregory Smith replied to Gregory Smith's discussion 'My Story - 12 months down the line'

I guess I was lucky in that I was taken to Southampton General which is rated as having the 2nd best heart unit in the country. Unfortunately, the childrens heart unit is threatened with closure as the NHS wants to have fewer units each with more…

Jun 1, 2011

Richard Deal replied to Gregory Smith's discussion 'My Story - 12 months down the line'

as perverse as it sounds i wish i had pictures of me from the week where i was in a coma after the ad. i have piecemeal from my parents about how many machines i was on on each day of that week and what the german doctors and nurses were telling…

May 31, 2011

Kev A replied to Gregory Smith's discussion 'My Story - 12 months down the line'

Hi Greg Another great story/share! - (may sound odd but reading other people's accounts of events etc has really helped me come to terms with my own recent dissection, so thanks for the share) Sounds like very good work from…

May 31, 2011

Kimberlee Jones replied to Gregory Smith's discussion 'My Story - 12 months down the line'

So most of the story up to what point is your wife's memory and not yours. I personally even after five years have no recollection from the point where they were cleaning my belly for a emergency c-section all the way until I was in my room on…

May 31, 2011

My Story - 12 months down the line

It's just coming up for 1 year since my AD and I thought it was about time to tell my story.After spending the May 2010 bank holiday weekend camping in Somerset, near Cheddar, with my wife, we returned home on May 31st. The next day, Tuesday 1st June, I spent the day at work. What happened next I know only from what my wife, Eve, tells me as I have no recollection of the events.Later that evening, around 11.30pm, as Eve was getting ready for bed, I was sitting downstairs watching television…See More

Discussion posted by Gregory Smith May 31, 2011

6 Comments

Gregory Smith commented on Tim Manning's blog post 'Three month update'

Tim, My own Ascending Aortic Dissection and repair was almost a year ago, and I have been posting updates at irregular intervals on here - see my blog. One thing I will say is that I never expected recovery to take so long but at least progress is…

May 22, 2011

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65th Birthday present...

I bought myself a new bike.

You can see it here: http://www.aorticdissection.co.uk/photo/my-new-bike

Posted on October 26, 2011 at 2:36pm

Annual Check-up

Today, I had my first annual check-up (at Southampton General) although it's actually been 15 months since my AD.

CT scan OK, ECG OK, weight OK, blood sugar OK, cholesterol OK. Blood pressure is still a cause for concern since it rises during the day. It's nice and low shortly after taking my meds in the morning but by the end of the day it's much higher. The German doctor (consultant's registrar) suggested alternative medication, something new which has shown good results in trials.…

Continue

Posted on September 13, 2011 at 4:54pm — 4 Comments

First time on the bike this year

10 months since my AD.

Went out on my BMW K100 yesterday, with Eve (wife) as pillion. First time on the bike since last summer. I may have lost a lot of things but I haven't lost the skill and joy of riding a big, fast motorbike :) Looking forward to lots more riding this year.

Posted on March 21, 2011 at 12:04pm — 1 Comment

The rehabilitation lottery

Southampton NHS, where I had my aortic surgery, runs a cardiac rehabilitation service which features an 8 week monitored course of exercise and relaxation classes. However, because I do not live in the Southampton catchment area, I do not qualify. I come under Hampshire NHS which does not seem to have a similar rehabilitation service and will not fund me to attend the Southampton one. The only option I have is the GP referral service. This should allow me to attend the local sports centre for… Continue

Posted on November 1, 2010 at 11:17am — 9 Comments

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At 8:38am on May 17, 2011, Graeme said…: Hey Greg,

god pickup on the spam! Thanks! She's toast! I usually screen them pretty thoroughly but she actually filled out false info rather than just adding asljfljlfj;lj to each line... ahh.. but as you say - you know you have made it when you get em!

cheers

Graeme

At 11:35am on July 26, 2010, Graeme said…: Hey Greg,

welcome to the Aortic Dissection Forum! As Richard said let us know a little more about yourself and do not be afraid to join in - we are all here to help one another - that's the purpose of the group! Once again - welcome and hope to see you posting soon!

cheers

Graeme Archer
Founder: Aortic Dissection Group

At 9:54am on July 26, 2010, Richard Deal said…: hey gregory,
welcome to the group! post a little bit about yourself in the blog and check out the ongoing discussions in the forums. don't be scared to post your comments or ask any questions that you think are missing.... we are all here to help one another!
take care,
r