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

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Medical Breakthrough - The Future for AD Repair maybe?

Started Jun 20, 2012

Quick Reference - BP Medication

HI,Here is a table outlining the most common BP medications, what they do & any side effects. Hope you find it useful.RgdsHarryalso downloadable here -…Continue

Started Jan 20, 2012

Bringing Down High Blood pressure Guide - Enclosed

Hi All,The main risk to us all is elevated / high Blood Pressure.I found this very useful guide for mananaging BP, if nothing else its informative & may help you. Please download the file from…Continue

Started Jan 19, 2012

New Year Resolutions anyone?
4 Replies

HI,thought we should have some light heartedness for a change. Any New Years resolutions people want to share?Mine was “New Year New Me”Maybe run a marathon or two, swim the channel & eat and…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Harry Jan 12, 2012.

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Harry posted a discussion

Medical Breakthrough - The Future for AD Repair maybe?

Hi All,I heard about this a few mornings ago on an early morning show on Radio 5. I know there had been developments in this new area of Medicine, but more around organ replacement. The article below is about Vein replacement from a deceased person – with no rejection!The Doctor on the radio mentioned that there was no reason to look at larger artery replacement such as the Aorta, but the whole science is in its infancy (maybe not if they are this far ahead). Yes there are likely to be a myriad…See More

Jun 20, 2012

0 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

Rear Left Should Pain

Hi all,Some of you may be aware I had a Dacron fitted last August. Since then I have been recovering well & have returned to work, all be it on a part time basis.My left rear shoulder is still causing me issues. I know the tissues probably haven’t had enough time to heal with possible nerve damage so I get a throbbing pain below the shoulder blade. This is mainly after doing something or on my walks. The Physiotherapist says the muscle is wasted & I have tried to do their suggested…See More

Jun 13, 2012

5 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

Healing times & suggestions?

Hi AllAfter my first opp, repair of the descending arch & valve, it took a good 8/9 months to start to feel normal again.This time around I had a Dacron implant from the rear of the left shoulder.The healing is going well after seven months, but it’s not back to normal yet. I still feel pain along the scar & general tissue / muscle ache, especially after exercise, & wondered generally how long it’s taken you.Are there any herbal remedies or exercises you have undertaken that have…See More

Mar 26, 2012

3 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

6 Month All clear

HI All,Glad to say I had my 6 month post operative review last week & have been give then all clear, now requiring only annual check ups again.It’s been a very tough but I can get my life back on track & go back to work in April. More pleaseing I have seen the stress levels lifting from my family, especially my wife since the news.Each day is still a challenge & never the same, but each day I count my blessings & am thankful to be here.Life can only go one way from now & I…See More

Mar 5, 2012

6 Comments

Harry posted discussions

Jan 20, 2012

Harry posted a discussion

New Year Resolutions anyone?

Jan 6, 2012

4 Comments

Harry posted a discussion

Medication - Help or Hindrance your thoughts?

I would like to understand your experience/ effects of the medications you’re on.I for one I am on 6 different pills (far too many in my opinion) for blood pressure control, blood thinners, heart rate management, cholesterol control etc. On top of this I also take pain killers, add this to the vitamins etc & I swear I rattle when I walk.Whilst I appreciate the “absolute” need to medication I can’t help but think it has a detriment to my day to day existence. For example while I am trying to…See More

Nov 24, 2011

7 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

Tens Machine anyone?

HI All, I have been thinking about using a Tens Machine to help control some of the shoulder & back pain I get. I know it’s not advisable for heart patience but I have had the OK from my surgeon & was wondering if anyone else uses or has tried one?Your thoughts/comments appreciated. ThankHarrySee More

Oct 16, 2011

7 Comments

Harry posted a discussion

Useful AD site lots of info

HI All, you may find the enclosed Aortic Dissection site useful, has lot of information & links. http://aorticdissection.com/ RgdsHarry See More

Sep 16, 2011

1 Comment

Harry posted a discussion

Good News

HI, Just came back from my post surgery review (4 weeks) with the surgeon. All the tests & scans are OK & he was very pleased with my recovery. He said most people would still be Hospital, but there again my age being (10-20 years) younger then the average AD sufferer has helped. The pain in my shoulder is due to a nerve which needs knitting with all the other tissues & I am assured it will go away, but going back on Tramadol for a few weeks. My voice is down to a paralysed vocal…See More

Sep 8, 2011

3 Comments

Harry posted a discussion

Loss of Speech- Can anyone help please?

Hi, Almost a month has past since my Dacron implant.Unfortunately the surgeon said my vocal chords were exposed for a long time during surgery and there is some damage, which could heal on its own or will need intervention from an ENT Specialist.Has anyone lost their voice after a similar procedure & if so what was the cure etc? I thought I could manage, but 4 weeks later I am struggling to manage loosing my voice. ThanksHarrySee More

Sep 5, 2011

6 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

Almost 3 weeks post surgery at what price?

In a few days I will be three weeks post opp number two. The things I am finding hardest are the various levels of discomfort & lack of sleep. Next week they want me to reduce my meds to just use paracetamol – are they mad? I can just about manage the pain levels now. My shoulder, where they opened me up, has just about healed, but it’s a constant source of discomfort & I can’t sit up for long, nor can I twist. The worst is my left lung, which they collapsed, & now I can’t stop…See More

Aug 26, 2011

9 Comments

Cheryl Kerber left a comment for Harry

"I saw you were online last night when I was on which let me know you were there. I totally understand the lack of focus (5 weeks out it's getting better) and then pain, well, it gets better, but it just changes and gets me psychologically…"

Aug 18, 2011

Harry posted a blog post

Post Operative Update

HI all, finally a few, limited, moments on the PC - wifes orders! I came home on the 16th after the second opp & will write about this later. Can't thank all the staff, nurses pre & post opperative teams & of course my surgeon at the Royal Brompton! My family & friends and of course all the people who have supported my on this site/blog. Life is truly worth living, even in this emotional & phyical state I feel. Coming home was like being re born & worth the fight now…See More

Aug 18, 2011

2 Comments

Harry posted a blog post

STILL HERE

IT HAPPEND IN TIME27CM DACRON AND 13:5 hrs. told i had about three weeks leftout tomorrow and will udate on a decent pcSee More

Aug 15, 2011

4 Comments

Harry posted a discussion

Opp failed gain - why Me?

HI,as an update the second procedure failed on the operating table. The Anaesthetist was trying to perform a lumber puncture & gave up after the eighth time. Had they continued they said I may have had paralysis.Again I woke up in the ICU & again I thought it had happened. You can’t fault the level of care from the nurses & staff and within a day I was allowed home.Needless to say I am very disappointed, my resolve is weakening & I feel it harder to cope then ever.This whole…See More

Jul 3, 2011

10 Comments

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Harry's Blog

Rear Left Should Pain

Hi all,

Some of you may be aware I had a Dacron fitted last August. Since then I have been recovering well & have returned to work, all be it on a part time basis.

My left rear shoulder is still causing me issues. I know the tissues probably haven’t had enough time to heal with possible nerve damage so I get a throbbing pain below the shoulder blade. This is mainly after doing something or on my walks. The Physiotherapist says the muscle is wasted & I have tried…

Continue

Posted on June 13, 2012 at 19:07 — 5 Comments

Healing times & suggestions?

Hi All

After my first opp, repair of the descending arch & valve, it took a good 8/9 months to start to feel normal again.

This time around I had a Dacron implant from the rear of the left shoulder.The healing is going well after seven months, but it’s not back to normal yet. I still feel pain along the scar & general tissue / muscle ache, especially after exercise, & wondered generally how long it’s taken you.

Are there any herbal remedies or exercises you…

Continue

Posted on March 26, 2012 at 20:35 — 3 Comments

6 Month All clear

HI All,

Glad to say I had my 6 month post operative review last week & have been give then all clear, now requiring only annual check ups again.

It’s been a very tough but I can get my life back on track & go back to work in April. More pleaseing I have seen the stress levels lifting from my family, especially my wife since the news.

Each day is still a challenge & never the same, but each day I count my blessings & am thankful to be…

Continue

Posted on March 5, 2012 at 18:51 — 6 Comments

Tens Machine anyone?

HI All,

I have been thinking about using a Tens Machine to help control some of the shoulder & back pain I get. I know it’s not advisable for heart patience but I have had the OK from my surgeon & was wondering if anyone else uses or has tried one?

Your thoughts/comments appreciated.

Thank

Harry

Posted on October 16, 2011 at 14:41 — 7 Comments

Comment Wall (3 comments)

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At 13:13 on August 18, 2011, Cheryl Kerber said…: I saw you were online last night when I was on which let me know you were there. I totally understand the lack of focus (5 weeks out it's getting better) and then pain, well, it gets better, but it just changes and gets me psychologically more now beyond just the surgery pain.

I'm hoping that you are able to walk (I know it's hard at first) but I think that is why I ended up with blood clots from having to lay flat for 3 days due to the lumbar drain and all the platelets they pumped into me due to how much blood they needed to transfuse --- I think my body could only handle so much.

Do please post as I'd like to hear more about what they repaired for you - how the future prognosis is and such. They are still having me see specialists to figure out why this happened as the obvious reasons aren't there - like Marfans, smoking, and they always ask if I have had Syphilis (spelling of I'm not sure). They can't even say it was my 4 pregnancies. Oh well - right? I'm just glad to be here and on this end of the surgery (I'm saying that as I'm 2 hours into my pain pills). I was hoping to cut back on them, but my body is just not ready and I would rather listen to my body than go crazy in my head.

Take care Harry and I'm so glad you are here!!!!

Cher

At 3:54 on March 31, 2011, Kimberlee Jones said…: Welcome Harry, happy to have you with us. Feel free to ask any questions you like or join any existed conversation!

*hugs*
Kimberlee

At 20:19 on March 30, 2011, Graeme said…: Hi Harry

and welcome to the AD forum! Don't be afraid to ask any questions or make any comments...we are all here to help one another - and you!

cheers

Graeme Archer

Founder