All Blog Posts (135)

Hi all

I went to the hospital today for my latest check up. The news was both good and not so good. The Consultant checked my CT scan and confirmed what we already knew ie that the descending dissection was clearly still there,but that the diameter of the aortic arch (descending ) was 4.4. He said that further surgery would be required when it reached 5, The good news is that it could take 10 years to grow to that size although it could be a lot quicker. He ended the consultation by…

November 10th 2011 . It was an average Thursday for me. Nothing out of the ordinary that morning until I decided to step outside for a quick cigarette (I know, it's a terrible habit! But this was one hell of a way to stop!!). As I went to light said cigarette I had a sharp pain in my lower back. For a moment, I thought that I'd pulled a muscle in my back, then, very quickly, I realised that it was something more serious as the pain spread rapidly up my spine to my chest. I have never…

Where to start ?!  I am a female 10 year survivor of a thoracic dissection.  I am 61 now.  I was just told a few weeks ago that I have an abdominal aneurysm that is being followed.  I was not happy to hear that as obviously my cardiologist had decided that I did not need to know !  My troubles evidently started at birth....I was born with a very audible heart murmur.  This was commented on every time my heart was listened to.  This evidently was precursor of what was to come.  Also my dad…

Happy Holidays to all my Heart Friends. I wish you and your families a meaningful one. My prayers are with those of you facing adversity.

-Benjamin

Hello Folks,

Back in May of 2010, I was on a business trip in Brazil, a country I had spent a good part of my life in. I was engaged to be married that December to a wonderful woman, and was quite happy. The following is what has been told to me as I have no memory of the events. I began feeling strange and called my fiance who told…

January of this year, my husband and I were in FL.  I  returned home on a Friday, the following Monday, he called me at work from a local ER - there was good news and bad news he said....the good news was he didn't appear to be having a heart attack, the bad news was they weren't sure what was happening.  I told him he would be fine (that's what I wanted to believe) and he said they were getting ready to transport him to a larger hospital, about an hour away.

(My husband had gained…

Well today is my youngest daughter's sixth birthday, and we know what that means.  It is also my six year anniversary of my dissection.  Of course I just had to make that announcement and celebrate with my family here too. *hugs* to all of you.

Kimberlee

Hello everyone and thank you for welcoming me into this site.  I was searching on the internet for someone, anyone, who could even remotely understand what I am going through. I will try to be brief...  I was a 55yo female, massage therapist and esthetician living with my fiance in Los Angeles. The weekend of July 18, 2011 we had gone to Solvang for fun, casino, nice dinners, etc...  I started having pain in my upper abdomen radiating into my back.  We cut our weekend short and headed back…

I bought myself a new bike.

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

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

Hello to all you fine people.

I have read many stories or posts here, over the last month or so. Was glad to see that people from different Countries were members and posting here since I didn't really find any active boards for the US.



I'll be 60 in Feb 2012, here is what brought me to sign up here, though it is the latest of Diagnoses on the chain.



I was diagnosed with a 5.27 cm Aortic Root Dilation and moderate dilatation of Ascending Aorta, by Echo at the…

I put off going to a recommended physical therapy place by a friend who helped me through my first surgery, because I did research online and found a pain clinic that sounded like a fit for me.  I'm still trying to deal with post surgery effects - especially my sciatic nerve and my legs.  I'm 12 weeks post, have cut down to 1 or 2 pain pills a day from the original 12 - back on the treadmill (granted not more than 2.4 at this point for a half hour) but it gets my blood flowing and helps me…

i be told im unususal if it hadnt been that i moved areas r had a scan id be dead. I ws only 41 years old in 2005, told things as in my head. when moved areas got new doctor. was having bowel problems. they found a 5.5 aneurysm nr my kidneys. told i had to have a operation graft my aorta. r die. it wasn't  a choice. my kidneys was removed & reattached. it took 5 hours. 3 weeks in hospital.a scar makes me look like a cardigan zip.the look on health proffesional faces. i met for the first…

I forgot to say, the doctor checked my husbands pulse in his left and right groin and said they were both good and strong. He is medically managed (AD type B) and is still well controlled regards his BP. I just feel so scared for him

Went to see the doctor last night, and he thinks the pain at the top of the right leg could be related to my husbands AD. He said he will contact his Consultant, but obviously now my hubby is thinking really bad stuff about his leg....poor circulation/risk of losing his leg......we tried to go for a short walk today, but once again 200 yards and he was in so much pain. Other than this, my husband feels quite well, he is sleeping better and has a good appetite. Everything is OK when he is…

Hi everyone.

My hubby had AD type B ten weeks ago. He is managing his BP very well and resting a lot. We are both trying to be very positive and just plod through each day. Yesterday we went for a walk, and during this he complained of hip/thigh (his right one) aching a lot, so we came home quick. Is it usual? His BP when we got home was 113/58, so that seemed OK.

1 year ago today I had my AD, now I am survivor who has made his first year. Thanks to Graeme and all who frequent this site for their time, support and wisdom in helping all who come here seeking answers. A little glass of the red nectar to night I think, to toast the next 30 years!…

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.…

It is now 12 months since my arch replacement, so time to meet with my consultant at Southampton General yesterday for a check up. Having had my MRI scan taken 5 weeks ago I was somewhat nervous as to what it would show, not only of the arch graft itself but also that rest of my aorta was OK. I was so relieved to be told and shown on the scans that everything was really fine! The Dacron graft was looking very good and had now been covered in my own tissue; he suspected that a new, smooth,…

Do any of you, or did any of you remember having such tiring back/spinal chord pain after your surgery? 

I have reached that point in my healing process.

I know from having to sleep in a chair and such doesn't help, and the fact they cut thru my core muscles contributes, but I'm finding my pain meds do nothing to alleviate this issue.  I have tried icing my lower back and even tried lying slightly on my right side just to take the tension off my back.

Do any of you have…