Triple A

[Morritt]

Having recently been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, l would be interested to hear the experience of others who have had a similar diagnosis in the past.

[Healthyheart1]

Welcome to the forum Morritt, hopefully someone will be along soon with some advice. Sorry I can't be of any help. Just wanted to welcome you. Sheena

[Morritt in reply to Healthyheart1]

Thanks Sheena. I hope all is well with you.

Morritt

[seasider18]

What size is it and was it diagnosed from an NHS check as you are within the age range to qualify for testing.

Hopefully it is not yet very big and like most will grow very slowly. Although it's there you will never feel it or be aware of it until it suddenly becomes life threatening

Mine was 3 cm when found by chance when having a scan for something else. That was 2003 when I was 69. I have annual scans and it is now 4.4 cm.

At this years scan I was told at its rate of growth I will be 110 before it is a problem

Statins and BP meds can be of benefit but I stopped statins due to muscle pain. I was taking a BP med prior to it being discovered.

Avoid ever taking CIpro or Fluoroquinolone antibiotics as they can sometimes cause one to burst.

I've actually met a couple of Guys in their 90's who had successful surgery when they got to dangerous size.

My doctors parents each had one but he does not seem concerned and says that he is not yet old enough for the free NHS check.

[Morritt in reply to seasider18]

Had my first scan last week and it is 3.9cm.

Understandably l have read and re read the literature provided, and looked at stuff online. So l’m pretty up to date with the NHS protocol, but wanted to get the views of some people who had been, or were going through it. Thanks for your response.

The protocol seems fair, but if l had one criticism, it is that 12 months seems a bit of a wait, when the rate of increase, if any, has not been established. I would have been happier with say a 6 months gap immediately after diagnosis, that establishes the rate of increase and thereafter follow the protocol. That said, your experience clearly justifies the protocol, which is reassuring.

I’m on the usual BP meds and Statins, and have been for over 20 years. Interested in your comment re muscle pain, which l know is not uncommon with Statins. What form does that take - I do tend to suffer from leg cramps, particularly at night, but otherwise ok.

Thanks for the tip on antibiotics and for your response.

[seasider18 in reply to Morritt]

Actually they seem to be constantly changing their rules on checks although it is mainly based on size. Initially I had six monthly checks and then annual ones. Then it became two yearly and now back to yearly. I have only once seen a consultant and that was back in 2007 when we moved to a different area. In the past two years I have not had a letter with the years result though I have always got it from the person doing it.

There are plenty of links like this.

medpagetoday.com/publicheal...

[Rosei in reply to seasider18]

I wish someone had told me what the sise meant, I have two one going into the heart and an abdominal one, have been told that my age precludes me from having an operation on the heart one as I would die, I see it as die if you have the op and die if you don't . Thank goodness I am 85 which means I've had a long life.

[seasider18 in reply to Rosei]

What are the sizes and what symptoms do you have ?

[Rosei in reply to seasider18]

Both 3.6cm when found now 4cm as I'm 85 , I am more likely die of Covid 19.

[seasider18 in reply to Rosei]

I'm 85 as well and I don't believe the Pandemic scare stories.

[Rosei in reply to seasider18]

I think this is about aneurysms and not about the pandemic of Covid 19.

[RoyM]

Hi Morrit.

I was picked up with an ascending aorta on a routine check for another issue. This was back about three years ago. on my last check it was around 4.6cm and I will return in 6 months time for another check which is in the form of a CT and an Echo. I have no doubt I will undergo surgery at some point, perhaps not to far in the future. I feel lucky it was picked up at least I know about it and so does the surgeon who all operate at approx 5cm.

Not surgery I am looking forward to with a great amount of enthusiasm. I am male aged 72 and in all other respects quite fit.

Good luck. Roy

[Morritt in reply to RoyM]

Roy, what size was it when you were first diagnosed?

Fingers crossed that it stops getting larger, but if it does l wish you all the best if you need surgery.

[Grandma63]

I’m interested to hear others experiences of AAA. I have been referred for a scan due to having been able to feel a strong pulse in my abdomen for quite a while now and also because my dad had one which ruptured when he was 54 leading to a massive heart attack. I’ve read that women aren’t routinely screened for this problem even if there is a family connection as it seems to affect more men than women. I would’ve thought though that women with a family history of this problem should be included in the screening program, especially the ones like myself who already suffer from heart and circulation problems.

[Rosei in reply to Grandma63]

My Father died of a burst aneurism, he was 70, my aneurism was found on an echocardiogram.

[Grandma63 in reply to Rosei]

Hi, was it found in a check for something else or did you have symptoms ?

[Rosei in reply to Grandma63]

No symptoms, found on echocardiogram which I had to have after a heart attack.

[Morritt]

Grandma63, within the stuff that I was given by the screening service, there is a reference to close family members, it says:

“The risk of having an AAA increases if your brother, sister or parent has, or has had an AAA.

You should therefore inform any brother, sisters or children that your AAA means that they are also at risk. They can ask their GP about the possibility of requesting a scan at an age five years earlier than the age at which your AAA was found”

This clearly does not discriminate against women, and suggests that you are entitled to ask for a scan from the age of 49, based on your Dads AAA being found at 54.

[Grandma63 in reply to Morritt]

Hi Morritt, unfortunately it was over 30 years ago when my dad died as a result of a ruptured AAA. We had no information about the associated risk for myself and my siblings. I had no idea I was at risk until a few weeks ago when I went to see my GP regarding the pulse in my abdomen.

[Morritt in reply to Grandma63]

Your original post suggests that you’ve been waiting for a while for a scan - is that the case? If it is, and if you haven’t already, l think you need to start making a fuss about getting one done sooner rather than later.

I wish you all the best.

[RoyM]

Hi Morritt. My assending Aorta was measured at 4.5 about 4 years ago. Roy

[Grandma63]

Thank you, I have an appointment in three weeks time, just hope it’s not cancelled with all the problems the NHS are dealing with at the moment.

[Morritt in reply to Grandma63]

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.