AAA and back pain

[SilverSurfer20]

Hi folksPosting this question again as I'm not sure it posted first time round. I've got an abdominal aortic aneurysm (5.2cm) with a bicuspid aortic valve and am due to have surgery in about 6 weeks time.

I've been getting flank and back pain and have had every test imaginable to try and determine the reason. No medoc has yet suggested that it could be a direct result of my enlarging AAA.

Has anybody here experienced back / side pain with a large AAA?

hope you can help

Cheers

Dean

[Cliff_G]

Hi Dean,

Although it's different from a AAA, I had an enlarged ascending aorta and arch, which eventually dissected. I did experience some pain twice before, though it was years before, the dissection. I do know from a group I'm in that a few people (similarly post-AD) had pains prior to dissecting, in the weeks or even days before. None of this can be proven, of course, that they were associated with the aorta, though as with you there was no other obvious explanation. So overall, I'm not convinced that all ADs and all AAAs are asymptomatic before an event, as the conventional wisdom says.

This doesn't, I guess, help you a lot, as the obvious question is what to do. As your surgery is imminent, it's basically about managing it, both the pain and the AAA. I trust your blood pressure is well under control (120/80 or less - not the usual 140/90 before they will treat). I would definitely avoid anything which would raise your BP such as lifting or vigorous exercise, and with surgery weeks away I suggest you could be strict about this. Stress will also do it, and can contribute to all sorts of bodily problems, so try and avoid stress as much as possible, and do some deep breathing and progressive relaxation exercises. You wouldn't be unusual if you were somewhat stressed about the upcoming operation. As for the pain, I suggest you use paracetamol (assumingbyou can take this ok) at the maximum dose (2 tablets 4 times a day), and do it continuously. It's no good only taking it when the pain is at its worst. There is an expression used on this: don't wait for the pain. Continuous painkiller cover is the best way, and don't stop immediately if the pain goes.

Are you having the bicuspid valve done as well? BAV has an association with thoracic aortic enlargement, and pain from that area can radiate as you have described. Have you had any scans of your thoracic aorta? With the aorta, it's essential to have the whole aorta scanned.

Best wishes

[SilverSurfer20 in reply to Cliff_G]

Thanks for getting back Cliff. Very measured advice. My BP and all my vital signs are good. The valve will be repaired at the same time and I think there's dilation of the aortic root which is in the thoracic area. I'll drop my cardio an email and maybe this will prompt them to give me a date. As you say, if these are pte dissection symptoms then it needs doing sooner rather than later. The pain isn't crippling, more a gnawing nagging ache. More like a stitch or cramp which is aggravated by movement, but which dissipates when I'm resting.

Thanks once again for your sage advice

Dean

[Cliff_G in reply to SilverSurfer20]

Great. The "gnawing nagging ache" is exactly how my pain (7 then 5 years before dissection) was, in the place where my surgeon later found a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The pains I had receded after about 5 to 10 days of doing very little.

[SilverSurfer20]

Thanks again Cliff