URGENT!!!!!! Type 2 Endoleak

[RubyWitch]

I am a 63 y/o woman and had an AAA repaired in July of this year. At my one month post-op exam, which included a CT with dye scan, my vascular surgeon told me everything look excellent but I did have a Type 2 Endoleak. He seemed totally unconcerned and simply said they would be watching it at my regular check ups. Being a busy surgeon, he did not have time to answer my questions. After he hung up I just stared at the phone and thought "This guy just told me that I am basically bleeding internally but that was just fine and dandy, not to worry, have a good day, bye bye." I did the worst thing possible and got on the Net to research this. Now I am totally freaked out..........haven't slept a wink in 3 nights afraid I'm going to bleed to death. Has anyone else had this? Still have it and you're still alive? Should I see another doctor? Is this normal? Common? Where is the blood going? I'm really scared and need some answers before I go insane! Please help. Thank you so much.

[skydnsr]

You're welcome, RubyWitch.  I panicked at first, reading that I was going to be receiving your records, but it's clear now that you meant the Cleveland Clinic doctor who responded.  I do think it would be a good idea for you to get a second opinion.  I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

[RubyWitch]

Sorry, Toots.................trying to figure out how this place works. I did copy and paste this to the doctor who responded and I thank you for alerting me.
Fondly
RubyWitch

[RubyWitch]

I will be sending my reports and CT scans to you for your opinion. My vascular surgeon may be a genius in the OR and probably saved my life, but he tossed out in passing, after the surgery, that I have a Type 2 Endoleak and then just left me hanging. I asked him many questions which he didn't have time to answer, so I'm left wondering if I'm bleeding to death internally? Does this need to be repaired? Where is the blood I'm leaking going? Should I be aware of any dangerous symptoms? I'm scared and have tried to speak to him numerous times for further information, but so far, one month later, I've heard nothing. I AM seeking a second opinion because I can't sleep and I'm a nervous wreck. I really appreciate your offer of looking at my chart, but I can't pay you. I live on a fixed income and have no idea how I'm going to pay the small fortune I now owe the hospital community.  

[skydnsr]

A Cleveland Clinic surgeon has responded to your post.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Aneurysm/endoleak/show/2323766

[skydnsr]

I don't usually respond to posts that I don't know the answer to, but because you are so worried, I'm going to advise you to call the doctor's office on Monday and ask to talk to a nurse or physician's assistant who can answer a question for you.  If this is something as routine as what the doctor acted like it was, then a staff member should be able to help you with it.  If you don't get a satisfactory answer, then you've got choices.  You can make an appointment to go back and talk to the surgeon face to face, or you can make an appointment with another doctor.  If you have a good PCP, that person should be a good resource for you.  Before consulting another doctor, though I would get a copy of my records, including any imaging, to take with me to the appointment.  The next doctor that you  talk to will need to have something to look at, in order to answer your questions.  I'm quite sure that if you were at death's door, the surgeon would have taken action, but I do understand your concern.  You deserve to have your fears relieved.  The surgeon really should not have said something like that to you without explaining it, in my opinion.  Good luck, and keep us posted.