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Vascular Dissection

Hello..
Let me first give you some background.  November 2011, my husband was diagnosed with a dissection of the celiac artery.   However, his is not just the celiac, it also incompasses the hipatic and the silatic arteries.  It is right in the intersection of the 3 arteries.  The dissection is blocking all three arteries and continues until both all of the arteries branch off.  We have been told that this is not something that can be surgerically corrected by 3 different vascular surgeons.  Their quote is "your dissection is in a VERY bad spot."  Due to this condition my husband is in a ton of pain.  His pain is in his sides and under his rib cage on each side.  We are not sure why this is since the arteries effected are in the center of the body.  He is on Fentanyl and Norco for pain with Liquid Morphine if it gets too bad.  The pain is never totally gone.  Only goes down to a 2 on the pain scale.  He has been IN PAIN for a year and a half,  Is there anything out there that can help him with the pain other than medication, and can you tell me why his pain is where it is and what is causing his pain?  I am at a loss and he is only 48.  I cannot imagine a life like he is living for the rest of his life.
Please advise and awaiting your response.

Thank you in advance,
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the explaination.  I knew about the loss of blood supply, but I really never thought of the loss of oxygen.  Pretty stupid unh.  
I really am not that stupid, but I think I was so overwhelmed that I did not think of it so simplistically.  
It has mentioned that he might be a candidate for a celiac block or killing the nerves around the arteries affected.  What do you think about this option?  
We did mention the stint option and his dissection is in a VERY bad location and they do not want to impact all three arteries at once.  The doctor said that there is too much of a chance of him bleeding out.  We have had 5 vascular surgeons and none said this was a viable option.  He is on blood pressure lowering medication, but they have discontinued him on the coumidin.
I really appreciate your input and your knowledge.  Thank you so much.  Believe me you never learn as much about a diagnosis until it affects you or your family.
I would really appreciate your input on the nerve block or killing the nerves all together.
Thanks again!!!!
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your husband. The pain on the sides of the abdomen and under the rib cage can be due to the blood supply to these regions being affected due to the dissection. Usually it is conservatively managed by anti-platelet and blood pressure lowering drugs. However, pain can at times persist despite treatment. If surgery is not an option then may be a stent can be placed separately in the three arteries. Discuss this possibility with your doctor. Apart from the pain killers, only opening the blood vessels can help relieve this pain caused by low oxygen. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
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st. louis, MO
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