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HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (1049)Comment receiving replies
That’s a good idea. Hadn’t thought of a recliner. Has the myectomy helped with your pre-operative symptoms if you had these-shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness or palpitations. When I stand up, I also feel sometimes like I don’t have good blood flow to my legs. It takes about 30 seconds to feel better. I already got a pacemaker last year.
Sounds like you are walking well! I’ll probably do cardiac rehab too. My surgeon says it’s up to me. Did you have any other surgery on your mitral valve at the same time. Thank you! Wishing you good improvement and good health!
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Yes, pga17, my surgeon repaired my mitral valve during the septal myectomy surgery. He said he was not able to achieve 100% repair, but sufficient, in his judgment, to be better than replacing the valve, with whatever complications that would have wrought.
My pre-op shortness of breath (SOB) was intermittent, and not severe, and I think it is too early to tell whether it is significantly improved because I have not yet returned to full-on physical activity. (For example I am still restricted from carrying more than 8 or 10 lbs. per hand for another week or 2.)
I did not have palpitations or fatigue before the surgery. I did have occasional dizziness when I stood up quickly. In the first post-op weeks I was warned that ould still happen, and it did, but it seems to be dissipating. I had some leg-swelling post-op (gained 8 or 10 lbs. water weight immediately post-op) but the swelling (and the water weight) has gone away.
Generally, I am still at the stage where I am feeling better each week, so still don't know the extent of my eventual improvement. I am learning (and relearning) patience as I slowly but surely improve.