Fatigue after septal myectomy

Turns out, I had a pericardial effusion that was messing up my recovery. Spent a week in the hospital at 8 weeks post surgery. Got it drained by a big honking’ needle. Six weeks later I was back in the hospital for pericarditis. Another week in the hospital to get that under control. All this crap was caused by the surgery. Three months post surgery and I still feel like garbage. If they told me this was a possibility I didn’t hear it. Hoping I feel better some day.

Hi edkoch,
I read your post this morning and I felt so bad for you. You have been through so much. Not just HCM, a septal myectomy, but all the post-op difficulties too. Wow. When you hear what you've been through it's no wonder you are so tired. Anybody would be. You sound like you are a strong person. Look what you've already been through! I know that each one of us is different, and each person heals in their own time. It has not been that long ago that you had the most major of major surgeries, and then really tough complications. Give yourself time to heal. These are not like a little paper cut. Even those hurt like the dickens. Each day, hopefully, you will feel better. Like you mentioned prior, walking a little more each day is so, so helpful. Eating a healthy diet, drinking water, you know...all the things they tell us. You've come a long way already, so try not to be too hard on yourself. Give your body time to heal. It's been through a super tough time. I hope you are able to find others on this site that had your rough post-op course and then you won't feel alone. Praying for healing and restoration of health. Feel free to reach out on this site. You are not alone!

Hi edkoch,
I was wondering if you are feeling any better. I know you have been thru a TON of complications. BIG ones! I wanted to reach out and see how you are and get an update. So, how are things going? Have you made progress in your recovery? Is your fatigue and brain fog better?

Hi! I had an alcohol septal ablation. It takes maybe 6 months for the heart to adjust. Keep walking and try to be positive. Post back in a few months. You went through a major surgery. Mine I was awake!

After my Septal Myectomy surgery in March I was given post operative instructions regarding exercise. It started out with walking 5 minutes at a time several times a day and gradually increased time and # of walks over a month. After one month I was walking once a day for 30 minutes. I am at 9 weeks now, still walking 30 minutes everyday. I think this was an essential part of my recovery. Also eating a healthy diet, 3 meals a day with foods from every food group, no snacking, and remembering to drink enough water! You may need to force yourself to do these things at the beginning but they are essential to a healthy recovery.

I'm sorry I don't mean to belittle your post operative difficulties but I had a pleural effusion a few weeks after getting home from hospital. I increased my use of the Spirometer they gave me, it took 3 weeks and 3 more chest X-rays but it eventually cleared up without hospitalization. Also they told me from the beginning recovery would be 6 to 8 weeks. Getting extra sleep is an important part too. Not sure how much caffeine you consume but I have found too much or too little really has a huge effect on my energy levels now. Things like that you can only figure out for yourself by trial and error. Never under estimate the power of taking charge of your own health. I know it's difficult when you feel like crap but in the end it's the one thing you can and must do for yourself.

Hi @jootzy, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad to hear you are doing much better now. You are still in the recovery phase, and it sounds like your pleural effusion is gone. Thank goodness! I had pleural effusions too, but thankfully it went away on its own. @edkoch had a pericardial effusion and pericarditis, much different and more complicated than our pleural effusions, and I did not think you were belittling his recovery at all! You sounded very supportive, and offer good advice. Have you noticed that each day gets a little bit easier? Have you been able to add a little more to your walks? Has the sternal pain gotten better?

Hi @swiendels, how long ago did you have your alcohol septal ablation? How are you doing now?

I realize now I only saw effusion and that cardiac effusion would be different. Yes, each day does get a little better, although it seems new side effects from meds keep popping up! - Rashes, the pleural effusion, now swelling feet and ankles. I guess the main thing I've realized and wanted to share is that the everyday lifestyle things you can do can make a huge difference, and Doctors don't often emphasize that enough I think. Oddly, I never really had much sternal pain. Now, at 10 weeks post surgery, I find the incision area is getting more sensitive to movement and touch so I'm not sure what that is about. I will mention it to the surgeon when I seem him on June 14th for the first time since March .

It sure is different for each person. I'm glad you are better each day. I had the weirdest symptom with my healing sternal scar...it too, like what you are saying, was SUPER sensitive to anything touching it. I wanted to wear soft comfy tops that would cover it, but instead had to go buy a couple of low V-neck tees (from Walmart!) so nothing touched it. So strange. The nurses at Mayo told me the nerves are the last thing to "wake up" after something like this...so maybe that is what's happening to you too? Thank you for sharing your story...you never know who may be reading your post and it just what they needed to hear. Do you have a list of questions written down that you can take with you when you see your doctor next?