HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

@karukgirl
My video evaluation is May 4.
No list of questions just yet. Building them over the next month as I come up with them.
I would like to know if this would be anyway related to the Pericardectomy I had in 1996.
I do have some symptoms but they aren't overly pronounced most of the time.

Hello @mikemelling , and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
I'm so glad you found the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy group, and also that you have been referred to Mayo Clinic...you could not be in better hands!
Is your video evaluation scheduled yet?
Do you have your list of questions ready?
Being prepared in advance with a list will help you keep on track as you meet virtually.
There is a lot to take in after learning you have this condition, and the Mayo Clinic is a world leader in HCM and complicated cases.
Here is a link to HCM on the Mayo Clinic website:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
It sounds like you have become somewhat symptomatic, so it's good you are finding out now what you have going on.
Are you otherwise healthy and active?

Hello. My fellow HCM’ers. I wanted to introduce myself and thank the moderators of this group who encouraged me to join you. Like many of you I was diagnosed with HCM last summer at 58. This last year the journey has felt like being on a roller coaster ride emotionally, educational, life changing with both trials and blessings. It has helped me grow as a husband, a Dad, an employee, proud veteran and made be a stronger human being reminding me each day is a blessing. In the course of my treatment I have climbed the medical system ladder. First starting being treated by my local hospital, then Northwest Medical in Chicago and finally now an active patient in the Mayo HCM Clinic. Over the last 2 years I have made dramatic changes in my health. I lost over 80 pounds with 60 pounds to go. I changed my diet and now cut out almost all processed foods and on low sodium diet, I have been more active. I have grown my faith and changed my mental outlook from focusing on the negative in life to now focus on the blessings we all are given each day. Currently I don’t have HOCM yet and are in the early stages of this disease and are on some diuretics to control fluids. Some days are good others are not but finally have a treatment plan that working. Once a year I do my pilgrimage to Rochester to meet with the world HCm experts and feel so blessed that they are now part of my medical team caring for me. I am not an expert of HCm but have learned a lot in the last 2 years Name a heart test and I have done it. I am here to continue to grow and learn from you and vice versa share the bits of wisdom I have picked along this journey. Greetings to all you !!

Hi I'm Mike Melling, 52, from Lee's Summit, MO. My cardiologist referred me to Mayo due to having a thickening of the back wall of the heart he had never seen before. He said said this is HCM but not in the usual area. I've been having shortness of breath more often in the past few months and am taking 40 mg of furomeside everyday for some edema. Now is the wait for the video evaluation with the doctor there.

Hello everyone. My name is Maria, and I am 60 years old. I am not officially diagnosed with HCM yet as I have not seen a cardiologist. I had a recent bout of asthma exacerbation that is not that is not getting better. My Pulmonologist ordered a CT chest and echocardiogram because of persistent shortness pain and chest discomfort. Both tests are highly suggestive of HCM with the echo report indicating a left ventricular mid-cavity obstruction. I have so many questions. The one the sticks out right now is my job. I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in a hospital, and it is a physically demanding job. I am currently on short-term disability With my ongoing symptoms where I get episodic shortness of breath and chest pain at rest that worsens with activity, I don’t know what would be a reasonable expectation to return to work. I am working with Occupational Health regarding my return-to-work status. The last time we met with my symptoms the way it is, the doctor thought that I can be placed on light duty “sedentary” assignment. I balked and told the doctor that I can’t even walk without becoming short of breath that I don’t know how I can be productive on the job. This was before the cardiac anomaly came to light. I am expected to see Occupational Health back before my leave expires. As it is now, I am still symptomatic, and I have not been referred to Cardiology (the echo was just done yesterday). I don’t know when I can be seen. In the meantime my leave clock is ticking, and I have no plans in place. Is it reasonable to ask for an extension of my leave?

Hello everyone. My name is Maria, and I am 60 years old. I am not officially diagnosed with HCM yet as I have not seen a cardiologist. I had a recent bout of asthma exacerbation that is not that is not getting better. My Pulmonologist ordered a CT chest and echocardiogram because of persistent shortness pain and chest discomfort. Both tests are highly suggestive of HCM with the echo report indicating a left ventricular mid-cavity obstruction. I have so many questions. The one the sticks out right now is my job. I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in a hospital, and it is a physically demanding job. I am currently on short-term disability With my ongoing symptoms where I get episodic shortness of breath and chest pain at rest that worsens with activity, I don’t know what would be a reasonable expectation to return to work. I am working with Occupational Health regarding my return-to-work status. The last time we met with my symptoms the way it is, the doctor thought that I can be placed on light duty “sedentary” assignment. I balked and told the doctor that I can’t even walk without becoming short of breath that I don’t know how I can be productive on the job. This was before the cardiac anomaly came to light. I am expected to see Occupational Health back before my leave expires. As it is now, I am still symptomatic, and I have not been referred to Cardiology (the echo was just done yesterday). I don’t know when I can be seen. In the meantime my leave clock is ticking, and I have no plans in place. Is it reasonable to ask for an extension of my leave?

Hello everyone. My name is Maria, and I am 60 years old. I am not officially diagnosed with HCM yet as I have not seen a cardiologist. I had a recent bout of asthma exacerbation that is not that is not getting better. My Pulmonologist ordered a CT chest and echocardiogram because of persistent shortness pain and chest discomfort. Both tests are highly suggestive of HCM with the echo report indicating a left ventricular mid-cavity obstruction. I have so many questions. The one the sticks out right now is my job. I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in a hospital, and it is a physically demanding job. I am currently on short-term disability With my ongoing symptoms where I get episodic shortness of breath and chest pain at rest that worsens with activity, I don’t know what would be a reasonable expectation to return to work. I am working with Occupational Health regarding my return-to-work status. The last time we met with my symptoms the way it is, the doctor thought that I can be placed on light duty “sedentary” assignment. I balked and told the doctor that I can’t even walk without becoming short of breath that I don’t know how I can be productive on the job. This was before the cardiac anomaly came to light. I am expected to see Occupational Health back before my leave expires. As it is now, I am still symptomatic, and I have not been referred to Cardiology (the echo was just done yesterday). I don’t know when I can be seen. In the meantime my leave clock is ticking, and I have no plans in place. Is it reasonable to ask for an extension of my leave?

Hello everyone. My name is Maria, and I am 60 years old. I am not officially diagnosed with HCM yet as I have not seen a cardiologist. I had a recent bout of asthma exacerbation that is not that is not getting better. My Pulmonologist ordered a CT chest and echocardiogram because of persistent shortness pain and chest discomfort. Both tests are highly suggestive of HCM with the echo report indicating a left ventricular mid-cavity obstruction. I have so many questions. The one the sticks out right now is my job. I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in a hospital, and it is a physically demanding job. I am currently on short-term disability With my ongoing symptoms where I get episodic shortness of breath and chest pain at rest that worsens with activity, I don’t know what would be a reasonable expectation to return to work. I am working with Occupational Health regarding my return-to-work status. The last time we met with my symptoms the way it is, the doctor thought that I can be placed on light duty “sedentary” assignment. I balked and told the doctor that I can’t even walk without becoming short of breath that I don’t know how I can be productive on the job. This was before the cardiac anomaly came to light. I am expected to see Occupational Health back before my leave expires. As it is now, I am still symptomatic, and I have not been referred to Cardiology (the echo was just done yesterday). I don’t know when I can be seen. In the meantime my leave clock is ticking, and I have no plans in place. Is it reasonable to ask for an extension of my leave?