HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

Sorry to hear this, time for another opinion

I have seen the surgeon every year since the surgery. He first said it would take about 2 years for me to feel any good results from it. It's been about 6 years now and I still am out of breath from doing minimal things. last year he said "It is what it is and that i will have to just live with it. So disappointed and frustrating. I'm 72 and feel 80. I have a pace maker and take warfarin because of a mechanical valve. My surgeon was a Dr. Warren In Hot Springs, Ar.

Welcome new HCM members @niri9 @pawcatuck and @dp52350. I invite @ronaldpetrovich @mbcube @rrowner2 @positivity @priscilla1972 @janicepike @PatMattos @ninimurphy @melthomas and others to join me in welcoming you all.

Debby, I'd like to introduce you to @cynaburst. I believe her surgeon was also Dr. Dearani. She wrote these notes from a presentation he gave last year:
> Notes from presentation by Dr. Joe Dearani re: Myectomy at HCM Summit https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/notes-from-presentation-by-dr-joe-dearani-re-myectomy-at-hcm-summit/

Niri and Debby, I can imagine that you're both nervous about what lies ahead. There are several discussions that may interested you as you prepare for surgery or make decisions about surgery:
> What is the recovery like following septal myectomy? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-the-recovery-like-following-septal-myectomy/
> HCM CARE tips - What do you wish you had known for after surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hcm-care-tips-what-do-you-wish-you-had-known-for-after-surgery/
> Life after HCM Surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/life-after-hcm-surgery/

Tom, reading so many stories about how people feel better after myectomy must be frustrating when this has not been your experience. Do you have multiple complicating issues or conditions? Has your cardiologist given any explanations?

Hello, I'm Debby. I'll be having a myectomy done on April 4, 2019 by Dr Dearani. I'm a little nervous and am just looking for some input. Others experience with this.

I’m so sorry you don’t feel better Tom, are you taking beta blockers,? I thought that after surgery my husband would not need them but he still needs them although less than half of he took prior to surgery. The surgery removes the obstruction still has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for which he needs the meds.
Please talk to you doctor.

Hi I'm tom I had septal myectomy in 2012 and feel no better what is going on?

My husband was diagnosed a withHCM at 42 he was symptom free with meds til this year when out if the blue he had a complete heart block and a pacemaker defibrillator implanted. He took max dose of meds and had surgery for obstructive HCM on October 4 this year and has had an amazing recovery and is symptom free and minimal meds. So don’t be afraid if surgery is suggested

Hello everyone, Niri here from Seattle, Washington. 42 years old, diagnosed with HCM (apical and mid ventricular) couple years ago but recently having more frequent shortness of breath symptoms. Looking forward to connect with you all, sharing and learning together in this tough journey ahead.

When to have surgery is really an individual decision. I tried meds for a few years and my symptoms were getting worse and the side effects were more and more bothersome. I made the decision because I felt my quality of life had declined to the point where I was willing to take the risk of surgery. I think that is what you have to think about. At what point do you feel like you can't go on with all the drugs and will your situation improve substantially after surgery. For example, it may allow you to better control your blood pressure and take some stress off your kidneys. You should discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.

Hi Priscilla
My husband had septal myectomy on October 4 six weeks ago.
Prior to surgery and the reason he had the surgery was that he was on max doses of meds 100 mgms of atenolol and 250 mgms of Norpace and still having shortness of breath and syncope (he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for 30 + years)
Having the surgery had made an amazing difference. He’s 74