Connect
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HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi
Welcome to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) group on Mayo Clinic Connect – a place where you can connect with others, learn about living HCM, share experiences and exchange useful information.
I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the follow icon 
on the group landing page.
I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members.
Why not start by introducing yourself here?
Good afternoon all. I am a 45 yr old male who was diagnosed about 2 years ago with HCM. Things have progressed to the point that I am having/need the surgery. Have to admit I am a bit terrified, but know I am in Great hands at Mayo. I have also had a couple major surgeries for some unrelated issues, so I have a general sense of the hospital experience.
I have had a history of back problems, and from reading this board, seems like this is a common struggle post surgery. I am thinking I need to go out and buy a recliner to sleep in when I return home….any advice from those who have gone through the recovery process? I have sleep apnea, and do use a CPAP, but have never been able to sleep flat on my back, so I am trying to get something worked out before the procedure.
This all became real this past week, so I am reeling a bit and sure will have additional questions….so thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers
Welcome to Connect HCM, @ataylor8668.
You’ve come to the right place to get your questions answered about your upcoming HCM surgery at Mayo Clinic. You’ll notice that I moved your message to the introductions thread so you can meet other members like. Allow me to introduce you to a few others who have had surgery at Mayo. Please meet @cynaburst @lynnkay1956 @PatMattos @janicepike @ronaldpetrovich @mbcube
@lisa7 @vivian88 and so many others. They can help answer your recovery questions.
You may also wish to read this discussion thread: “What is the recovery like following septal myectomy?” http://mayocl.in/2fdCxHz
Good question about the CPAP machine and surgery. @dawn_giacabazi might have something to add about that in particular. You can also find additional discussions about CPAP in the Sleep Health group: http://mayocl.in/2kSSYM6
Hi @ataylor8668 – Sorry you have to have surgery, but glad you are going to a great place.
I did buy myself a recliner for after surgery, and honestly, I found I didn’t need it. I slept better propped up with pillows and sleeping partially on my side on the couch. In fact, at Mayo I had a suite and found the sofa more comfortable for sleeping than the bed.
I wrote a blog about my myectomy experience at Mayo which you may find interesting, though it has been quite a few years ago now:
http://www.cynthiassummeradventure.blogspot.com
I have started a new blog that is generally about HCM which has a page of resources about preparing for myectomy which you also may find interesting:
https://hcmbeat.com/resources/resources-for-patients-about-myectomy/
Wishing you all the best as you go forward. Let us know how we can help advise you further.
I was a HAPPY camper in my recliner. Just shows what works for one, and not the other. A day short of 14 weeks out of my myectomy.
I want to bring up the real facts on teeth cleaning, and having a colonoscopy. I am 14 weeks out, and was under the impression that I could get my teeth cleaned after 3 months. Especially after spending thousand dollars and more on periodontal disease before the surgery. It was quit the fiasco going back and forth with the dentist office, and finally getting to the real reason and truth behind the reasoning. I was told that they don t want you to have anytjing done for 6 months. Not to risk any infection. The same goes for a colonoscopy. I am contacting Mayos patient advisery people to hopefully put it in the guides, for after surgery.
They do this all the time. Grrrrrrr.
Thanks for the response. I am planning on having my teeth looked at by my dentist in the next week or so (if he can squeeze me in) as I was scheduled for July- which is too soon after the surgery. Think I will invest in a recliner. Thanks
First, you are in great hands. In my case, (I had a septal myectomy and double bypass in Dec of 15) the surgery dramatically improved my health. The Mayo team was wonderful from everyone I was in contact with. (Full disclosure,I work here in Public Affairs) I could tell my heart was pumping so much better even after the first day. When it was quiet I could hear the strong heart beats, which I never could before. With that said, the experience was tough the first two days, but it improved quickly. I would recommend that you aggressively try walking and push yourself and enroll in cardiac rehab if at all possible. I would strongly recommend a recliner. We didn’t have one after the surgery and that would be one of the first things we would have done in hindsight. It was really hard to get up off the couch or out of bed the first three weeks. I felt like a turtle. Good luck.
Hello all. I was recently diagnosed with HMC (obstructive). I am 41 and have never been diagnosed with a heart murmur or any other heart problems before. I’m still in a bit of shock I guess. My only symptoms were being out of breath when I recently trained for a 5K. (I thought I was just out of shape). I have moderate to severe thickening of the left wall. I did have genetic testing done which came back negative?? Leaving me even more confused as to how I came to have this. I have only seen a local heart dr. Who assured me I am at “low-risk” for sudden death but did put me on Metatropol and regular checkups. I guess my concern is if this is enough…
I’ve just found this group and will be researching others who have negative genetic testing and similar stories. I guess my biggest fear is if I should have a second opinion or just go live my life like my Dr. said.
The likelihood is that you will live your life with few changes due to your diagnosis. They have so far only identified some of the genes that cause HCM, so just because your test came back negative does not mean that yours is not genetic.
Nevertheless, it is best to be treated at a place that has substantial expertise with HCM like Mayo Clinic who can do a thorough assessment of your situation. Where do you live?
McComb, Mississippi
My physician at Mayo said that genetic testing still has a ways to go when identifying the HCM gene, in that it does not always show up. Getting a second opinion is your call, but here is a recent study that shows it is prudent to do so, and if you would, it would be recommended to visit a Center of Excellence regarding HCM. http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-researchers-demonstrate-value-of-second-opinions/