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Hi All,
I am new to this site, and have already gained so much knowledge just reading and talking with Pam who gave me an indepth description of what to expect with my upcoming surgery.
After having been misdiagnosed for many years, I was diagnosed with Obstructive HCM last year after my health insurance changed and I had to change physicians. I told the new PCP how poorly I felt and he listened. I was referred to a new cardiologist who examined me like I had never had an exam while a member of the HMO. He immediately referred me to a larger medical center. The cardiologist did a cardiac catherization, along with the usual cardic workup in August of 03 and put me on medical management with Atenolol 100 mg. Q AM, ASA 81mg. Q AM, and Verapamil 240mg. HS. I continued with my long standing symptoms of chronic cough, SOB, tachycardia, chest pain, peripheral neuropathy, irregular heart rate, insomnia and constant fatigue.
When I visited the cardiologist this year in July after another ECHO, he told me that my obstuction was much worse and that I would need to see a "Super Specialist". I went home and researched on-line and found out about NEMCS"s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center. I requested a referral and was seen by Dr's Udelson and Maron within a week. Another ECHO with contrast medium was done. When I went back upstairs to get the results I was told that surgery was indicated. An appointment was made to see the cardiac surgeon in three weeks due to our schedule conflicts. While at the appointment, Dr. Maron gave me information about the HCMA.
I printed every page of information provided by the HCMA and read them over and over. When the day came to visit Dr. Rastegar I already knew that I wanted to have the Myectomy, preferring the procedure that had a forty year sucess rate over the ablation with only about five years of statistics. I also was concerned about the scarring that would occur on the heart muscle.
Dr Maron asked me to have an MRI of my heart at Beth Israel Hospital Which was quite an experience. It was very easy to see the thickness of the septum (!8mm), and the obstruction of the mitral valve.
I would be happy to hear from anyone who wishes to share their experiences as this is all still new to me. Thank you.
Marilyn
I am new to this site, and have already gained so much knowledge just reading and talking with Pam who gave me an indepth description of what to expect with my upcoming surgery.
After having been misdiagnosed for many years, I was diagnosed with Obstructive HCM last year after my health insurance changed and I had to change physicians. I told the new PCP how poorly I felt and he listened. I was referred to a new cardiologist who examined me like I had never had an exam while a member of the HMO. He immediately referred me to a larger medical center. The cardiologist did a cardiac catherization, along with the usual cardic workup in August of 03 and put me on medical management with Atenolol 100 mg. Q AM, ASA 81mg. Q AM, and Verapamil 240mg. HS. I continued with my long standing symptoms of chronic cough, SOB, tachycardia, chest pain, peripheral neuropathy, irregular heart rate, insomnia and constant fatigue.
When I visited the cardiologist this year in July after another ECHO, he told me that my obstuction was much worse and that I would need to see a "Super Specialist". I went home and researched on-line and found out about NEMCS"s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center. I requested a referral and was seen by Dr's Udelson and Maron within a week. Another ECHO with contrast medium was done. When I went back upstairs to get the results I was told that surgery was indicated. An appointment was made to see the cardiac surgeon in three weeks due to our schedule conflicts. While at the appointment, Dr. Maron gave me information about the HCMA.
I printed every page of information provided by the HCMA and read them over and over. When the day came to visit Dr. Rastegar I already knew that I wanted to have the Myectomy, preferring the procedure that had a forty year sucess rate over the ablation with only about five years of statistics. I also was concerned about the scarring that would occur on the heart muscle.
Dr Maron asked me to have an MRI of my heart at Beth Israel Hospital Which was quite an experience. It was very easy to see the thickness of the septum (!8mm), and the obstruction of the mitral valve.
I would be happy to hear from anyone who wishes to share their experiences as this is all still new to me. Thank you.
Marilyn
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