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Current Postings on This Page (52):
• I was diagnosed with IHSS in 1983. I went for years just being on Tenormin,
then I developed symptoms, had to have medication changed had a Pacemaker placed.
In 2001 I was given a choice of having a Myoectomy or Alcohol Septal Ablation.
I opted for Alcohol Ablation. Dr. William Spencer III, performed the procedure
at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas through the Baylor Heart. He is now in
Charleston, S.C.. I have done exceptionally well. I would recommend the procedure
to anyone. I am very pleased with my life style as now I can walk up hills and
up stairs without being short of breath. I had Atrial Fib before having the ablation
and still have chronic atrial fib., but my cardiologist in Bartlesville, Ok.,
Dr. Defehr has changed the settings on the pacemaker and now I do not know when
I go in or out of atrial fib. Dr. Defehr does every 6 month check ups and I have
yearly checks ups for the Alcohol Septal Ablation with 2D echoes. I would talk
with anyone about the procedure and the benefits that I have had.
Rea Madden, Copan, Oklahoma, USA, April 24, 2008
• Good evening, I just had septal myectomy on Dec
3 2007. To the guy that is 22 and gives himself the punch in his chest;
I used to be that guy. My HOCM/IHSS was diagnosed when I was 16 at the
age of 30 I started beta blockers (corgard) for 10 more years. Now at
the age of 40 after doing all of the things that you're not supposed to
do
Mountain climbing, skiing, scuba diving, you name I've done it. Last
echo in September of '07 I had a septum of 33mm thick which was bad. I
went
to Mayo after Thanksgiving and had a septal myectomy done by Dr. Dearani.
Awesome job!! After 2 months of recovery I feel like I'm 20 again ran
my heart up to 160bpm for over 45 minutes with no symptoms. Any questions?
Post here
Don Anderson, Oce' North America, Louisville, Nebraska, USA, January 24, 2008
• My husband was just recently diagnosed with IHSS.
The doctors told him that he shouldn't be alive today as he has led an
extremely active life. What
is the life expectancy for this disease? We just had our son tested and they
say that he is fine. Can he get this disease at any time or is there a certain
age that you get it? My husband is scared and I cant seem to sleep anymore.
Please help me to find some answers.
Reba, Idaho, USA, January 13, 2008
• My daughter has IHSS, she is 24 years old, she
had a myectomy to take some of the gradient, she has recently been cardioconverted
at least 15-20 times in the last 3-4 months,she also just had an ablation
which was unsuccessful, the muscle is so thick, they couldn't get in,
she also has an ICD she is on coumadin, amiodorone, and metoprolol, she
just
had open heart 2 weeks ago, the mitral valve was replaced and they tried
to do a maze procedure, she went in a fib, 2 days after the surgery,
she is home now, and day before yesterday, she had to be cardioconverted
again,
she lost her dad at 40 years old, we were told he had something else,
only to find out later, it was IHSS. Has anyone gone through this, as of
yet,
we don't know if there is anything else they can do, a transplant has
been discussed in the future, but not an option right now, she has been
denied
insurance and social security, but we are going to appeal, but i am really
concerned about her future, so any input would be appreciated. she has
had excellent care at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
thanks.
Elaine Bailey, Belleville, Michigan, USA, October 10, 2007
• I am a 54 year old IHSS asymptomatic patient.
My father died at 61 and my older brother at 54, possibly due to IHSS.
At the time
they passed I was not living at home so that is my best guess. At the age
of 40 I started doing follow-up on my heart. At that time my septum was
11 mm thick, today it is 24mm. The first years my septum grew at a rate
of about 1mm per year. Some 4 years ago, no growth was determined (my prayers??
- I do want to give credit to them). But now, I found out that my septum
continues to grow, and I am scared. I love life and am enjoying it more
than ever. no sports activities except for walking during my working time.
taking only 10 mg/day of nadolol. I have normal blood pressure (120/80),
and feel no symptoms at all, except when I bend over (I get dizzy for a
short moment and I have to breath deep and hold on to something). My doctor
is starting to talk about one alcohol ablation, and I don't want that.
Prefer to continue trusting god. How thick is the thickest anybody has
ever reported a septum? --- I am worried about the fact that I do not
get a "life insurance", and just bought a house. Should I get
out of that debt ??? ---how do you handle this issue ??? -- please write
to me.
Juan, Georgia, USA, August 25, 2007
• My family just found out that my brother has
been diagnosed with IHSS. Does anyone know if this is a disease that you
are born with. He has a son. Does anyone have any other information about
it.
Gail B., Maryland, USA, August 1, 2007
• I had open heart surgery in April of 2004. Found out I had IHSS about 3 months prior. I was born with VSD and the hole closed by time I was 15. Well when my daughter was 8 mths old I started having breathing problems, shortness of breath. fluid retention, stuff like that. When I found out, I had to have surgery 3 months later. I have not lost any weight since then and am wondering if the problem can come back after surgery if u dont take care of your health? Can someone email me at kristinaluking@msn.com.
Kristina Luking, Imperial, Missouri, USA, March 12, 2007
• Hey I am a 22 year old man that was diagnosed
at birth with IHSS and basically I haven't seen a doctor in over 4 year
cause of ridiculous health insurance reasons. I don't medicate and I basically
give myself a good punch in the chest once in a while to keep the heart
going steady. I am hoping that this site can help me to get seen by a doctor
at least for a checkup. So if anyone has information where I can find a
IHSS cardiologist then let me know. I really don't know what to do anymore
about seeing a doctor.
timothy gillis, billerica, massachusetts, usa, January 5, 2007
• HI. MY NAME IS TRACY. A FEW WEEKS AGO MY FATHER
AT THE AGE OF 45 HAD A HEART ATTACK AND NOW IS DIAGNOSED IHHS. I AM REALLY
CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT IT IS AND WHAT HAPPENS AND IF THEIR IS HOPE. PLEASE
EMAIL ME AND GIVE SOME INFORMATION SO THAT I CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND MY FATHERS
CONDITION.
Tracy, Hartshorne, Oklahoma, USA, July 26, 2006
• My husband is 48 with IHHS, been on Toprol for
4 years. Now talking of a pacemaker. Is there longevity? I am his frightened
wife.
M., USA, July 5, 2006
• I will be having surgery to have my septum reduced
and a valve replacement in about two months. This surgery will take place
in approximately two months in the Heart Centre in Saint John New Brunswick.
I have been on Verapamil 120 SR four times a day for 10 1/2 years. I am
a bit worried about this surgery, but keep praying that everything will
turn out okay. I am 68 years old. My sister has IHSS to a lesser degree,
but is very active.
Betty, New Brunswick, Canada, May 28, 2006
• I was diagnosed with IHSS in July 1998. I had
an alchohol ablation in May 10, 1999 and did real well for about 2 years
and Then the symptoms started returning and now I have terrible angina,
am very short of breath, and get very dizzy any time I bend over at all.
I have a difibrillator am on 360mg of verapamil twice a day, and 160mg
of sotalol twice a day. I take morphine for the angina and also take lasix
for water retention. I am no longer able to work and was wondering if anyone
else has had symptons like this return after septal ablation.
Glen Shurtz, Safford, Arizona, USA, May 17, 2006
• I was diagnosed with IHSS when I was 59, my son
at 33, he is now 44 and on a very large amount of meds, eventually might
be going to Cleveland for a myectomy. I had the septal ablation done at
the ADventist Hospital in Silver Springs, MD, I had a pacemaker before
the ablation. I had the pacemaker replaced with an ICD, all procedures
were worth having, we took my son to NIH in Md where they also study the
disease, a cousin was diagnosed at 50, had the myectomy done in Md, he
is a contractor and doing well. I have tried to track the IHSS in our family,
approximately 100 of us from grandparents down to grandchildren and great
grandchildren, my grandchildren are checked with a pediatric cardiologist
regularly, at this point we feel it stems from my paternal grandfather,
John Leigh, even when going to your cardiologist, the patient needs a cardiologist
who specializes in IHSS, my cardiologist is Dr. John Manissi, and my son
has Dr. Little. The Cleveland Clinic and the MAYO Clinic are the best for
the myectomy procedure, I had the option of Texas or Md for my alcohol
ablation, the care was excellent at Md.
Carol Leigh Cuono, Bangor, Pennsylvania, April 22, 2006
• i have had ihss for most of my life..i live in
canada..i have found the best meds to be on is tenormin...50mg per day..there
is a doctor at the toronto general hospital..his name is dr.wigle and he
specializes in ihss..people come from all over the worl to train with him..i
try to keep busy and go with people that are positive...i also try to live
a normal life...i think that if you are on the meds your chances of living
a long life are much better...feel free to get
hold of me.
Dave R., Canada, April 11, 2006
• Hi I am 17 years old and when I was 8 months old
I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. For a few years now I
have been looking for a procedure that can help me in the long run.I have
had two previouse surgeries that have help with the blockage but I want
more. I have came across this procedure called Alcohol Ablation and I would
like to know if this would help me.
Jen, Lancaster,Pa, December 06, 2005
• HI DAVID I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU E-MAIL ME
IF U LIKE MAMIWITATTITUDEE@AOL.COM
DENISE, IL, December 04, 2005
• My husband was recently diagnosed with Diabetes.
His brother and mother have IHss. They detected a murmur and will be doing
an echo to see if he in fact has IHSS. Any correlation between Diabetes
and IHSS? He is 45 years old.
Kirsten Nicholas, November 20, 2005
• I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HOCM BUT I DO NOT HAVE ANY
FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAS THIS CONDITION AND THE HOSPITAL THAT DIAGNOSED ME
DID NOT RULE OUT ANYTHING ELSE LIKE HYPERTENSION OR THAT I AM EXTREMELY
OVER WEIGHT OR ANY THING LIKE THAT CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE ON
WHAT TO DO FROM HERE THEY SAID MY VENTRICLE THICKNESS IS 1.8
DENISE, CHICAGO, November 01, 2005
• I am 59, and have been diagnoised with IHSS,
and have a consultation tomorrow ( 11-1-2005) at Baylor Colege of Medicine
in Houston, TX about having Septal Alcohol Ablation. Would like information
on this procedure and sussess ratio,
Martin Dudley, MACO Inc., Houston, Tx , USA, October 31, 2005
• I first posted my info in Dec of 2001. This last
April my chest was feeling... fuzzy and heavy, tight, and just plain not
right. I asked a Dr. to listen. He had me have an EKG immediatly. I had
gone into Atrial Fibrillation. My Cardiologist has taken me off the Norpace
and put me on Amiodarone (its only prescribed in life threatening instances)
I am not a candidate for an ablation as my form of IHSS does not allow
it. I have had 3 Cardio Versions since April, and I also have been on Coumadin
this entire time. Every week, I think... Okay this is it... This one will
put me back in rhythm... Then my blood is too thick or too thin or my Potassium
is too low.. Etc. So, hopefully on 9/14/05 I will hear that I'm good to
go and head on over to the hospital to get jumpstarted! I'm sorry, but
I have to keep a since of humor. My Father ended up passing away in April
2002 and my Aunt Joyce in Jan 2003. Both of which had IHSS as well. It
is scary. I am glad for this web site. I can see that I am not the only
one in the world with this pain in the butt heart problem. Thank you all
for taking the time to read my rambling.
Tracy L. Copeland-Copper, Durham, CA, USA, August 26, 2005
• my childs father has ihss, what age will we know
if she has this condition and what is the life span for this also
vickie, cincinnati ohio, July 21, 2005
• i would like to hear from patients who have had
the alcohol ablation and whether or not thy are satisfied that theynhad
the procedure . i am scheduled to have septal ablation it is for july 27
but i am considering backing out when i read the list of procedures that
will be done and the risks involved. anyone willing to talk about second
thoughts after it was done?
myra ellis, lincoln,ma.oi773, July 19, 2005
• Dear Layali, this
Forum only provides an opportunity for patients and physicians to trade
information and doesn't recommend or make referrals. For more information
on alcohol ablation, try this
website. There are some contacts listed there, although it seems to
be a couple years old. Also, Dr. Sigwart is now at the University Hospital
in Geneva, Switzerland. You can find direct contact information by searching
their hospital
directory. Best wishes and luck to you. Please let us know the outcome
of your search.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, June 22, 2005
• My dear my daughter 20 years old had (HOCM) (Hypertrophic
Obstructive Cardiomyopathy). The advice is to have septal ablation. I want
ask Dr.Ulrich Sigwart the following: 1.Can he do this operation? 2.In which
hospital in London? 3.What is the total cost? 4.What is the percentage
of success? 5.Can do this operation by surgery, who is the doctor & what
is the cost? 6. Are you visit Iraq? I am from Iraq. If you want I can send
you reports of my daughter's status. I am waiting your answer. Thank you.
Layali Riyadh, personal, Najaf/Unmaride/H.Wife/Iraq, June 22,
2005
• Hi. I am 18 years old and was diagnosed
with IHSS a few weeks ago. I have been experiencing chest pain and shortness
of breath for years now, but untill now, nobody believed that it was
serious. Now I have to have surgery for it and I'm a bit nervous. I don't
know what to expect.
Evan, CA, May 16, 2005
• After being mis-diagnosed for several years,
one local doctor finally found the IHSS, even though the symptoms were
pretty classic.....murmur that comes and goes....angina type pain that
occurs after exertion rather than during, etc. My frustration now is
that since this really can't be "cured" there is little interest in this
from the medical field. Very few people seem to be interested in working
on it, and pharmaceutical companies couldn't care less, it seems. To
be honest I'd just like to be able to bend over and pick up something
small on the floor without getting so out of breath.
Tommie, Arizona, May 05, 2005
• HI, My mother died of IHSS at 35, she was diagnosed
at 8. My uncle, her brother was also diagnosed with IHSS but at 19. I am
21 and although I havent been tested since 8th grade I was pregnant and
had a miscarriage at 2 months exactly. The babies heart just stopped beating.
I was wondering if there is anyway that a fetus can have IHSS at that early
stage of pregnancy?? I know with the severity it runs in my family that
either my child or I will have it. Most doctors I talk to about IHSS have
no clue what it is, My baby doctor has no idea if I could have lost it
to IHSS? Or if I had it and don't know could that help in losing the baby?
Crystal Moralez, Clovis, New Mexico, USA, April 05, 2005
• My husband has IHSS (he has had it for about 25
years) and they want to put a dual pacemaker in. He also has diabetes,
diabetic neuropathy, sleep apnea, arthritis, kidney failure, carpal tunnel.
Is it worth him getting this surgery for him? Would love to chat to someoneabout
IHSS. snuzysue@neo.rr.com
Sue Koellner, Akron, Ohio, January 25, 2005
• I am 32 years old and am scheduled for the alcohol
ablation procedure to help my HCM with obstruction. I would greatly appreciate
any comments and information regarding the septal alcohol ablation procedure
and its results. Thank you.
Jef Fearn, Brea, California, USA, 03 May 2004
• I am 34 years old. I was diagnosed with IHSS
13 years ago and have since undergone a septal myectomy at Mayo Clinic.
What a wonderful experience... that is an awsome place! I am now thinking
about a baby... any thoughts on pregnancy?
Kim Hansen, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 20 Jan 2003
• My husband was diagnosed with IHSS in 1970. He
has been very active all these years and has been on Inderal. Our son has
it also. He has gone into atrial fibralation these past two months. He
had a carioverson (sp?) in July and the heart didn't stay in sync. He had
it done again this week. He doesn't feel very well and is having fever
and a slight cough. I want to know if there is any other options if it
won't get back in sync.
Sue Howard, , Lamesa, TX , 18 Oct 2002
• I am a 55 years old. I was diagnosed about 10
years ago with IHSS. I have been controlled on Tenormina 25mg 2 times a
day until this past week. I had my first experience with atrial fibrillation
and was hospitalized. I now also take Tambakor 100mg 2 times a day. My
Dr.says I need to consider surgery or perhaps the newer procedure, septal
ablation with alcohol. I would like to hear from anyone who may have any
comments or information about these procedures.
Sue Harry, Largo, Florida, USA, 10 Jul 2002
• I am 48 years old. I had the alcohol ablation
procedure done in March 99 and again in November 99. Today I run on a daily
basis and have participated in 4 10K road races and finished them all.
I raced my 18yr old son up the Eiffel Tower and ran the bulls in Pamplona,
Spain last year. 3 years out and doing great !!!
Dave Colunga, Carrollton, Texas, USA, 12 Jun 2002
• I am 29 years old. I was diagnosed with IHSS in
1996. I was 13 weeks pregnant with my second daughter at the time. So,
I had to go through the pregancy with no meds. etc. They watched me closely
though. I had a Dual Pacer put in in 10/98, and it seems to work okay,
but I am still constantly out of breath, and have absoultely NO ENERGY!!!
I take Norpace 2 times a day, and Tenormin 100mg once a day at bedtime.
I also take lasix (foresumide) and K-dur when needed. My father has the
disease as well. His brother passed away at the age of only 50 years old
in 1993. My Grandmother also died young from the disease in 1982. My Aunt
also has it and also has a Pacer. I to worry about my children showing
signs. I just want to feel better and live a better life. We are in financial
debt, because I can't barley even get out of bed!!! My doctor says it's
all in my head pretty much and just to get some exercise. It hurts to exercise
though. I feel trapped. I need some heavy duty advice. My marriage is even
affected by it. I am not a happy person any more. Please... somebody help!!!
Tracy L. Copeland-Copper, California, USA, 5 Dec 2001
• I was diagnosed with IHSS several years ago. Have
since given birth to a son, but my heart was watched constantly thru the
pregnancy. My dr. now talks about possible surgery, or other procedures
to get rid of the thickening. Can I learn about your experiences with the
procedures?
Debbie Smith, Maryland, USA, 23 Oct 2001
• I am 45 years old. I have had IHSS for 20 years.
I would love to chat with anyone that has this condition.
David, 9 Oct 2001
• I am not sure if there is a national database
that keeps records with such information. I also have IHSS. I am 26 but
my father had it also. He died at age 37.
Chris, Virginia, USA, 30 Jul 2001
• I am 42 years old and I have IHSS with a dual
pacemaker and taking Verapamil SR 240mg. twice a day and atenolol 100mg.one
a day,aspirin 325mg. every other day and norpace cr 300mg. twice a day.
My doctors wants me to go for echo every six months. What do you think?
Richard Edmonds, Naples, Florida, USA, January 26, 2000
I have had IHSS since I was 16 yrs. old. I'm told that
this was a very young age for this diagnosis. I'm now 19 yrs. old. My father,
grandfather, great-grandmother and two uncles all have IHSS. My grandfather
and father used to make a plane trip once a year to N.I.H. in Bethesda,
Maryland to be prescribed trial medications. How would I find out the youngest
age reported with a diagnosis of IHSS?
Michael Davis, Huntingdon, Tennessee, USA, January 11, 2000
• I am looking for additional information on IHSS.
My wife died of this (at 34yrs old) after having this disease ruled out
10 days prior to her attack.
Tom Dolan, Florida, USA, December 9, 1999
• My husband has IHSS and will have surgery early
in Dec 1999 at the Cleveland Clinic. He would like to talk to anyone (via
e-mail) that has had the surgery.
Jane Rademacher, Longmont, Colorado, USA, November 11, 1999
• Dear Sirs & Madams,
On behalf of a dear friend whose kids have contracted the Marfan Disease. They
are taking Tenormin. Could you give your expert advice on helping the children's
condition? Thank you. The e-mail address is attached.
Audrey, July 23, 1999
• I am a 28 year old female and was diagnosed with
IHSS 7 years ago. In May of 1994 I had a Dual Chamber Pacemaker put in.
It did not help, and within 3 months I was seeking a second opinion. Within
3 weeks of that opinion I had open heart surgery. I still have some problems
but my quality of life is better, although I am permently disabled now
because of the disease.
Brenda, Washington, USA, July 15, 1999
• HOCM (IHSS) can often be treated effectively by
non-surgical myocardial reduction. The procedure is also called after the
name of the original describer. If patients are symptomatic despite beta-blockers
and have a significant outflow tract gradient they may indeed go for this
modality.
Ulrich Sigwart, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK, May 19,
1999
• I am 17 yrs old and my mother has IHSS. I have
been tested and I do not have the disease, but I was wondering if I could
develop it later in life. Also, I thought that the heart surgery for IHSS
had stopped being performed shortly after my grandfather's surgery for
IHSS in 1983 at the Cleveland Clinic.
Brittany Coleman, Ohio, USA, March 25, 1999
• We are interested in finding out as much about
this problem as we can. We just found out that my husband's paternal grandfather
has this problem, and also just found out that we're expecting our first
child - after years of frustration and trying. Needless to say, we want
this child to be healthy and happy. therefore, we need to know about this
problem so that we can inform my OBGYN so that he can make decisions about
in utero testing. If anyone can provide us with more information, it would
be greatly appreciated. THANKS !
Mr. and Mrs C. Varner, Pennsylvania, USA, September 16, 1998
• My wife who is 72 years old has IHSS and her blood
presure is approximately 190/80. She was placed on Maxide, a water pill,
to reduce the hypertension. The IHSS recently made her out of breath and
dizzy. Both calcium and beta blockers all has severe side effects. Tenormin
appeared to have the least side effects, but her quality of life was poor.
I took it on myself to reduce the Tenormin from 50 mgrs to 12.5 mgrms per
day with 17.5 mgrs of Maxide. She had the best six months in the past 3
years. We live in Phoenix Arizona and when the temperature reached 120
F she completely fell apart. I determined that her body fluid was depressed
due to the temperature and eliminated the Maxide and increased the Tenormin.
She appears to be improving. I would like to know should a person with
IHSS with a presure gradient of 30mm be on a water pill especially during
hot weather.
Seymour Licht P.E., engineer, Arizona, USA, July 17, 1998
• I have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) another
name for IHSS. Most of my family has it (I am a 46-year-old male). We have
been not terribly adversely affected but I have had brief runs of v-tach
and my brothers have had a fib. For the person taking Tenormin, it did
the same for me and I was substituted with Verapamil which got rid of those
side effects. My family also has pituitary tumors (3 people) and mild to
moderate hand abnormalities in addition to mild hypermobility. Can all
of this be related to HCM and how is it?
Tom Scott, patient, Maryland, USA, January 26, 1998
• I have IHSS and would like to know if any research
has been done that will help to prevent the heart from getting worse?
Darlene Myers, patient, USA, December 29, 1997
• I am a 54 year old woman with IHSS. I had dual
chamber pacemaker implanted July 1996. I take Tenormin 100 mg. in a.m.
and 50 mg. in p.m. I am still very fatigued and am becoming depressed.
Any suggestions to correct these problems would be appreciated. I'm also
looking for a support group. Local Mended Hearts group not able to identify
with my condition. Thanks.
Sharon Binder, patient, USA, October 27, 1997
• I agree with Dr. Varela. I'm an interventionalist
and if you already have a pacemaker implanted, you are partly protected
for some complications of that septal embolization -like heart block-.
This technique is getting wide acceptance, begining in the UK. I read a
paper from India - Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn; May 1997 issue-. They report
a case with good result, and almost abolition of intraventricular gradient.
Try septal embolization instead of surgery. Bye M. Kinergy.
Sergio Mejia, M.D., Ph.D., "Santa María" Cardiovascular Center,
Medellin, COLOMBIA, July 3, 1997
• There is data from Dr. Sigwart [Dr. Ulrich
Sigwart of the Royal
Brompton Hospital in London — ed.] about causing an occlusion
of the related septal branch using percutaneous approach. That will
decrease the outflow tract gradient and relieve the symptoms. Try asking
your physician about this instead of surgical treatment. Good luck,
Kingery.
Alexandre Manoel Varela, Hospital Universitário Cajuru -
PUC, BRAZIL, June 3, 1997
• I have Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic
Stenosis. I have a dual chamber pacemaker and am on Norpcace CR. Any
comments about my treatment? I am a 39 yr. old female and was diagnosed
2 yrs. ago. Have had pacer since August l995. There was talk of open
heart surgery to remove excess muscle tissue.
M. E. Kingery, patient, June 3, 1997
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