Mitchell Report

health

Great news today at my follow-up with my hypertrophic cardiomyopathy specialist. Camzyos is really starting to work. My most recent echo earlier this week was excellent, and so was the heart cath I had in late December.

In fact, the heart cath showed that Camzyos is working well enough that I do not need to rush into an alcohol ablation or a septal myectomy. If I ever do need an intervention in the future, my doctor said I would be a good candidate for septal alcohol ablation.

I also told my doctor that, if at all possible, I would prefer to stay on medication and avoid any surgical treatment.

More good news: I will not have to see him or have another echo for six months.

I told the doctor I have been feeling great since starting Camzyos. My metoprolol dose was increased last month, and I have been sleeping much better. He said everything seems to have calmed down, and my gradients with exertion have improved greatly. So, no immediate decisions need to be made.

He also had a positive conversation with the cardiac interventionist and personally read my echo himself. It looked good, and he is pleased. I told him that I think staying consistent with my medication has helped. Lately, I have not had delays caused by the pharmacy needing certain tests before refilling my prescription, and I have not had any breaks where I was off the medication.

That means my main job now is simply dealing with the pharmacy and making sure I get my Camzyos on time each month.

So let's pray it keeps trending in the right direction. I actually feel normal for once.

#health #news #personal

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Detailed pen-and-ink illustration showing a patient consulting with a cardiologist in a medical office. The patient, a middle-aged man with glasses, sits at a wooden desk, looking thoughtful. Across from him, the doctor wears glasses, a tie, and a stethoscope, leaning forward while writing on a notepad. On the desk lie medical charts and a tablet showing a heart image. Behind them is a wall poster labeled “Septal Myectomy” and “Alcohol Septal Ablation,” a bookshelf, and a window with blinds filtering soft light.

A serious medical discussion about heart treatment options between a patient and his cardiologist.

This has taken me so long to post because I am still trying to process a lot of stuff and weighing a lot of pros and cons. I went to my HCM Cardiologist (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Specialist) recently. I had an ECHO first then saw him. It was not good news from the ECHO. Even though I feel no symptoms with the Camzyos, I will need to take drastic measures in the future, though the timeline wasn't really given. But my gradients are not improving. Last time my gradient at Valsalva was significantly elevated with 100% obstruction. This time it was still elevated and still 100% obstruction at Valsalva.

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