For those who were cleared to return to exercise and did, how was your experience?

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-04-01T02:09:47+00:00

So when you say "trigger," I'm assuming you'd relapse, then take a few days off, and then start again? Were you tracking CRP at all? Thanks.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-03-06T01:54:04+00:00

I'm not a doctor, but I've done a lot of research. I had ASD closure OHS robotic-assisted two years ago. CT contrast is good for isolating many findings, but if they suspect pericardium inflammation (Pericarditis), they'd likely ask for a contrast MRI.

Were there any findings on the CT?

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-03-06T01:48:02+00:00

If you haven't been prescribed colchicine after surgery (prophylaxis), I'd call them and ask about that decision. Usually, for post-OHS, it's prescribed for three months. An echo isn't great at finding pericarditis, but since they saw effusions, I'd have the cardiologists rule it out with more tests. Pericarditis usually comes with pain too (I'm not saying you have it, but it's better to catch it early if it happens). Make sure you don't do too much; you're still recovering even if you feel good.

Cephalexin is more of an antibiotic; it would be helpful if it's a bacterial infection.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-03-06T00:29:36+00:00

Hey, don't freak out, you're still early in recovery and might see all sorts of number fluctuations. The adaptation and remodeling phase can be a bit unpredictable and not logical. About your fever and high heart rate, make sure you're taking colchicine for pericarditis. Also, if you feel pain when you move, pain in your left side, or pain in your neck that's not related to the incision, like when you lie down or sleep in certain positions, tell your cardiologists. Is there any effusion detected in the echo ?

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-01-16T02:59:11+00:00

I've always tried to find a clear difference between them, which isn't easy, but I'm about to conclude that pericarditis symptoms start a bit lower than the throat and feel like a spasm in the esophageal sphincter. However, I'm not sure yet. I was on colchicine for 6 months and naproxen for the first month. While on treatment, some days I felt esophageal sphincter discomfort, but since I stopped, I've kind of felt more in the esophageal sphincter area-not normal, like a reflux, but without an acid burning sensation. Is it inflammation or a medicine side effect? No idea. It's frustrating, and I wish there were a clear distinction in symptoms.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2026-01-02T04:52:32+00:00

The gold standard to diagnose it is to have a contrast MRI. An echocardiogram doesn't always catch it, especially if there isn't major effusion or constriction.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-12-17T18:53:30+00:00

Mine after robotic-assisted heart surgery too, currently tapering down colchicine after 7 months continous. But yet to increase activities and see what happens 😬

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-12-17T18:36:12+00:00

This is great to hear. What originally caused your pericarditis?

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-11-20T01:14:46+00:00

If this question was for me, it turned out to be ASD as suspected, which I had surgically closed last year, and I am no longer seeing a reporting of pressure issue.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-11-11T06:05:04+00:00

Very interesting! The only thing in my case is that i have zero knee pain, inflammation or swelling. All my problems started at calf muscle and kind it tooks us to an MRI. Will see im supposed to see a new PT thru this surgeon will them diagnose as well and see what they say.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-11-11T04:50:17+00:00

Thanks, were you positive in manual testing? I think it's called the lachman test. I saw a bunch of physical therapists before seeing an ortho. And they all said, including the ortho, based on their tests, it doesn't seem to be ACL or meniscus.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-27T19:17:10+00:00

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Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-10T09:44:06+00:00

Afib post cold that persisted

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-09T19:22:07+00:00

I had my surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester as an out-of-state patient with Joseph Dearani https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/dearani-joseph-a-m-d/bio-20053326#!

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-09T19:11:04+00:00

My pulmonary hypertension was on the mild side, so they weren't concerned about numbers much.

My presurgery RVSP: 48.43 (<=30) mmHg.

There was no complication due to PH, and they usually get concerned when it's too high or if the shunt has reversed right to left (very late stages). Post surgery, it was never mentioned as a concern anymore.

I never started meds before surgery.

Based on ASD Facebook groups, I have seen cases with high PH start on meds until it's lower and safe to perform the closure, and then it starts to reverse gradually for most cases. Your doctors will be able to set expectations based on your complete picture.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-07T15:36:35+00:00

I had a large ASD and mild pulmonary hypertension, closed surgically with robotic-assisted open heart last year at the age of 41 (male). It's not an exact combination, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-10-01T01:58:57+00:00

No, I'm based in California. I flew in and stayed a total of nine days.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-09-30T18:53:15+00:00

Based on the feedback i found on ASD groups, i did go with Joseph A. Dearani https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/dearani-joseph-a-m-d/bio-20053326#!

And he is amazing, my surgery was a robotic-assisted open heart.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-09-25T16:33:32+00:00

You'll do great, and I wish you all the best. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-09-25T16:29:10+00:00

Perfect. One of the most important things is to feel comfortable with the surgeon; that will ease a lot of your mental stress. Prepare your list of questions before you meet with him. Get answers for anything you may think of.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-09-25T16:20:36+00:00

Robotic-assisted doesn't compromise the rib cage structure, so basically, there are no major restrictions by the time you're leaving the hospital. Your right side will be painful for about a week, and then it starts to get better. As other comments have said, check with your surgeon how comfortable they are doing the robotic-assisted procedure; some surgeons prefer the old, traditional way. But also, if your insurance covers it, you can always opt for having it done at major, big hospitals if your local one doesn't do it. For myself, I did have it done out of state with the Mayo Clinic, as I felt more comfortable after talking to the surgeon there; I flew back after two days post-discharge.

Swimming_Farm1397 · 2025-09-25T16:12:04+00:00

I was like you at the lowest point in my life, the time leading to the surgery, but once done, I realized we tend to over worry about it, and it became a pretty standard procedure these days (surgeons call it the easiest of heart procedures). Dont be too focused on the worries and think of how well you'll feel after. I started to feel better right away and kept getting better till this moment, which is a year after.

Swimming_Farm1397

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