Getting Closer

[carlapv]

Hi All,
Had my TEE done on Tuesday. The 3 or 4 I had before this one were a breeze, this one was terrible. My Cardio said he wanted to get really good pictures so it took forever and when it was finally over my throat was really sore and my tongue and lips were swollen and back (from the probe I quess).
My cardio says it is time for surgery both Aortic and Mitral are now moderately restricted and both have moderate regurgitation. He says that more than explains my shortness of breath. He has scheduled a heart cath for the 8th. The last one I had the doctor just used one groin area, this time he says both and he has scheduled a second doctor to be there. He says it will be a longer procedure this time. Then I will see the surgeon and a date will be set . I am still hoping I can put it off till after Christmas so my insurance will kick in, but will do whatever docs think is best. Saw the pulmonary doctor Wednesday and he says my lungs are clear and should be no problem for the surgery.

Is using both groin areas a common occurence? I don't look forward to this, the procedure itself is not too bad with all the versed and stuff, it's the laying still for hours that drives me crazy. Everything begins to itch, you have to go to the john, just everything that requires movement occurs while you are not supposed to move.

Oh well, the answers are beginning to come. It will truly be nice to feel good again and to be able to do the things I enjoy. I still haven't come to terms with the respirator yet but I am working on it.

Carla

 

[Nancy]

Hi Carla-

Sorry to hear that things are approaching soon for you, but it really is bad news and then good news. You'll be on the road to recovery sooner, and by the time the holidays get here, you'll be able to enjoy them.

As far as the caths, Joe's had many of them, but not on both groin areas. He's had the neck a couple of times, the arm, and the groin, one-sided, several times. It sounds as if your doctor is extremely thorough. That's wonderful. The more information that can be gathered prior to surgery, the fewer surprises there will be once surgery is begun, and I'm sure that makes everything much easier. You're in very good hands.

Just let the pros handle the heavy-duty stuff from now on.

Take care,

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Carla,

Maybe you could ask for more information on why he needs to go in through both sides. . . my doc went in through the one side and seemed to get info from both sides of the heart + pics of the coronary arteries. I wonder what he is getting from one side that he is not getting from the other?

Also, you may want to ask about getting a PERCLOSE (sp?) procedure done after the cath. I had one done and was up and walking in 20 minutes - which is great, because I have the attention span of a gnat. They offered three options for closing me up - and this one was the shortest wait.

Good luck!

Melissa

 

[Ross]

Carla I'm unsure about both sides. Left and Right is what he's after and they wanted to do mine like that also. The poor Doc that got to do mine couldn't get through my greenfield filter so he skipped the left side. He told me that there isn't anything from that side that they can't see with an echo or TEE. Not much help, but I thought you might like to hear that.

 

[LoraW30]

I had a heart cath on both sides last March. The reason being, the doctor sent three caths into my heart to measure three pressures. It's not a big deal. It just takes a little longer to be up and around. I had to stay in bed for several hours and then I had to be extremely careful about weight placement for the rest of the day. The big concern is bleeding. Are you on a blood thinner? If not, you won't have quite the worry of getting up and around. Ask your doctor if they plan on sedating you. If your nervous about lying still for a few hours, the sedation will help relax you and keep you still. Definitely ask what drugs they are going to use and what procedures they'll be using.


Good Luck!!!
Lora

 

[bvdr]

Hi Carla,

Sorry your TEE was so uncomfortable. I haven't ever had one. They are going to do one intra-operatively when they do my valve replacement next month.

I had a right and left-sided heart cath in January. They were able to get simultaneous pressures by using two catheters but both were in the right groin. I had coronary artery spasms during the cath and had major angina. I had had them many times before but of course never had them while I was so nicely being monitored and everything got well documented. At times you almost want to say..."see, I told you so"

Our conditions are pretty similar and both from RHD. My mitral valve is mod. Stenosis, and mod/severe regurg. My aortic however is only mild/moderate regurg and no hemodynamically significant stenosis. My tri-cuspid has moderate regurg. Like you, my biggest problem is extreme shortness of breath with very little exertion. I am not sure how involved this upcoming surgery will be yet. It may just be the mitral valve replacement. The Duke cardiogist made the comment that the aortic valve might not need to be taken care of in my first heart surgery - as if I had signed up for series of them or something. I think he thought that was reassuring since he had just nixed the valvoplasty and could tell I was disappointed. He was really very very nice.

You said you had a valvoplasty several years back that worked very well. Was your Rheumatic Fever diagnosed when you had it?
I'm like you- very ready to start feeling better again. I've started my Georgia-prescribed shopping (thanks Georgia) and taking care of clearing my calander.

I'm anxious to find out what they tell you after your cath. I hope you do really well with that too. Maybe they can give you more valium afterwards to help you lay still a little easier. It wouldn't be so bad if the dye didn't act as such a powerful diuretic and you could somehow avoid that bedpan!

Have a good week-end Carla and have some fun!
God Bless,
Betty(bvdr)

 

[Guest]

Hi Carla!

I've had two heart caths both done from the groin area. The first one was uncomfortable- the laying still part of it--they put a heavy weight on the groin area--like a sand bag--for a few hours after the cath. I was so stiff I didn't think I would be able to move again! The second was much different, and much less stressful.
Immediately after the procedure, a nurse applied pressure to the area and then they plugged the area with something (can't remember the name of it!) and I had to just lie still for a few hours and....Viola!!....I was home by early evening!

Before my second cath, I made a request of my cardiologist....I wanted the best looking,male, post surgerical nurse to apply pressure to my groin....you know....about 6'3". muscular, dark hair, nice smile

Take care, you'll be fine!

Julia

 

[carlapv]

Thanks everyone for the replies. As far as the hunk to apply pressure I don't know if my heart could stand that ! That might elevate my BP ...... but then again, it might be worth it!

Thanks again for being here for me. I hope sometime I can help someone to get through this.

Carla

 

[Granbonny]

Carla

Carla

What hospital will you be having your surgery at..I had mine at St. Joseph's..Wonderful with great nurses..No pain.Bonnie

 

[carlapv]

Hi Bonnie

Hi Bonnie

I will be going to Emory. My surgeon Doug Morris is there. He did my valvuloplasty. The Heart Center at Emory is really good, but I must say the "no pain" sure sounds good to me.

Carla