Having a TEE this Wednesday

[Danny]

After doing my cath, my doctor (actually another doctor in the practice) said he wanted me to get a TEE to get a better view of my aortic valve before referring me to a surgeon.

I have been waiting weeks for them to get that scheduled and finally got the word tonight that it has been scheduled for this Wednesday morning -- four weeks to the day after my cath.

Though they tell me it's time for surgery, they don't seem to be in a rush to these tests done and refer me to a surgeon. I am still asymptomatic, so I guess I have the luxury of a a little more-relaxed schedule.

I have been doing a lot of reading on the TEE procedure and it doesn't seem all that bad. I was pretty freaked out before the cath, but this test sounds much less scary.

To those who have had a TEE before, I would very much appreciate hearing about your experience and any tips you might have for me.

 

[PJmomrunner]

I don't remember a whole lot,

I don't remember a whole lot,

but I remember being hooked up to an IV, gargling with some nasty-tasting, throat-numbing liquid; having something nasty tasting stuff sprayed on the back of my throat; and having a tough time following instructions not to swallow "or you'll choke"--I choked. I have no recollection of the actual procedure. My friend took notes of what the doctor said after the procedure, which helped to "remember" his talking to me. I had a scratchy throat for two or three days afterward, which was a good excuse to have hard candy. All-in-all no big deal.

P. J.

 

[Nancy]

Joe's had quite a few of them. First of all, make sure the doc who is going to do it is very experienced. Secondly, tell them in no uncertain terms that you want to feel as little as possible, period! Thirdly, it is an excellent test and gives very good information, and it is relatively short.

They will numb your throat with some strange tasting stuff and then give you twilight type stuff, so you'll be very relaxed.

The worst TEE that Joe had was with an inexperienced cardiologist. I guess he was practicing on Joe, who did NOT appreciate it at all. He banged around in Joe's throat, did not give enough numbing stuff, or enough twilight stuff. Maybe he took so long trying to do the procedure, everything wore off, don't know, but I don't want it to happen to you. Make sure on this one.

The best TEE was done by a cardiologist who does them all the time. It went smooth as silk, and was finished in about 20 minutes.

That's the kind of TEE you want.

 

[Mary]

Danny,
It's like Nancy says. Alot of it depends upon who does the procedure.
My husband helps with TEEs and bronchoscopies. He mentioned yesterday that the cardiologist he was assisting during the TEE said he could never imagine himself having one himself! (confidence building huh?)

On the other hand, one of the anethesiologist, who also performs the procedures, wraps a tongue depressor with gauze, soaks it in liquid lanocaine, and has the patient suck on it like a lollipop for five minutes or so. His patients never have discomfort.
Maybe you can ask them how they numb the throat, and lobby for more medication before they start.
I hope this helps.

 

[Superbob]

Totally dumb question from a newbie:

What does TEE stand for? I have trouble keeping up with all the acronyms. Need to compile a glossary.

Anyway, best wishes for a smooth TEE, Danny.

Bob

 

[Mary]

Trans esophagial echocardiogram, I believe. Not sure about the spelling

 

[KathyH]

TEE= Transesophageal Echo. They use a probe and go down your esophagus and it gives a good view of the valves.
I had no problem with my TEE. The versed didn't put me to sleep, but I was interested with what was going on. It was not bad at all. Most people fall asleep during it.
KathyH

 

[KAJ]

Make sure they sedate you well enough so you can sleep through it. I was wake during the entire ordeal . In fact, I could not tolerate the procedure, so the doctor had to stop. After that, we changed cardiologists. I would rather have another heart cath.

Karl

TEE= Transesophageal Echo. They use a probe and go down your esophagus and it gives a good view of the valves.
I had no problem with my TEE. The versed didn't put me to sleep, but I was interested with what was going on. It was not bad at all. Most people fall asleep during it.
KathyH

 

[liza]

I had quite a different kind of experience with a TEE. I remember the gargling with lidocaine and having to swallow it, (It was gross!) and the spraying, but still being able to feel my throat. Then they gave me some Versed (a sedative), and tried to begin. I remember panicking thinking I was going to throw up and not much else. after that Apparently they gave me 3 times the dose of the sedative, but still weren't able to perform the TEE. I found out afterwards that I kept trying to pull it out. So, that's my experience with TEE. I hope it goes better for you, and in your drugged state you are more cooperative than I was.

Liza

 

[karlaosh]

Danny-

My cardiologist performed the TEE himself. Beforehand, he promised me that I'd be very comfortable with medications--and I was. So comfortable that all I remember is the numbing spray (which I didn't think was bad at all) and then "waking up" in the procedure room with my husband sitting there waiting for me to come around.

I know I was given Versed and something else...

So I'd echo everyone else's sentiments that your level of sedation--and thus comfort or discomfort--is in the hands of the cardiologist performing the test. If it were me in the hands of a cardiologist I didn't know, I'd ask for Versed. Conscious sedation can be a beautiful thing.

Karla

 

[savysmommy]

Well, I remember almost all of mine. The stuff the spray in your throat taste grose. It didnt bother me at all to be awake, I was pretty comfortable during the majority of the procedure.

The hardest part was when he was pulling out the tube.. I started to gag.. but, that was the worst of it for me.

Good luck!

 

[gadgetman]

Danny,

I was one of many who helped you through your Cath . I can't help with the TEE because that was one test they didn't try on me. You are getting a lot of responses to your request for info and it looks like the best advice is "SLEEP THROUGH IT"

Good luck on your test and we will send prayers and good thoughts your way.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[gijanet]

Good luck tomorrow, Danny............

Good luck tomorrow, Danny............

Sending prayers and hugs. Post when you can. Janet

 

[hensylee]

I can't help, but I can read, so you have to come back with a report. Best wishes today.

 

[Rivet]

I had it done. Don't remember anything about the actual procedure besides the numbing spray (a funky cherry flavored substance) and receiving the sedative.
Be sure not to eat anything after midnight the day before the procedure.
You will need a ride home also.

Afterwards, your throat will feel sore, so have some cough drops or sore throat drops to suck on.

Not as a big a deal as the cath.

 

[KMB]

I was dreading my TEE when I had to have it - plus the doctor that was supposed to do it got delayed for 2 hours. I don't even remember the procedure at all. I just remember the yucky spray they put in to numb your throat. The nurse said it was banana flavored but I would have to disagree.
Good luck! Be sure to get lost of rest in afterwards and you'll feel much better!

 

[Danny]

It's over

It's over

Hi everyone,

I just got home from the TEE and did just fine with it. The doctor was delayed about 90 minutes so I laid on the table for a long time, but it was no big deal. The worse thing is that I am SO hungry and thirsty and have to wait another hour or two before I can eat!

For some reason, Versed doesn't seem to do much to me. I barely noticed a "calming" effect when I had the cath and this time with the TEE. I experienced none of the amnesia that people talk about. I remember everyhing. The nurse said that can happen to people who have had alcohol recently. Well, I always have a cocktail the night before the calm my nerves. Now I know! ;-)

Next step for me is to see my cardiologist in 2 weeks. Then he will refer me to a surgeon.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Danny

 

[Nancy]

Nice to see the post and in spite of the fact that Versed did nothing for you, you weren't too traumatized. You must have had an excellent cardiologist doing it, no recent graduates .

Nice to have it over with.

 

[KMB]

Danny
I am also glad that everything went well and sorry that you had to remember it. Drugs are weird aren't they!! Good luck at the doctor in a couple weeks!

 

[Danny]

The throat-numbing stuff was not nearly as yucky tasting as I was warned. It was like gargling cough syrup -- not really fun but not really unpleasant. It started to wear off as I waited for my tardy doctor and they gave be a squirt of something that took care of it. (I got curious during the wait and tested my gag reflex with my finger. It was there, so I let the team know and they took care of it.)

I wasn't at all asleep but it was not a horrible experience. I gagged a little at first, but I was reasonably comfortable and it was over quickly. Before the test, a tech showed me the end of the transducer and pointed out how I swallow bites of food every day that are larger than that. Thinking about it that way, it didn't seem so bad! I suggest to anyone dreading this test to remember that.

I am probably a couple of months away from OHS. I haven't even talked with a surgeon yet. I know it's a MUCH bigger deal than this little test but I hope that, like this test, the thought of it is much worse than the reality.

Cheers,
Danny