Heart cath

[TammyM]

I had my heart cath yesterday and there were no blockages or other surprises...just those dang leaky valves.
However - I am now more freaked out than ever about surgery! Everyone I know personally who has had a heart cath said it was no big deal. Also, from what I have read on here, everyone said it was no big deal.
BUT IT HURT! From the numbing shots to inserting to closing - OUCH! They kept pumping more and more drugs into me because I was sobbing like a baby. I am normally a very good patient and always thought I had a high pain tolerance. Today, I am so bruised that it hurts to do anything except lay down.
Is this a normal experience?????
Tammy

 

[Karlynn]

Tammy,
It's been over 14 years since my last 2 caths and I still remember them well. One was a regular cath, one was an EPS (trying to find some sort of short circuit in my hearts electrical wiring that might have been causing my arrhythmia - it was unsuccessful).

I felt EVERYTHING! Exactly as you describe, from the cut in the groin to the catheter working it's way up into my heart. I think you and I are the exceptions. Even with heavy sedation (and I'm hard to sedate) I felt everything. The doctor performing the cath thought I was joking when I told him I could feel everthing, then he started questioning me as to where the end of the cath was, and I always got it right!

I've asked many people if they could feel the whole procedure and most have said 'no'.

Don't let your cath experience freak you out anymore than is normal for your surgery. Don't forget, you will be out! Off in dreamland.

Logically my mind would tell me to be more worried about another surgery, than another cath. But it's the caths I remember and dread having to have one of those again. OHS would be disturbing - but not from the discomfort standpoint.

I'm one of those people that can feel each and every irregular heart beat too. My bro-in-law is in continual A-fib and doesn't feel it - that amazes me!

 

[Mama2Rylan]

Sorry to hear your cath experience didnt go very well...I was told also that it was "no big deal" but my experience wasnt all that great either...while the procedure went ok i guess (everyone was being very sweet to me, which help ALOT! There were also a couple people observing, and they were talking amongst themselves, kinda joking around...well i just focused on them) Afterwards, when i woke up i didn't remember anything...i didnt remember the day or where i was..i didn't even remember that i was six months pregnant!! This lasted for about 5-10 minutes but luckily my mom was there to sort of "remind" me of things..
I was told I would have to lay flat for a couple hours just until the two small incisions closed real well...about an hour and half into it,one of them burst open and hurt SOOOO bad!!! of course the only way to stop the bleeding was for the nurse to apply pressure for 20 minutes..so that hurt even more...so after my little "crisis" I forced my mom to check the incisions every 10 minutes...
But now its all over...i feel very greatful that is out of the way

BTW..I could also feel where it was too!...Since I was pregnant they didnt want to give me as much "meds" as they would regularly, so it WAS pretty uncomfortable...

 

[Georgia]

I was so panicked at the thought of a cath that they put me out completely; gee - that wasn't bad at all. Also had me on tranqs for a couple days prior to the cath. Didn't use any tranquillizers prior to ohs - I think the cath used up all my anxiety.

 

[Ashley]

I had my heart cath yesterday and there were no blockages or other surprises...just those dang leaky valves.
However - I am now more freaked out than ever about surgery! Everyone I know personally who has had a heart cath said it was no big deal. Also, from what I have read on here, everyone said it was no big deal.
BUT IT HURT! From the numbing shots to inserting to closing - OUCH! They kept pumping more and more drugs into me because I was sobbing like a baby. I am normally a very good patient and always thought I had a high pain tolerance. Today, I am so bruised that it hurts to do anything except lay down.
Is this a normal experience?????
Tammy

Hi Tammy!
Sounds normal to me! I think people quickly forget how big a deal the cath is -when it is weeks or months later and everything is healed and back to normal. It does hurt! I think the worse part was the numbing shot - because you aren't numb before they do that! OUCH! I too had to have several doses of the calming drug, which did work quite well. I was quite bruised too - but all will be better in a day or two - not to worry! I think the groin is a pretty sensitive area - it doesn't like to be messed with. Good to hear you made it through with no surprises
Ashley

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

The one cath I had was pretty cool. I don't remember the incision hurting and I was able to watch the screen and see the little wire going up and into the heart. Pretty neat! My heartrate did slow quite a bit at one point and they gave me something by IV to speed it up. My poor husband was more freaked out over the thing than I was. Went to the office the next day.

Mama2Ryan - Where are you in Wisconsin? I was born and raised in Madison.

 

[MarkU]

I had my first catherization about 38 years ago at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. It was an awful experience - comparable to medieval torture in my mind.
My pre-op cath four years ago was a completely different experience - no major discomfort and it was over before I knew it.

Mark

 

[Cris N]

I think my dr must be afraid to face his patients in the cath lab. I was completely out, no bruising. (I'm assuming they really did do the cath) The only problem I had was finally getting to drink some juice... and then throwing up.

Cris

 

[Karlynn]

I had my first catherization about 38 years ago at Riley Hospital in Indianapolis. It was an awful experience - comparable to medieval torture in my mind.
My pre-op cath four years ago was a completely different experience - no major discomfort and it was over before I knew it.

Mark

Was this during the time when they always went through the arm?

 

[tobagotwo]

I was quite awake for my cath. They asked, and I foolishly said I wanted to see everything, so they gave me the lightest dose.

I did feel the shots for the local, but they were regular shots. I only felt pressure from the incision, which means the local worked. I suspect some of the problems here may come from doctors who either don't understand how to give locals in that area, or who didn't wait for them to take effect (remember how the dentist makes you wait).

I did feel the catheter coming through most of the artery, and it did feel it bumping around in my heart. I was fascinated by it, so maybe it didn't seem that bad to me. I couldn't say that it hurt, but it was mildly unpleasant.

I got to watch the screens and ask annoying questions. I remember them and the procedure vividly, so I am certain I had the light dose.

The only bad part was when the cardiologist put the pressure patch on the incision and held it there with all his might. I am loaded with nerve endings in that area, and it was like someone continually pounding your funny bone with a mallet. I was pinioned like a butterfly on a pin. The cardio seemed to think that was a fairly unusual response. He said I must have "gotten in touch with your female side." I don't know if that means it happens to women more frequently, or if it was just a chauvanist remark about the magnitude of my reaction.

I was fine all the way up until then, but next time would find out if I could have more happy juice just before the end.

Best wishes,
While I'm glad I

 

[twinmaker]

I remember my first cath really well. It was in 1974 and done in an army hospital. Believe it or not, after they got the cath in, they strapped one of my feet to a bike pedal and it was attached to some kind of machine and they told me to start pedalling. Of course, my other leg was immobile because of the catheter being in my groin. I'm not kidding. Did anyone else who had a cath way back then experience this? Maybe it was just the torture that army hospitals put people through.

 

[Mama2Rylan]

The one cath I had was pretty cool. I don't remember the incision hurting and I was able to watch the screen and see the little wire going up and into the heart. Pretty neat! My heartrate did slow quite a bit at one point and they gave me something by IV to speed it up. My poor husband was more freaked out over the thing than I was. Went to the office the next day.

Mama2Ryan - Where are you in Wisconsin? I was born and raised in Madison.

Hi Peggy! I live in LaCrosse...its a couple hours from Madison. I have an aunt who lives in Madison (actually Poynette) and her name is Peggy too

Twinmaker..that sounds like a HORRIBLE experience I can't believe they would make you do that during that kind of procedure....it does sound like some kind of tortoure!!

 

[geebee]

I had my first cath in 1979 and they went in through my right arm. According to the cath report the "vein was then sacrificed". I get this mental picture of someone holding the vein up in the air as an offering to the heart gods. Anyway, it was not a pleasant experience.

During my second cath, I had my first episode of atrial fib so I was quite scared because I didn't know what was happening. I just know there was a lot of action and some meds shot into the IV and, after a sharp pain in my heart, the rate went back to normal.

My third cath was done while my INR was at 2.6. There was a lot of tension in the lab because I think everyone expected me to start shooting blood out of my arteries. However, it was the easiest of the three despite the lengthened time of the heavy sandbags.

The biggest issue I have with caths is the dye. Hate it !!!!!

Tammy - happy to hear you don't have any problems other than the ;eaky valves. I hope all goes well for you when you have your surgery.

 

[gadgetman]

I remember my first cath really well. It was in 1974 and done in an army hospital. Believe it or not, after they got the cath in, they strapped one of my feet to a bike pedal and it was attached to some kind of machine and they told me to start pedalling. Of course, my other leg was immobile because of the catheter being in my groin. I'm not kidding. Did anyone else who had a cath way back then experience this? Maybe it was just the torture that army hospitals put people through.

They were just using you to power the generator . Or maybe the General had to make a call .

I was one of the fortunate ones. I've had 3 caths so far and the worse part was having to lay still for 4 or 5 hours while the incision closed. I also had a radiofrequency ablation where they go in the groin and both shoulders. They used a "plug" for that one and I was up and walking in about an hour. Recently I underwent the insertion of an AICD which is "packed" in your shoulder and inserted through a vein to your heart. I was fully awake for this one (until they tested the unit--thank God) and remembered the Doc talking to someone about threading the lead down to my heart. I told him I didn't want to hear the word "OOOOOPS" to which he repeated "You heard that, no OOOPS!!!!"

Tammy,

What one person's "cup of tea" is another's "poison". Sorry you had such a bad experience. Make sure your Surgeon is aware of your resistance to meds so they can plan for it.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[MarkU]

Was this during the time when they always went through the arm?

No, it was through my leg, but a pretty good incision that required several stitches. My leg was stiff and sore for several days afterwards.

The worst part was that the pain meds wore off during the procedure and I had to ask a couple of times to get some more.

Mark

 

[Natanni]

Husband's didn't go well

Husband's didn't go well

My husband had his first cardiac cath on June 9th and we were expecting it to be a breeze. Not so, they were able to access the artery without many problems but had a very hard time finding his vein (femoral area). He is now looking at surgery in Sept and we are finding that they didn't retrieve all the necessary info and may want to try again and husband absolutey refuses.

 

[lance]

"vein wasthen sacrificed"?

"vein wasthen sacrificed"?

"Vein was then sacrificed"? Does that mean your vein was tied shut? That's what happened to me and no one bothered to tell me and mine was done in 1999.

That cath procedure was far harder on me than the valve replacement surgery and to this day I would like to use a nut cracker on that cardiologist--you can guess where. He no longer does caths. Any wonder? I lost a lot of blood, felt terrible after and ended up in another hospital. I hate caths.

I'm off my soapbox now.

Cheers

I had my first cath in 1979 and they went in through my right arm. According to the cath report the "vein was then sacrificed". I get this mental picture of someone holding the vein up in the air as an offering to the heart gods. Anyway, it was not a pleasant experience.

During my second cath, I had my first episode of atrial fib so I was quite scared because I didn't know what was happening. I just know there was a lot of action and some meds shot into the IV and, after a sharp pain in my heart, the rate went back to normal.

My third cath was done while my INR was at 2.6. There was a lot of tension in the lab because I think everyone expected me to start shooting blood out of my arteries. However, it was the easiest of the three despite the lengthened time of the heavy sandbags.

The biggest issue I have with caths is the dye. Hate it !!!!!

Tammy - happy to hear you don't have any problems other than the ;eaky valves. I hope all goes well for you when you have your surgery.

 

[Wise]

Tammy,

I know everyone is different in how we experience these procedures, but I thought I may be the only weird one because my only cath so far hurt and was very uncomfortable. I also am usually not a "cry baby" and have high pain tolerance, but I probably came close to wanting my mommy. Also, the day I got home I had to chase my then puppy bichon frise around the back yard trying to get a dead baby rabbit out of his mouth. Best of luck.

Wise

 

[geebee]

"Vein was then sacrificed"? Does that mean your vein was tied shut? That's what happened to me and no one bothered to tell me and mine was done in 1999.

That cath procedure was far harder on me than the valve replacement surgery and to this day I would like to use a nut cracker on that cardiologist--you can guess where. He no longer does caths. Any wonder? I lost a lot of blood, felt terrible after and ended up in another hospital. I hate caths.

I'm off my soapbox now.

Cheers

Yup - they tied the vein off and didn't tell me that either. Sure left me with one less source of blood letting for INR (PT at that time) testing.

I am not a huge fan of caths either. I hope I am through for this lifetime.

 

[PJ829]

I was worried about my heart cath more than I was about my valve surgery. The morning of the heart cath I got a really bad case of diarrhea due to nerves although I though I had them under control. The heart cath turned out to be a piece of cake for me. Before I was preped I was given a shot of something in my IV to make me groggy. Just before I was wheeled into the procedure room the nurse asked me if I wanted more. Heck yeah. I ended up sleeping through the procedure until the end when they were going to shoot the dye they said I would feel warm. My only problem was afterwards, the medication used to make me groggy made me sick. I don't handle anesthesia well at all.