TEE on Thursday - Translator needed

[pipersmith]

Good morning all!

I scheduled a TEE on next Thursday and understand that the doc will explain the findings at that time. So.... I am requesting a crash course in all those little readings - meanings, normals. I am a newby and am relatively unversed - although I am learning quite a lot and mostly from this site

Any info or advice for additional questions I need to ask the doc are welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mary]

Good morning all!

I scheduled a TEE on next Thursday and understand that the doc will explain the findings at that time. So.... I am requesting a crash course in all those little readings - meanings, normals. I am a newby and am relatively unversed - although I am learning quite a lot and mostly from this site

Any info or advice for additional questions I need to ask the doc are welcome.

Thanks in advance

Piper,
I don't think the cardiologist will recite many numbers when he talks to you, but you will have them on the report that's generated. I've gone through and read your posts, and see that you've had an echo done. If you had those numbers, it would be helpful to compare with the TEE results. It's important to get the echo and Tee reports, so I would concentrate on getting them.

I would advise you to listen to what he says, ask for a ballpark figure for the timing of surgery, and if he thinks you will need surgery relatively soon, ask if he has any recommendations for a surgeon.

By the way, I am a mother of five, and my symptons originally appeared during the last pregnancy but then lessened until about five years ago. I had my stenotic aortic valve replaced in June of 2005.
Good luck, and don't worry.
Mary

 

[Soilman]

Piper,

I had a TEE done not quite a year ago. The worst part of it was the stuff they gave me to numb my throat. Afterwards, all I suffered was a mild sore throat for a day or so.

In my case, the Doc. did give me the results immediately after the TEE. However, as I was warned, I don't remember much of what was said. The anasthetic causes a kind of memory loss. It's kind of weird. When they wake you up after the proccedure, you feel fairly awake and alert, but sleepy. You hear and understand what is said and even ask some questions. Then you lay down and finish sleeping off the rest of the anastetic. Then, when you REALLY wake back up, everything you previously were told or ask is very foggy and vague in you memory. Have someone with you to remember what was really said! You may even need a follow up or something with your cardiologist.

Good luck

 

[pipersmith]

Thank you so much for the kind words and advice. When I spoke to the nurse to schedule the test - I asked "how long will this take, about an hour in the office? I have to pick up kids at three." She laughed and explained about the meds. My sister or husband will most likely be there.
I am looking forward to having more definitive answers - not so many questions. I am also starting to understand the "measurements" - I am glad it is not such a mystery. I have had soooo many questions - all answered here Thank goodness for you all.....