TOE does anyone have advice

[Dudtbin]

i am going for a TOE next week am trying not to be nervous think im more worried about 7am start!

Any advice on how to cope?

[Jalia]

Let them know you are nervous, if they haven't already sussed it 🤔, and you should be given a squirt of a throat numbing liquid first. Try to relax and it will all be over before you know it.

I can't pretend it's a great experience because it's not. I just tell myself how vital the procedure is to detect nasty clots. I have to admit that prior to my first ablation I was more concerned about the TOE than the actual ablation!

You will be fine !

[Dudtbin in reply to Jalia]

thank you, did you have sedation ? I think they will offer it.

[Jalia in reply to Dudtbin]

Yes! Take everything they offer 😁!

[DawnTX in reply to Dudtbin]

I have a feeling a TOE is what they call a TEE here in the states. If they do it right, it’s not that big a deal you are going under GA I hope. And they gave me a really good squirt of some thing that tasted like a bad cough, drop and made sure I was numb, in fact, gave me a second squirt. The next thing I know there was a block for me to have between my teeth. It has a hole in the center. I barely remember biting on that and I was out like a light. I had mine as part of my cardioversion and the next thing I know I was waking up feeling good I was feeling good because my first cardioversion worked and my heart rate was 82 it had been in the 150s when I went to sleep.

[Dudtbin in reply to DawnTX]

Thanks I think sedation on offer here not ga but that's fine.

[DawnTX in reply to Dudtbin]

the only time I got to sedation when is my first catheterization testing other than that I get GA. Best of luck you should be fine.

[Dudtbin]

i will 😂

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Dudtbin]

If they ask if you want sedation say 'yes lots please'. That's what I do.

[pottypete1]

They offered me sedation and they also sprayed a throat spray into your throat first.

Not pleasant but will be over quickly and normally the sedation has an amnesic effect so you should remember very little.

Pete

[mav7 in reply to pottypete1]

I was under sedation and experienced no complications.

Keep in mind the TOE provides an excellent view of your heart which is extremely beneficial. Very, very worthwhile to have the procedure.

[Angie06]

Hi, I've had a couple of Toe,s and dreaded it like you and was very nervous. I always end up cracking stupid jokes and making daft comments when I'm nervous so wasn't looking forward to it and asked for sedation. Although it wasn't a great experience, it wasn't much worse than an endoscopy and was over very quickly. No after effects from the sedation and an hour later I was in a nearby pub eating sausage and mash, having gone without food for about 15hrs ( had to travel up to London early morning) as it was about midday. Felt very relieved and slightly proud of myself afterwards 🤣

[Peddling]

I had mine done at Bart’s last November. I had the spray + sedation and honestly didn’t feel any discomfort. Like you I had been dreading it. I was treated very well and had a detailed explanation of the results later that afternoon.

[Redwing30]

I ,like you was very nervous and voiced it to staff.I had throat spray and sedation and all I really remember was being asked to swallow at the beginning of the procedure.I dreaded it but was pleasantly surprised that the next thing I remembered was being back in my bed in the day ward.Good luck and I hope all goes well for you .

[johnMiosh]

I had it done several years ago on the day before Good Friday. I had to drive and so couldn't have sedation. I thought that it could not be worse the the endoscopy I'd had a few years previously. One good point was that the new throat spray was so much better than the old banana flavoured one. The whole experience was still wholly unpleasant, so would definitely recommend as much sedation as they will give you.

[Hidden]

had mine at Basildon. Was given sedation staff brilliant. Throat bit sore for a couple of hours No problems for you to be worried Good luck At least they can see how bad the leaky valve was !!

[OzJames]

Relax nothing to worry about I’ve had 2 done prior to cardioversions. The purpose is to see if any clots have formed in the heart. They sedate you then some minutes later you wake up in recovery.

[Dudtbin]

thank you all for encouragement, this is such a great forum.

[Barb1]

I had a GA as my consultant knows how nervous I am but it was private.

[Blueflags]

Hi Dudtbin, I was supposed to have a TOE (a few years ago now) the system got mixed up and I should have had it a week before my apparent first ablation! Got to the hospital, very nervous, prepared for it on the ward, taken to theatre. The Dr. explained what was going to happen, because of my upcoming ablation the following week! I explained that I hadn’t had any appointment for ablation so Dr. said they couldn’t do the procedure as I hadn’t been informed of the ablation appointment. OMG I had a mixture of anger and relief, so went home without procedure. I can only think that it would be like an Endoscopy which I have had. They will give you sedation and a throat spray, you can feel the little tube being pushed down the throat, BUT honestly I was amazed how quickly it was done, and I’m probably like a lot of people, very anxious, and quite honestly would not feel worried about anything like that again, you will be fine, the staff are great and keep you comfortable, good luck 😊😊

[Dudtbin]

thank you