Transesophageal Echocardiogram

[Dickydon]

Anyone had one?

Due this morning to have this for them to have a closer look at my leaky aortic valve!

[Stample]

I have had a couple of them when they were looking at my leaky mitral valve.

They will sedate you. I have almost no recollection of the actual procedure.

Also make sure you have someone accompanying you because of the sedation.

Good luck !

[Dickydon in reply to Stample]

Thanks in waiting room now. Someone is picking me up when done.

How long were you in recovery room for before coming out?

[Stample in reply to Dickydon]

Because of the sedation my memories after are foggy at best. According to my friend who collected me it wasn't long.

[Dickydon in reply to Dickydon]

Update: all done. Yes all done didn't feel a thing. Spray back of throat was the only uncomfortable thing. But when Sedated didn't feel or hear a thing was just knocked me out. So drowsy now for a few hours.

[Nearlymen]

Thats interesting, when I had mine my sedation was extremely mild and I was aware throughout with the cardiologist chatting away the whole time ! I replied to her using a thumbs up for yes, palm show for no, and rotated my hand for maybe ! It's an interesting experience, not unpleasant but certainly odd ! Best part for me though is that on my report it states 'Tolerates a probe well' !! LOL !! Which always raises the question when I mention it and that's 'Probed you where '!! ha ha !

Cheerio

Clive

[Dickydon in reply to Nearlymen]

Haaaah, you got probed then. I was out stone cold which I preferred, as the scope tube touched my mouth, I was gone for a song and woke up an hour later. When I got home I slept for 4-5 hours throat was just a little tender but this morning feeling fine.

[Fortepiano in reply to Nearlymen]

I was supposed to be sedated but it was so minimal as to be totally unnoticeable, and I have to say I found the experience deeply unpleasant. So I clearly don't tolerate a probe well! I am small and slight and sometimes feel doctors, like vets, sedate patients for unpleasant procedures who they think can fight back!

On the plus side the images they got were superb so it was worth undergoing.

[Frenchi]

Hi, I had to have a transosphageal echo prior to my minimal invasive procedure for my mitral valve & hole in the heart repair. Well I must admit I told my Cardiologist no way and I felt like yourself. He told me I had to have this TEE done if I was going to have the minimal invasive procedure. So I decided I would concentrate on what they told me.

I agree the spray seems a little strange and then just really concentrate on when they tell you to swallow and just keep doing it - I do remember everything and honestly it was all over and I went home later feeling fine.

You do need someone to pick you up due to any sedation. I must admit this will show the Consultant lots of information. They do this procedure on a regular basis. Good Luck.

[Alison_L in reply to Frenchi]

They do it on a regular basis? Oh no, it was horrible for me - worse than the angiograms/plasty and ICD fitting

[Jamse]

I had one about 15 years ago ...the equipment was old then and did not see much ...if they dont sedate you try not to punch the doc !!!

[Fredders]

I had one before my second AVR as they wanted to get a better look at the problem with my first replacement valve. I declined the sedative but they put a cannula in my hand just incase they needed to sedate me during the procedure. The hardest bit for me was swallowing the tube. I have a strong gag reflex and even have to take my pills an odd way, have to put the water in my mouth first, because if I taste the pills my throat closes up! Once I managed to swallow it I was fine. I had a nurse stroking my head and hand and talking to me and at the end the doctor said he had never had anybody who was so relaxed without a sedative! Guess all the relaxation exercises/meditation I do worked! 😋

Wendy

[Dickydon in reply to Fredders]

Brave Wendy hey. I quite like being knocked out as I'd rather that than be gagging etc... but we're all different and appreciate you sharing your experience.

[Glasgowgirl1947]

Glad it went well, I had one at Blackburn hospital and had no knowledge of the procedure but something went wrong with the probe so it wasn't complete. I found it difficult to remember what the cardiologist told me afterwards. When I went into Blackpool Cardio unit for my Mitral valve op I had a potassium problem so it was decided not to operate but I was put to sleep so they could do the probe, good job, it showed my tricuspid valve was also needing to be done. I was kept in and force-fed horrible potassium drinks 3 X daily for a week, if you ever need to have them the tablets dissolve in a small amount of water so it's easier to get them down then have water to get rid of the taste!

[Dickydon]

Thanks for everyones' input.