Re: Experience with TEE and cardioversion

[Guest guest]

<<My INR was down to 1.8. Therefore he said he wanted to do the

TEE to make sure there were no blood clots and then the

cardioconversion.>>

<<The first time I was cardioverted I only had a rash from the

paddles. This time I did get a burn on my back that feels like a

sunburn.>>

Ann in KY

......................

Ann, I've been reading the comments from the good people on this

board for some time now and I " know " there will be a lot of prayers

flowing into Kentucky on Feb. 3, 2004. And make sure you let us all

know how the whole thing went and how you're feeling when you get

home because in a way we all have a stake in your experience being

that we might face the same thing one day.

Question: How was the TEE? I was told I'd have to have one before an

ablation no matter what the INR level is and I'm concerned I won't be

able to get it down my throat because of the gagging effect. I had a

endoscopy done to check out my stomach and had a heck of a time

trying to swallow the tube even with sedation.

Comment: If that burn starts itching try Gold Bond ointment. It

worked the best for me during my numerous cardioversions.

P

[Guest guest]

Good luck Annie!

I'll say a few prayers for you tonite.

Rich O

[Guest guest]

Ann - I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming procedure, but I do have a

dump question....

what the heck is A-Flutter, and why do you need to be shocked out of it? I have

A-Fib and didn't know there was another beast to go along with this!

thanks

Ann Wesley wrote:

Goodmorning -

I just want to let everyone know about my latest experience. Started

A-Flutter on Monday night at 11:30 p.m. Went on to bed and slept very well.

Woke up still in A-Flutter. I took my shower and began to feel really,

really, out of breath. I sat in the recliner for 15 or so minutes and began to

feel a little better. Went in to do my hair and the shortness of breath

started really bad and I almost fainted. I made it to a chair and after a few

minutes the feeling went away. All this time, I was wondering if I wasn't in

A-Fib. I'd feel like A-Fib and then it would get right back into very, very

fast rhythm. Of course, by this time, my husband was pleading with me to go to

E.R. When I continued having the shortness of breath, we went to the

hospital. I was in A-Flutter. The E.P. told me I probably was going in

and out of A-Fib from the way I described things. My INR was down to 1.8.

Therefore he said he wanted to do the TEE to make sure

there were no blood clots and then the cardioconversion. They didn't even

try to convert me with medication. So, I spent yesterday have the TEE and

then was converted with electric shock. He raised my dosage of Rhythmol and

I got to come home last night.

I have had A-Fib since Feb of 2001. Went through the amiodarone nightmare

for over a year. (Damaged thyroid, etc..) Finally, I went to my present E.P.

who immediately took away the amiodarone. It took 6 weeks to get the medicine

out of my system enough to where I could start Rhythmol. Everything had been

going really well. My thyroid has returned to normal and I was staying in

sinus. Thought I had it all really under control. Then in December I had

my first episode of A-Flutter, and my first cardioversion. At that time, the

EP scheduled me for EP Studies and Catherter Ablation - just for the Flutter.

I am scheduled for that procedure Feb. 3rd. I have been nervous about the it,

but after yesterday, I'm ready for anything that will keep me from going to ER

and the " shock " . The first time I was cardioverted I only had a rash from

the paddles. This time I did get a burn on my back that feels like a sunburn.

Dr. Tomassoni will be doing my

procedure at Central Baptist hospital in Lexington, KY.

Would like for you all to keep me in your prayers, especially on Feb. 3rd.

The doctor has assured me that this is a very common procedure and that he has a

97% cure rate (for the A-Flutter). Of course, I'll still be dealing with

A-Fib, but hopefully the medication will control that for awhile longer.

Thanks to all for your support and kindness. I don't post often, but be

assured, I read almost all the post everyday and feel as if I know several of

you.

Ann in KY

[Guest guest]

Ann - Best of luck to you. And you will be in my prayers.

Ed in VA -- 42nd wedding anniversary on February 3, 2004

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/21/04 4:19:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,

JPindorski@... writes:

> Question: How was the TEE?

The TEE is bearable if done right. I've had two of them.

The first one, the Doctor sedated me to almost a sleeping state and the TEE

was fine. The second one, another Doctor, sedated me to about half of what the

first Doctor did. It was brutal. I was ready to nail him.

You have to go to the recovery area anyway for an hour or two after the TEE.

So why not get almost fully sedated.

Rich O

[Guest guest]

Toni,

A TEE is a transesophagus echocardiogram. It's an echo where by they insert a

probe that takes pictures of your heart and pulmonary veins from your

esophagus. It apparently gives a better picture than the traditional echo. Done

right

it's not to uncomfortable (they sedate you). Other wise it can be

uncomfortable.

Rich O

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/22/04 11:34:11 AM Pacific Standard Time,

celtic8586@... writes:

<< A TEE is a transesophagus echocardiogram >>

Wow, thanks for the info Rich. Never heard of that ... and hope I never do

in a medical setting! ha ha!

Toni

CA