very scared... TEE tomorrow, please send hugs and prayers and pixie dust

[PRINCESS VIJA]

OK guys, I am scared and would love all of your good wishes, prayers and hugs!

I had a health scare back in August. Blood clots in lungs, emergency surgery for clot in arm, ICU because they couldn't get me off the ventilator, almost died, very lucky to be alive, and they found a hole in my heart)

tomorrow I need a TEE (transesophageal echo). they shove a tube down your throat to look at your heart, they need to determine what kind of hole I have in my heart and how to fix it. I am TERRIFIED!

I am VERY claustrophobic, strong gag reflux and as a nurse who has been in procedures for patients getting endoscopies (tube down throat to stomach) I have seen way tooo much! the gagging and wretching and panic I see in patients has me over the edge. I AM SOOOO SCARED!!! I did ask for stronger anesthetics, so they will have anesthesia providers do the sedation vs nurse sedation. They can put you deeper. BUt still I am FREAKING OUT!

any good thoughts would be very much appreciated!

 

[Planogirl]

How long does this typically take? Can you be given some kind of anesthesia that basically leaves you not caring or can you be put completely under?

I feel for you and I think that you should treat yourself in some way once it's over. Good luck.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

How long does this typically take? Can you be given some kind of anesthesia that basically leaves you not caring or can you be put completely under?

I feel for you and I think that you should treat yourself in some way once it's over. Good luck.

They told me the procedure itself takes about 15 minutes. I can't be completely put under, they don't do that, but hopefully the medicine they give me will have me not caring... I'm just a panicky mess right now!

I love the treating myself idea. I'll have to think about that!

 

[Planogirl]

From my experience (I've had lots of tests), the worry about the test is usually way worse than the test itself. A lot of people seem to freak out over just the idea of being tested or at least I know that I do sometimes. I've never had this test though so I don't want to come off sounding like it's no big deal.

15 minutes is pretty short but I know that it can seem like an eternity if you're worried. Here's to lots of nice drugs!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So why are they doing this vs a heart cath? Just wondering since I know nothing about procedures. My dd was born with a genetic heart defect and I was curious as to the reasoning.

I guess I will say yes it scary however what I do is focus on the fact I am doing this to save my life, improve my life, etc.

In other words use some anxiety coping mechanisms. The pro/con list is very effective. Read the con and then the pro to counteract the con. Carry it with you and read it as often as needed.

Example....
Con- Scared about gagging
Pro- I am in the hands of professionals who will take care of me if I start gagging.

Con-Claustrophobia
Pro-The procedure is 15 mins. I need to spare 15 mins of my time being uncomfortable in order to keep me healthy.

Con-Scared of what they will find.
Pro- They need to be exact so I will get good medical care for my hole in the heart.

Con-I hate this.
Pro-I am buying/going to do this for a reward! Who in there right mind loves procedures like this? Oh no one. You are not abnormal.

Build your own pro/con list as this is just an example, but hopefully you get the picture. The idea is to counteract the specific anxiety thought with a positive thought.

 

[Liberty Belle]

OK guys, I am scared and would love all of your good wishes, prayers and hugs!

I had a health scare back in August. Blood clots in lungs, emergency surgery for clot in arm, ICU because they couldn't get me off the ventilator, almost died, very lucky to be alive, and they found a hole in my heart)

tomorrow I need a TEE (transesophageal echo). they shove a tube down your throat to look at your heart, they need to determine what kind of hole I have in my heart and how to fix it. I am TERRIFIED!

I am VERY claustrophobic, strong gag reflux and as a nurse who has been in procedures for patients getting endoscopies (tube down throat to stomach) I have seen way tooo much! the gagging and wretching and panic I see in patients has me over the edge. I AM SOOOO SCARED!!! I did ask for stronger anesthetics, so they will have anesthesia providers do the sedation vs nurse sedation. They can put you deeper. BUt still I am FREAKING OUT!

any good thoughts would be very much appreciated!

I had an endoscopy and was scared, but honestly it wasn't bad at all. I have a pretty strong gag reflex, too. I don't know what medication I was given, but I was only aware for part of the procedure. I did feel it going down my throat (not sure how much gagging I did or how panicked I looked), but I guess because I was so heavily sedated, I wasn't fighting it or too scared. I remember feeling safe enough.

When I had surgery on my lip, I was given propofol. I felt like I was aware the whole time, but I'm sure it was really only near the end when they were taking me off of it. I was not aware of them cutting my lip or anything, so I'm sure if I were having an endoscopy done, there's no way I would have known anything. Is the heavier sedation they can give you anything like propofol?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Prayers and pixie dust to you.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

From my experience (I've had lots of tests), the worry about the test is usually way worse than the test itself. A lot of people seem to freak out over just the idea of being tested or at least I know that I do sometimes. I've never had this test though so I don't want to come off sounding like it's no big deal.

15 minutes is pretty short but I know that it can seem like an eternity if you're worried. Here's to lots of nice drugs!

I like the idea of the nice drugs! I think the problem is I have seen too much and that is what scares me too.

So why are they doing this vs a heart cath? Just wondering since I know nothing about procedures. My dd was born with a genetic heart defect and I was curious as to the reasoning.

I guess I will say yes it scary however what I do is focus on the fact I am doing this to save my life, improve my life, etc.

In other words use some anxiety coping mechanisms. The pro/con list is very effective. Read the con and then the pro to counteract the con. Carry it with you and read it as often as needed.

Example....
Con- Scared about gagging
Pro- I am in the hands of professionals who will take care of me if I start gagging.

Con-Claustrophobia
Pro-The procedure is 15 mins. I need to spare 15 mins of my time being uncomfortable in order to keep me healthy.

Con-Scared of what they will find.
Pro- They need to be exact so I will get good medical care for my hole in the heart.

Con-I hate this.
Pro-I am buying/going to do this for a reward! Who in there right mind loves procedures like this? Oh no one. You are not abnormal.

Build your own pro/con list as this is just an example, but hopefully you get the picture. The idea is to counteract the specific anxiety thought with a positive thought.

The heart cath will be done in the future (hopefully) to fix the whole in the heart. they can't do that yet as they need to determine what kind of hole it is and they can do that from the echo. It is less invasive.

I do like the idea of the pro and con list, I will have to keep thinking about the positives.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Hugs and prayers coming your way. You'll be fine; try not to freak yourself out. Even with the patients who seemed like they were gagging, etc., not one that I've assisted with the procedure, nor anyone I know that has had an endoscopy, TEE, or anything else where they received moderate sedation remembered anything about their procedure. One minute you'll be getting the med administered, and the next you'll be saying "did you start yet"?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I had an endoscopy and was scared, but honestly it wasn't bad at all. I have a pretty strong gag reflex, too. I don't know what medication I was given, but I was only aware for part of the procedure. I did feel it going down my throat (not sure how much gagging I did or how panicked I looked), but I guess because I was so heavily sedated, I wasn't fighting it or too scared. I remember feeling safe enough.

When I had surgery on my lip, I was given propofol. I felt like I was aware the whole time, but I'm sure it was really only near the end when they were taking me off of it. I was not aware of them cutting my lip or anything, so I'm sure if I were having an endoscopy done, there's no way I would have known anything. Is the heavier sedation they can give you anything like propofol?

I am hoping for propofol, but I guess it will be up to the anesthesia provider. thanks for telling me that you weren't fighting it or too scared, that helps.

Prayers and pixie dust to you.

thanks!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hugs and prayers coming your way. You'll be fine; try not to freak yourself out. Even with the patients who seemed like they were gagging, etc., not one that I've assisted with the procedure, nor anyone I know that has had an endoscopy, TEE, or anything else where they received moderate sedation remembered anything about their procedure. One minute you'll be getting the med administered, and the next you'll be saying "did you start yet"?

thanks! I sure hope I can come back and post here and say this happened to me too!

 

[KellyWasHere]

Just wanted to say that I've been thinking of you today and hope everything went as smoothly as possible.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I understand. I am a nurse also and felt pretty nervous when I had to have procedures myself. (What we see definitely doesn't help.)

I had an endoscopy and it was fine. Once they gave me the versed I was out within seconds and didn't feel a thing until I woke up. What about a benzo prior to the procedure to help you relax?

If it's any consolation, I'm a cardiac nurse and send people for TEEs all the time. I've never heard anyone complain about it afterward.

 

[Kathi OD]

Medical tests can be so scary! I hope everything goes smoothly and those nice drugs help put you at ease.

 

[krcit]

Good luck....I hope all went well!!

 

[Christine]

OP, hope your ordeal is over now and it all went well for you!

Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

thanks for all of your well wishes! I am home. Wow, was I scared this morning. the procedure went fine. after they started the IV they started the drugs... thank heavens for versed and propofol!!!

They told me they might have to wake me up before the procedure was done for a bubble test that would require me to be able to "bear down", but they didn't do it, so I am happy! I do remember a bit of coughing at the end as the tube came out, but that is it. they said going down at first they had to stop and give me more drugs.

I am just tired now, and my throat is a bit sore. took a nap when we got home.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES!!!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

YEA!!!!

 

[indimom]

thanks for all of your well wishes! I am home. Wow, was I scared this morning. the procedure went fine. after they started the IV they started the drugs... thank heavens for versed and propofol!!!

They told me they might have to wake me up before the procedure was done for a bubble test that would require me to be able to "bear down", but they didn't do it, so I am happy! I do remember a bit of coughing at the end as the tube came out, but that is it. they said going down at first they had to stop and give me more drugs.

I am just tired now, and my throat is a bit sore. took a nap when we got home.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES!!!!!

So glad that it went well. I hope you get a good result and not need anything too invasive for treatment.

 

[7165red]

I hope it's over by now and your feeling better.