TEE Test

[LindaTX]

I am going for a TEE test tomorrow that will determine whether or not I can go off my blood-thinner after almost 4 yrs.  I'm a little nervous and don't quite know what to expect.  Has anyone on here had a Trans-thoracic-esophogeal-endoscopy?  I think that's what TEE stands for.  Thanks in advance for any information or advice on this.

[LindaTX]

Sorry you had a bad time of it on Rythmol.  I took that and flecainide and a lot of others.  I do have the beta-blockerTopralXL from way back, I'll be talking with my Dr's office tomorrow. At least your echo looked good. Sounds like overall you're doing pretty well.  You're so right about the Coumadin....much better than to risk a stroke.

[DeltaDawn23]

Hi Linda -- My echo was good --  I actually had it on 4/1 and saw the ep on the 12th.  My left atrium was 4.2 and 4 is normal.  Ejection fraction was normal.  He was pleased.  I asked if I could try Rythmol as I was having a lot of gastric distress with the Norpace.  He agreed, and I had to be off the Norpace 3 days -- no meds except my Atenolol.  He thought I might go into afib but I didn't.  But the Rhythmol did not work at all.  It made me dizzy, nauseous and a lot of other stuff, but mostly "flattened my sinus node."  Anyway, I called and said I was going off of it yesterday and the nurse said just take the Atenolol in the meantime and she got me a Monday appt. -- amazing to get in so soon.  I am feeling so good off the anti-arrythmics that I may ask if I could just give it a try.  I can always go back on the Norpace, but I am so tired of this.  The ablation idea is looking better and better.  Sorry to hear you are having tachy issues.  Is there anything you can take to slow it down?  I will probably also always be on coumadin, not sure.  I asked the ep and he said it is what is keeping me safe from a stroke.  The rest of the meds are just for symptoms.  I check my INR at home with a Phillips meter and it helps me keep better track of it.  The coumadin doesn't really bother me either, it's just the dietary restrictions that get to me sometimes.  Oh well, it's better than a stroke.  Hope the tachy goes away and you are able to do more.  Hope you had a nice vacation.  Take care.

[LindaTX]

Hi, Delta....just saw this after going on Spring Break with the kids and grandkids.  How did your echo go on the 12th?  I was disappointed about having to stay on the Coumadin but I really don't have any bad effects from it, just the nuisance of having to get it checked.  As far as a 2nd opinion, I don't know, I hadn't really thought about it.  I am extremely pleased with my EP, but a 2nd opinion might be something to consider.  Oh, on a side note, I've been in tachycardia for the past couple of weeks when I do almost any activity at all.  That's pretty depressing!  I hadn't had any heart issue at all since I had the ablation last May...

[DeltaDawn23]

I think it's Xoralto, anyway starts with an X.  As far as I know, there are not yet any antidotes for the new blood thinners, whereas on Coumadin you can take vitamin k or plasma and reverse the effects.  I know people who have been on Coumadin for 30 years, Seems like I heard it may affect your bones, but not sure.  I have been on it nearly 2 years and no changes in my bone density.  How disappointing for you!  2nd opinion?    

[LindaTX]

Well, I just finally got a call back from my Dr.'s office and I am so upset!  I thought I'd be getting off my blood-thinner but no, looks like I'll be on it from now on!  Something about my blood velocity in my upper left atrium ( my left atrial appendage was ablated during my initial ablation in '10) and I guess they don't feel comfortable taking me off it.

My EF was good at 65.  She did say I could switch to something called Zoralto or something like that so i wouldn't have to go in to have my levels checked....same family with Pradaxa but somehow different.  I sure don't want to go on Pradaxa.

Anyone know of any long-term effects of coumadin?  I've already been on it almost 4 yrs.  I never dreamed this would be for life.

[DeltaDawn23]

So, are you off meds entirely?

[DeltaDawn23]

Glad you got thru it so well.  My afib was controlled by Norpace for 18 months, but came back in December -- I had to be cardioverted twice in 2-1/2 weeks.  So they increased my dose and I am 9 weeks out and so far so good.  I go for a 2nd opinion 3/21 and back to my EP for an echo and see him 4/12.  So, we'll see what the verdict is.  I am feeling over-medicated (brain fog and like I weigh a ton) on the Norpace and the Atenolol, saw my pcp today and he said wean off the Atenolol.  My thyroid is low, so he increased that.  I am so happy about your successful ablation.  I am considering it, so all the success stories are good to hear.  I've had it 10 years.  I can see this getting to the point that all the side effects are no longer a good trade-off.  Thanks for asking.

[LindaTX]

Thanks, Jerry....just got home and it really was a piece of cake.  I wasn't completely put out but felt VERY relaxed, very comfortable, no pain whatsoever and I didn't have a sore throat afterward.  The Dr. told me they use a pediatric probe so it's very small.  I will post my results tomorrow when I hear back how I did and the verdict on the coumadin.  PS.  I'm a big baby too, Jerry...when it comes to pain!

[Jerry_NJ]

Hope you get the results desired...off warfarin.  

I had a TEE before heart surgery... way back in 2007. It was enough of a "cake walk" for me I didn't recognize what the letters stand for.  Best of my recall is I was just "relaxed" not put out, but I could be wrong on that point.  The importing input is I don' t remember having any pain - and I'm a big baby  when it comes to pain.

[LindaTX]

Yes I did, and thank you Delta for your comments. Always makes you feel better to hear from someone who's gone through it.  I leave in an hour to go th Austin. I am doing so well after that "touch-up" ablation last May.  It's wonderful finally being afib-free after having it for 12-14 yrs.  How are you doing with yours?  From what I remember you haven't had an ablation, right? Well, just keep an open mind and when the time is right, you'll know it.  Please keep in touch with me and thanks again for posting!

[DeltaDawn23]

I believe it stands for trans-esophogeal echo.  Anyway, I 've had it twice and it is no big deal.  They did mine both times to make sure no clots before cardioversion.  You are out for a few minutes and the only problem I had was a sore throat for the rest of the day the last time and I don't remember that from the first time.  You'll do fine.  Hope you can get off the blood thinner.  Sounds like you are doing well.  Can't remember -- did you have afib?