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Anna's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: August 2, 2024

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Anna Rakowicz posted an update

1 year ago (November 17, 2024)

Well my TEE I just had on 10/31 at CC, came out differently than the one I had at a local hospital on 7/31. Much better actually - T1 mitral valve and T1/2 in aortic valve. LVEF went up to 50%. So no need for any valve intervention at this... Read more.

Richard Munson

Seems kind of fast right after heart surgery

Valerie Allen

Anna, you haven't had the heart surgery, correct? Did CC give you an estimate of when your surgery might be? I've been checking into knee surgery and they said it takes 6 months to fully recover. You would definitely want to be in good shape, fully recovered and strong for... Read more.

Anna Rakowicz

Valerie, no I haven't had heart surgery yet. I've had quite a year getting different opinions. I went to both U of M and CC. Both said I don't need heart surgery. My first cardiologist was wrong in his assessment of severe valve regurgitation. According to my recent TEE at... Read more.

Anna Rakowicz posted an update

1 year ago (November 11, 2024)

Is there something wrong with website, it's not allowing me to post any updates? I just see a single letter?

Susan Lynn

Anna - I'm not sure why that's happening. You can try typing your message at the top of the page or going directly to your journal. Did you have your knee surgery, yet? I don't recall anyone having major surgery immediately after their cardiac procedures. Maybe someone reading this will... Read more.

Abhishek Sharma

Change your browser.

Anna Rakowicz posted an update

1 year ago (November 2, 2024)

Well I finally got my second opinion TEE done at the Cleveland Clinic yesterday. I was surprised I was only given moderate sedation (80 mg Versed, 200 mcg Fentanyl) and don't put you to sleep. I was told that they don't routinely use anesthesiology for TEEs and the RNs cannot... Read more.

Aki Nieminen

Day before yesterday. Just the local numbing liquid, no systemic sedation. Had it done once before, approx 15-20 years ago. Survived even this time :)

Marie Myers

Different hospitals and doctors have different routines. If anesthesia is available, propofol is the best. Otherwise it will be Versed and fentanyl administered by the nurse. Not as slick, but doable.

Yumiko Ishida

I had three stand alone TEEs and they were all different. One time they used a spray to numb my throat, other times no numbing. The smallest amount of sedative knocks me out, so I don't remember any of them. I'm not sure if I was supposed to be awake... Read more.

Anna Rakowicz

In retrospect, I don't think it was that bad without the propofol. I'm sensitive to meds and I was surprised this dose didn't knock me out.