Just had echo this morning and could use some words of wisdom

Hi - have had heart murmur for 35+ yrs. Had 1st echo 35 yrs ago (negative), 2nd echo 30 yrs ago (negative). Just had 3rd one this morning. I have health anxiety big time and have been off my Effexor for 2 months now for different reasons. My anxiety was so high going in for this that the sonography woman said "wow, your hearts beating at 100". I could not relax myself for anything and apologized if I was making her job a little harder to do. Anyway, I was hearing all kinds of machine beeps and heart swooshing noises which made me worse. Felt like she lingered at several different areas for awhile. After she was done I thought she would say something like "everything looks good" or something positive but she was very stoic and just said "one of our cardiologists will look at these and get in tough with your primary. I walked out feeling terrible and anxiety ridden. Are the technicians always like this? I'm very worried and scared

Hello Lin, yes the technicians are not drs, they are trained to perform the test only, nothing more. They do not have the ability to make a determination about results. The echo will in fact be reviewed by a dr & the results will be sent to your dr. I get these yearly & I always tell the tech when they have the sound going it reminds me of a washing machine. Yes, there are areas where they do I guess you would sa linger longer than in others, this is normal. I like watching on the screen. In the meantime, please don't stress over this, that certainly will not help.

Take care.

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Susie
Moderator in Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums

Hi Lin,

I've had a couple of echos done in the last 6 months. In each case the technician was very nice and explained a few things to me but never anything about my prognosis. I actually enjoyed the experience and found all the noises and images on the display fascinating.

Best wishes.

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Age 71, First ever PSA 7.8 taken June 2008, Biopsy July 2008, 10 of 12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3=6
da Vinci surgery December 10, 2008, catheter removed December 29 2008
St. Lukes Hospital, Bethlehem, Pa.
Dr. Frank Tamarkin
Prostate weight 73.0 grams, Gleason 3+3=6, stage pT3a
Tumor locations: right anterior apex, right posterior apex to mid
left anterior mid to base, left posterior apex to mid
extensive perineural invasion in right anterior apex, right and left posterior apex to mid
seminal vesicles negative
Seven PSA tests undetectable, latest Aug 2, 2010
Pad free beginning Mar. 18, 2010!

Had my dr appt today - normal echocardiogram findings and I'm so thankful- thanks for everyone's input and commets

lin, that is wonderful news so now you can stop worrying. Take care.

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Susie
Moderator in Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums

lin, that is wonderful news so now you can stop worrying. Take care.

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Susie
Moderator in Chronic Pain & Psoriasis Forums