Hospital once again.

[Dottilind]

HI all. I have just had anothe night and day in hospital. The last attack I had was last April. This attack lasted hours and the chest pains once again were horrific I thought this is the one that will finish me off. Started about 11.15 pm. Ambulance arrived and off I went. The pain increased and they sprayed something under my tongue followed by paracetamol with no decrease in pain. At about 2.30 when I thought this cant go on I started to black out , after a few seconds I felt a jump ion my chest and the monitor went from 178 to 72 beats in a matter of seconds. My heart had reverted back to normal almost as my heart rate is low 48/52. I felt great after that. The ironic thing was is that I had appointment with Cardiologist at 4.00 and he came to see me in assessment ward. Increased my disaprolol and said if I could possible have to have a pace maker , made me feel really old I am 74 I dont think that will happen. Has any one else had thios experience. I alway get the chest pains that is why I have to send for ambulance just incase.

[BobD Volunteer]

The spray would have been GTN or nitro glycerine to put it another way which is for angina. Not sure if it helps if your pain is AF related as the purpose is to open up the arteries to get better blood flow to the heart muscles. Never did much for me except give me a monumental headache.

[Dottilind in reply to BobD]

Hi BobD, they had to stop giving that to me as it dropped my blood pressure, also it does not stop my pain. just makes me feel if I am drifting off into a blackout. Some paramedics use it some dont. I tell them that to use it but there again they seem to know what they doing. I am now on Apixaban and they say I can take aspirin, but |I refuse everytime.

[PeterWh]

You are certainly not too old to have a pacemaker. One of my friends mother had one at 73 and I knew someone who had one in their mid 80s.

[meadfoot]

I have horrendous episodes like yours. The chest pain is excruciating and vicious also in my arm shoulder jaw calf and feet too it is intolerable.

Yes you think you are gong to die and to be honest in those black monents you half wish you would just to get away from the pain and fainting. I am given intravenous morphine for the pain. The hospital monitors go berserk it is all very frightening. IV fkecainide stopped it last time.

The gtn spray is useless for our condition and gives a bad headache.

I feel for you and truly understand what it feels like. Would not wish it on my worst enemy,

[Finvola]

What a nasty experience Dottilind - I hope you are feeling a bit better today. I know what you mean about things making you feel old but the pacemaker may have just the opposite effect and make you feel lots younger.

Best wishes