Hi Chris or Jo BHf: Hiya, Just... - British Heart Fou...

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Hi Chris or Jo BHf

Sina-6491 profile image
12 Replies

Hiya,

Just wondering if you can put any light on this.

As you know, a great deal of us have reflux issues.

I had this really bad at least six months leading up to HA 2014. Was told it was probs angina that had not been diagnosed.

I found it never really eased that much between then & when I had angiagram 18 months later. This was when they told me I needed the bypass, which I had Nov 2016.

Well again reflux is still an issue, but much better since changing to landoprasol.

However, I seem to have breathing issues at mo, as I think I mentioned the other week to you guys.

Gp is investigating of course & she is really great at trying to get to the bottom of it.

Had second tummy upset in a month that has stopped me going to a couple of appointments. One of which was an MRI.

The other thing is I keep getting hot sweats, however now the weather has cooled down, I have felt a little chilly, so that part is great.

Today I went to feed someones cat & stayed there just sitting with the cat for an hour. I just looked at few emails & looked on here. So was very rested & relaxed to the point of nearly falling asleep.

However, as soon as I left her house & started walking the maybe seven minutes to my house.

I found the uncomfortable heaviness of possible indigestion around my neck & ears area again, a bit concerning. I seemed to have it a lot of & on, a week or so ago.

I also had it for a few weeks when I went to see the Gp about a month or so ago.

She looked in my ears on two appointments & said they were completely clear.

So my question is, if my neck feels heavy & blocked. Also my ears feel heavy & blocked.

And I have this heavy burning king of grinding feeling higher than my stomach & chest.

Is that possibility angina again.

When I got back & sat down it eased off. However I still have that blocked feeling in ears & throat/ neck. Headache is kind of muffled feeling.

I hope I haven't gone on so much you haven't got a clue what I am asking.

I have got cardiologist on 11th Sept

Many thanks guys, Jo ☺

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Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491
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12 Replies
Emily_BHF profile image
Emily_BHF

Hi Jo,

I’m sorry to hear that you have been going through such a difficult time with these symptoms. You will need to be assessed by your doctor to determine what exactly is causing them, and you have some important tests booked in (including the MRI) which will have been rescheduled.

Angina often feels like a heaviness or tightness in your chest, which may spread to your arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach as well. Some people describe a feeling of severe tightness, while others say it’s more of a dull ache. I cannot be sure whether your symptoms are an indication of this or not and you will need to discuss it with your doctor.

Take care,

Emily

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491 in reply toEmily_BHF

Oh thanks Emily,

Yes I know, it is difficult to say isn't.

It is very similar to how I felt before the heart attack in 2014.

Like I said my Gp is investigating at the moment & I have an appointment with a cardiologist on 11th.

It's just where I keep getting that kind of blockage feeling. That I'm never quite sure if I should act apon it.

I was wondering if I should take the GTN spray even though I shouldn't really need it after the bypass.

The Gp did say the other week that maybe I should take it if I feel breathless on my walks.

I guess you've packed up for the day now. So not to worry.

Have a good weekend, Jo 😊

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star in reply toSina-6491

Hi Sina, not too sure on the gtn spray, I was told that you shouldn't take it post bypass, wonder if one of the nurses here could advise

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491 in reply toskid112

Yes they ssid to me I didn't need it anymore now I have had a bypass.

But when I saw my Gp few weeks ago she said yes take it if you feel breathless on your walks.

So I do carry it around with me.

But I really do think it's angina back again. I think it is possible another artery is blocked you see ☺

anke123 profile image
anke123

Hi, this a difficult thing, to know if it is from angina or reflux. As you know from my other posts I have this problem, but pain between my shoulder blades or in between my shoulders, high up. The GP yesterday said, just carry on with medication till you see the consultant next week. And if you use the spray twice and it does not help phone 999.

Trouble is when i did that last year I was told it was from the reflux and started medication for it.

I had 1 stent fitted, but was told an other artery had some blockage but not bad enough to do anything about.

I do not know if you should use it after having had a bypass, you need expert advice on that one.

I did consult my pharmasist about all this and he told me to try gaviscon you can take that as well as lansoprorol.

Hope you get it sorted, all the best, Anke

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491 in reply toanke123

Yes after my HA in 2014, I had a stent.

A year later when I came off the blood thinners I kept saying it felt bad again pretty much straight away.

They didn't descuver for over another year, that the blockage was worse than it originally was. Then of course they strongly advised thw bypass.

So due to the descuvering so late before, it doesn't really give me much confidence in them now to be honest. 😕

FMW62 profile image
FMW62

Long before my valve replacement, I started experiencing pain/ache in the right side of my neck. I was convinced it was heart related, because it came on when I was taking exercise. Only one doctor agreed that is was a form of angina, the others seemed to regard it as trivial, but I treated it as a warning sign and stopped for a rest. I still get it occasionally even nearly 2 years post op.

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491

That's the trouble isn't it, so many things can point to the heart. So when it is the heart, it can quite often be missed.

Still at least I have got the cardiac consultant next Monday, hopefully he'll investigate.

Then I have a spinal MRI on the 23rd. So if the consultant looks like he thinks it's nothing. Maybe they see something on the MRI evan though that's not really what it's for.

Of course at the end of the day, it could be anxiety because I have some other stressful stuff going on in my life. And as you know, when you've had heart issues before. It's easy to think it's heart related again 😕

Last week I saw an ENT consultant who explained that reflux is linked to angina cases. The recommendation was treat the reflux as it can contribute to other problems. I have ditched the pills and moved to an advanced liquid medication at least 5 times a day. The relief is significant at the moment.

My family has a history of heart problems and one of the key things that we have learned and shared is that although everyone has a similar condition it is never exactly the same as anyone else.

Post bypass surgery some family members have required further interventions, stents and additional bypass work but the one point everyone stresses to me is don't ignore the symptoms and always opt for a face to face appointment. (As you may have guessed I don't like being in need of medical so ignore things for as long as I can).

So the investigation is good news, remember that the stress is a real cause and finding tools to manage that is important - does your GP offer Social prescribing because some of the relaxation classes and stress management activities (a friend throws pots - I thought china around the house but they say it is pottery) can really give you the hour of peace you found feeding the cat.

I hope everything goes well.

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491 in reply to

Thank you Mark, that all makes sence ☺

Sina-6491 profile image
Sina-6491

Thank you everyone for your great support & sharing your expiriences, means alot 😊

Heather1957 profile image
Heather1957

I had a bypass in June and am diabetic so also take Metformine as well as Bisoprolol, is there any reason why I can't take Omeprazole? Like so many others I have terrible acid reflux and although did try Gaviscon I find it really doesn't help. I intend to take the tablets every other day not daily if that works. Is there any reason why it could be problematic (apart from general views on these kind of tablets)

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