Grief & chest pain: I was due to start... - British Heart Fou...

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Grief & chest pain

CraftyGirl72 profile image
14 Replies

I was due to start my new medication yesterday after taking a week out... I had so much to do last week I was scared of the side effects making me unable to cope again. I felt ok, no pain, no tingling, no dizzyness or palpitations actual healthy for a change. Unfortunately life and death got in the way and my busy plans were abandoned due to my mum passing away at the weekend.

My heart pain is back with a vengence, it feels different this time compared to the suspected stress last time. After a bad break up and constant caring issues stress & anxiety had my heart area tight mixed with stabbing/wrenching pain, now it is in the middle further down and kinda knawing at me. I feel awful but can't tell if it is heartburn, grief or something more serious.

Also scared to start the bisoprolol now for similar problem to last week. I really can't be under influence of side effects this week I have a funeral to organise single handedly.

Do I take them, risk it or wait till I am calmer?

Other than this knawing ache I feel physically fine... mentally is a whole other issue.

Avril

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CraftyGirl72
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14 Replies
alheart profile image
alheart

Hi,

First of all sorry for your loss, it is never easy.

I would definitely seek help from your hospital consultant or your GP.

the direct answer is that you have been given these drugs for a reason and that you and your heart need them.

The consequences of NOT taking them (damage and pain) far out way any side affects in taking them!

(Sorry hard to comment more as I am not a medic and you don't say if you have had surgery or not).

I am on Bisoprolol, Metformin and Candesartan first thing in the morning, then, 5mg Warfarin in the evening then Metformin and Simvastatin last thing at night.

They only problem that I had was when I was on Lisiniprol, this made my feet and lower leg itchy and hot like heat rash or an allergy. My GP and heart consultant put me on the Candesartan instead and the side effects went.

Now the only thing I feel is a "thumping" heart if I forget to take them.

I did have an AVR and a pre-emtive double-by-pass in Oct 2015 and am just glad that my problem was caught in time.

The body is a wonderful thing and will try its best to cope and adjust with everything as best it can. However, sometimes it needs help, hence the drugs we have.

Your GP and consultants are body health specialists and your health partners, work with them and they will help.

If they don't know about how you are feeling and your reservations and fears then they can't help.

They specialise in preventative medicine and health care (we are lucky that we live in such a stage) and don't take unnecessary suffering, of any sort) lightly.

What your going through is very tough and anything but easy, however, you have to look after yourself as people around you need you as well.

in this instance work with at least your GP.

Take care

A

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Hi Avril, so sorry for your your loss

you don't say whether the week out was advised and agreed with your GP and whether this was just one drug or several. Please take advise from your health professional on this as they were prescribed for a reason.

List the drug or drugs you have been prescribed so we can all weigh in with our experiences of side effects, to begin your Bisoprolol will slow down your heart rate and reduce production of adrenaline, main side effect is you will feel more tired, but here have a word with your GP on when to take it, for you right now you need to be alert during the day so maybe you can take this in the evening

take care

Mark

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72 in reply to skid112

It is only an aspirin & the bisoprolol...1.25mg

Was agreed last Monday with Consultant I could wait till this week or whenever I was ready to start while waiting on Angiogram and then result dependant another Echo.

Ramipril made me so ill for weeks and GP removed it while I waited on first apt with Cardiologist. Been off meds 3-4 weeks and felt fine till weekend. Think its grief more than actual heart though.

Will try see my GP tomorrow... today is for other important apts.

Thanks

Avril

clarehealsworldwide profile image
clarehealsworldwide in reply to CraftyGirl72

Dear Avril. So sorry to read of your sad loss. Hope you can cope ok with funeral etc & then get your Meds sorted out. Best of luck with everything. Clare

alheart profile image
alheart

Take care

Hope the other apts. go well

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Hi Avril,

Grief and stress. Take care I hope everything goes as well as it can

Mark

not2worry profile image
not2worry in reply to skid112

Yes grief and stress can very much be the answer and that’s the grief and stress of losing our good healthy heart and always wondering what next. The loss of someone close and the added responsibilities of arranging a funeral can make those without a heart condition be filled with fear and aniexy.

I do wish the doctors would address fear, anxiety and depression with their patients more openly. It’s a common “symptom” we all share and yet the only question that’s asked by the nurse, PA or doc is an opening of “how are you feeling? Immediately followed by any chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness? Well all these are the same symptoms of Aniexty.

I hope in the future research can include the mental health issues that come hand in hand with being diagnosed with Heart Disease. I would make recovery a lot more successful, in my opinion.

Helen_BHF profile image
Helen_BHF

So sorry to hear that Avril :(

I would second what others have said, discuss it with your GP before you make any changes. I hope this week isn't too hard on you, it would be stressful even with full health. Wishing you all the best.

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72 in reply to Helen_BHF

Just opened the box and no way am I starting them. Despite being taken off Enalapril because they contain Lactose and I am intolerant and telling my consultant this he has prescribed another Lactose containing drug in Bisoprolol! I don't have time or energy to be in that much stomach pain again right now. Will call GP for advice but definitely not starting them.

Zena166 profile image
Zena166

So sorry to hear of your loss. When you’re able to then do discuss with your GP or the BHF helpline. You may want to discuss with your GP about support for your grief as well. You are experiencing major loss not only your own health but also of your mom. Do take care and I know there is so much to do at this time but look after yourself. Thinking of you. Love and hugs. Zena

Kazcoles64 profile image
Kazcoles64

Hi Avril I feel your grief as I lost my dad a couple of weeks ago it's so hard getting through the grief I am fortunate enough to have a very big family so we have all pulled together to make funeral arrangements. I too have had awful chest pain and palpitations that scare me so much it's so hard to recognise if it's grief or something more serious. I am currently waiting surgery. I hope you get yourself sorted and start to feel a bit better soon x

Ronniesue profile image
Ronniesue

It is hard when you get a diagnosis at a traumatic time in your life. I can empathise with you because my dad died just after my diagnosis and then a few weeks later my mother in law died. It seems everything in your life is going wrong, but it will get a bit better. You have had a lot to deal with all at once. Talk to your gp or heart nurse, if you have one. Hope all goes well and take care xx

Heartlady1 profile image
Heartlady1

Hi Avril so very sorry to hear this. And so sorry for your loss. I would definitely book an appt to see your GP to chat through how you ate feeling and discuss tablets aha. I must say since going on Candesartan I have felt better than I have for a long time. It may be worth chatting in regards to suitability for you?

I would also suggest you get a NOachine if you haven't already got one. I measure my BP every morni g and it also checks my pulse as well as weigh myself...it helps me feel in control and gives me reassurance. Or if it's going off the scale I call the GP. It's only around £25 well worth it to keep your own checks. Look after yourself and any worries... get them checked xx

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72

Been to GP. Ok to wait a bit to start meds and we will deal with issues arrising as & when especially the lactose problem.

Waiting on Angiogram & other tests too so hope things will improve. I just merd stay strong enough to get through funeral next Wednesday.

Thank you to all who have responded. x

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