Missed Information

[Kirsty131]

Due to my hospital on black alert I never got to see a consultant to discuss my heart test results so a year later I saved up and saw a private cardiologist he noticed on my CT Angiogram that I had a s.pinched LAD (aptly known as the widow maker artery) he has referred me back to my hospital for further tests and has put me on Verapranal and if I don’t tolerate that Flecainide. Is a problem with the LAD serious? Also I have heard that Verpranal causes hair loss? Has anyone got any experience with these drugs? Not looking forward to looking like a potato if I lose my hair. I appreciate any advice....

[IanGordon]

Limited LAD cardiac knowledge as I had a couple of stents inserted in 2015 following an angiogram. What I do know is that a sudden blockage of this coronary artery is statically more likely to be a terminal event, hence the 'widowmaker' title. I believe the hierarchy of treatment once diagnosed is monitor, drugs,stents, bypass, according to severity. No knowledge of drug therapy buy maybe better a live potato? Sorry for the maybe insensitive flippancy but sounds like this early diagnosis will be a good thing.Best of luck with your ongoing treatment.

[Kirsty131 in reply to IanGordon]

Thanks for reply IanGordon, this is what’s worrying me slightly as approx wait for tests is 18 months and as I believe this is one of the worse arteries to have a problem with and I worry I will go bang before that time.

Your right it is better to be a live potato than a baked one but think I would pull it off better as a man! I really do appreciate your thoughts.

Hope your well now 👍

[IanGordon in reply to Kirsty131]

Thank you Kirsty. Fair comment - a high percentage of us blokes succumb to MPB so part of our life expectation. I think you can take some comfort from the fact that medicating the CAD in your LAD (couldn't resist) is appropriate - the risks scale up with angiogram and of course surgery.Just listen to your body but don't let this define you.

[Kirsty131 in reply to IanGordon]

I try not to let it define me, I just worry that something will happen and leave my son parentless as he has already lost his father. It’s funny when your young (not that 43 is old) you just don’t even think about your organs and how they are keeping you alive but when it goes wrong it really makes you think how precious they are.

But positive mental attitude and healthy lifestyle is all I can do! 😊

[Zena166]

Hi Kirsty. I had my LAD stented and on medication now following heart attack. Suggest you go back to your GP and ask for a referral to the Cardiologist and explain you were missed originally because of problems in NHS. See if they can hurry it along. Not sure about the drug you are on causing Hair loss but I suffered with hair loss which my GP thoughts was a combination of stress drugs and the trauma of it all. It sounds daft but with everything else going on I felt guilty talking to my GP about Hair. However she was brilliant. She prescribed an anti fungal shampoo as I had patches of flakiness. I then found a hair stylist who has signed up to the Trevor Sorbie charity for alopecia and talked me through options and did an assessment of my hair. She also talked about wig options funky ones not plastic looking ones! We agreed on a very short haircut and a dark colour and I now use Nioxin shampoo. All of this seems to have helped slightly. However if I go completely bald I shall make sure I have a different colour wig for each day of the week as well as having my head tattooed with an interesting tattoo!! I hope all works out for you. Do take care. Zena x

[Kirsty131 in reply to Zena166]

Hi Zena, thanks for so much help and info, I felt the same thinking about the hair loss, it’s silly with everything else going on but it’s a women thing I think. It would be cool to have different hair colour everyday and I have seen some beautiful head tattoos too.

Do you mind me asking which medication they put you on?

I really love this forum, everyone on here has been through so much and is so positive and brave it’s refreshing!

You seem to be taking everything in your stride have you found it tough?

Kirsty

[Zena166 in reply to Kirsty131]

Hi Kirsty I was started on Ticagrelor Bisoprolol lisinopril aspirin Lansoprazole and I take cyanocobalomin which is Vit B12 as I follow a strict vegan diet. I’ve got an allergic reaction at the moment so am stopping and starting them. I wish I was taking everything in my stride! Getting there though. Happy to help if you need anything else let me know. I can tell you my story about a visit to a wig shop. But that’s for another day!!!! Take care. Zena x

[Plum53]

Hi Kirsty , I have an 80% blockage mid/ to low in my LAD found by angiogram Nov.16 I am being treated with medication . At first and probably for the first year I was aware of any ache in chest area and thought it was my heart. Very tearful at the beginning too. I was seen by cardiologist six months on who said my angina is stable and they go by symptoms if they became more often then would consider a stent. I went last week to see consultant and he said all was stable and would now see me in a year. I feel more confident now and sleep better I don't worry about every ache as I now know most are muscular . I just want to reassure you . Try not to worry too much. Speak to your cardiologist ask all your questions once you know exactly what the plan going forward is you will feel better informed. Remember at least now you are on the radar lots of people out there are unaware of what is going on in Their arteries . Best wishes x

[Kirsty131 in reply to Plum53]

Thank you Plum53, I try not to think about it at all but then bang the chest pain and arrhythmia is there to remind me it’s all still there, I have felt low like you but luckily I have my son to throw all my energy into. How do you find the medication?

Kind wishes

Kirsty131

[Plum53 in reply to Kirsty131]

Hi so far no problems but I did cut back on Atorvastatin I'm on 20 mg which is fine but went up another ten mg to start with snd then couldn't sleep. So back down to 20 mg and seems to have corrected . Best wishes xxx

[whisperathome]

do you know the name of your consultant and hospital you were treated at...? if not.... phone the cardiac clinic you were attending and ask for the head of cardiology secretary.... then ask her if your are booked in at any point...better to email if you can..that way you have a paper trail...

I had a problem and been waiting for weeks..it was an alert..pacemaker wasn't right..not the heart.. waited four weeks..phoned on Wednesday to chase up with head of cardiac units secretary at the hospital treating me...recieved phone call on Thursday..slotted in monday 14th may for pre assessment...operation to correct fault on Friday 18th at 10.30 am.

look at the hospitals website , and find out who the head of cardiology is..it should be there somewhere. if not phone tham..

"If you are waiting to be admitted to hospital, you should contact the hospital appointments’ department or the consultant on a regular basis, reminding the hospital staff that you are still waiting. If you are prepared to go into hospital at short notice you should say so, in case a cancellation occurs. You should also keep your GP informed of your condition, particularly if it deteriorates.

If you are on a hospital waiting list and fail to turn up for an appointment or admission, you may be put back to the bottom of the waiting list. If you aren’t available for a period of time for a good reason, for example, work commitments, illness or a pre-arranged holiday, you should let the hospital know and your position on the waiting list will be paused until you become available again.

"

[Kirsty131 in reply to whisperathome]

I do have all that information and will do that today.

Thank you whisperathome 👍

[whisperathome]

lets know how you get on... take care

[gal4God]

I’ve been dealing with hair tinning due to a chest infection

[Tinalef]

Hi. I was diagnosed with 50-60% blockage in LAD after angiogram in May last year. Put on statins, aspirin & amlodipine. Had a stress test last Aug & finally saw cardiologist last week who said to stay on meds. Stress test showed no problems. Advised to stay on meds as stable at moment. To go back in 2 years unless I get any further chest pains or symptoms.

However, do worry about every twinge, especially when read about widow maker. Feel positive one day then not so the next. Like you worry that I will suddenly pop....I try to be positive and think at least I know unlike others.

Take care

[Kirsty131 in reply to Tinalef]

I don’t know if it’s good to know or not 😀 I get chest pain everyday and they say you should go to A&E but that would be silly, I would never leave the place!

Stay well Tinalef