Giving up work

[tonyhall2015]

Hello I’m 48 and have had 3 heart attacks , last one 2 years ago . I have had several visits in to hospital the last 2 years with emergency admissions due to severe chest pain and several times been told it’s unstable angina. I think my stressing with a pressured job doesn’t help and certainly my body cannot tolerate gtn spray . It basically knock me out . I have 2 private pensions I’ve saved up for and wondering if I might qualify to cash them in to live in for a few years if I can get it . Does unstable angina count as serious Illness. ?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The earliest you can usually take a pension or make a 25% withdrawal is 55. Sometimes it can be taken earlier in the case of severe ill health. You really need to get some good advice but first read all the relevant information on your schemes.

Is there any chance of getting a low stress (probably lower paid) job?

[Jinky07]

The times I’ve had to use the spray my head gets that’s sore that I feel sick and have to go to bed.

[pinnelli]

Sorry to hear all that. You should talk to s pensions / financial adviser and also find out what public funding there may be if you cannot work. Take care

[Grayjay]

Regarding you GTN sprays. There are several different makes on the market. Some give you a terrible headache and not others. I found one called Nitrolingual suitable for me. Worth asking your GP to try some different types.

[Hidden]

Unstable angina (occurs without undue stress or exercise) is serious and in Oz will usually be treated with stents and/or bypass. Stable angina might be treated with just meds and lifestyle changes. Either way, you are young enough to be able to enjoy a full life with proper treatment, not just masking the symptoms with sprays etc. I'd find another doctor if you aren't getting that advice.

[Hidden]

Hi I was 58 when I got diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, I was unable to work again, my work offered voluntary exit with my pension which I took, but you had to be 50 to get It, the exit scheme offered a bigger lump sum to younger members of staff who could not access there pension, mabe you could speak to HR to see if they had any plans for redundancies or an exit scheme, you could also try to claim ESA or PIP from dwp, it's a difficult system to navigate, I had to get help with the forms from an advice centre, citizens advice are very good and helpful, I did get PIP which has made a huge difference for me with it came a blue badge for parking and no road tax to pay, I can now use it for the help I need in the house etc without the worry, I live alone and it has helped so much, if there is anything else you want to ask, please message anytime, take care char xx

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

You’ve had a v similar heart experience to me (three HAs and 9 stents) though I’m a lot older. I’ve had everything that can be, stented. My unstable angina is now put down to microvessel disease and managed by meds.

Like you, it has meant lots of blue lights and angiograms.

One word of experience is that Ive got used to the GTN spray, and I am now also on longer acting mononitrate isosorbide, too. The headaches after each spray were horrendous, but I persisted and now get no headaches and very few unstable episodes.

Life is much happier.

I hope yours goes the same way!

[shopman in reply to Kristin1812]

Have you tried the flavoured GTN?

[Alison_L in reply to shopman]

Ooh, do they do chocolate flavour? Actually, perhaps that's not a good idea - we'll all be collapsing from GTN overdoses

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

No! Haven’t heard of it. Does it make the headaches any better?

[shopman in reply to Kristin1812]

I have a variety of GTN sprays dotted around different places so always one available if required. Have one next to the bed, in the car, at work and usually carry one in my pocket. The new one I got earlier this year was different from the others in that it has a red collar contains only 180 doses as opposed to 200. It is also peppermint flavoured meaning it is more palatable than normal. As for headaches I don't know as have become immune to them over the years with all the different nitrates I have had.

[Loving-life in reply to shopman]

Same here keep them all over the place. Didnt know you could get different types though, so pleased i read these posts as gtn or g&t spray i like to call it gives me poindong2 headaches and stops me from whatever i am doing. I try to nehave myself and avoid using them.

[Shwmae]

Good luck Tony, sorry I haven't got any advice as this is all new to me too try not to stress and enjoy the rest of your life.

[Shwmae]

Did you take early retirement? I hope you are well and enjoying life.