MONOMIL S/R OR GNT SPRAY ?

[WardijaWardija]

Back in July I was awaiting a quadruple bypass, however due to other medical conditions it was deemed not viable so instead I was given a triple stent intervention.

From the 4 blocked arteries there was 1 artery that couldn't be stented.

Post-intervention, and on Clopidogrel 75mgs along with all the usual heart meds, all was well. After a month or so, not having done anything strenuous, I returned to my normal activities which I admit didn't include much excersize, other than daily dog walking.

As the weeks went by, I started to get the familiar classic breathlessness and chest/shoulder pain that I had before the stenting. Long story short, I thought I was having a HA and ended up in A&E. Fortunately it wasn't, and I was told my "attack" was most likely down to my 4th blocked artery that couldn't be stented.

Following this I saw my GP who gave me a prescription for the GNT Spray. To date I haven't used it as I've only had a couple of mild Angina episodes, which do pass if I sit and rest for 5/10 minutes.

Last week I saw my consultant for my 1st post-stenting follow up appointment. Consultant agreed with what I was previously told in relation to the 4th un-stented artery and suggested I be put on Monomil slow release 60mgs daily.

So now I have both the Monomil and the GTN spray - I haven't started the tablets because frankly the long list of unpleasant side effects worry me and seem almost worse than the angina attacks themselves.

I know that the drug companies have to list all known possible side effects, but I've never seen such a long list and of course, not everyone will necessarily experience them.

So my dilemma is, should I chance the tablets, or just use the spray, also with side effects, as and when needed?

Has anyone else had this issue and if so, how they resolved it?

Thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The Monomil is a prolonged release form of Isosorbide Mononitrate. This means it is another form of nitrate and works in the same way as GTN spray. I was on this before my quadruple bypass last year and had no side effects. GTN spray gave me a bad headache. You may get a mild headache for the first few days with the tablets but it quickly settles. I would suggest you give them a try.

[WardijaWardija in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you Michael, it's so helpful to get other members personal experiences. I think that I will try with them, but will start out on 30mgs in the morning and evaluate how they do in respect of my symptoms, which although are worrying, are fairly minor in terms of pain and duration.

Maybe 30 mgs will suffice with lesser or no side effects.

Fingers crossed, and thank you again.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I have been on isosorbide mononitrate extended release tablets for 7 years.

The ' nitrate head' you can experience at first does wear off with time.

When you first use the spray I suggest you sit down

The spray can make you feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous again these side effects wear of over time.

Perhaps talk to your pharmacist or ring the BHF helpline and speak to one of the Cardiac nurses.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I agree with Michael I would give them a go

[WardijaWardija in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy, for your comments and advice.

Having read Michael's reply also, I'm going to bite the bullet and try them, but as a half dose to start. Thanks for your support ☺

[Lezzers]

My comments on your post have gone!! However, all I really said was my husband was on 90mg slow release isosorbide monitrate for bout 20 years and never had any side effects from them.

[WardijaWardija]

Thanks, that gives me some much needed reassurance ☺

[Kieronwhite]

I take half a 60mg monomil a day and use the spray when needed. Haven’t had any side effects from this approach but every one is different