Micro Vascular Angina,

[Barb959]

Hi, diagnosed with MVA taking all sorts of meds each day and having quite a few episodes a week, having to use GTN spray numerous times a day. Now I am starting to get same symptoms at night sometimes even being woken up by this. Chest pain, neck, left arm the usual, headaches, hot a little breathlessness. Using my GTN spray it eases it slightly. Totally disrupting my life 😩

Just having a moan

Thanks

Barb

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Barb959

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are certainly debilitating painful conditions!

Are you keeping warm? My angina has been much worse because of the recent frosts.

Have you considered asking to see a different Cardiologist for a second opinion? MVA is not well understood and it is guess work to find the best treatment. Very few Cardiologists have much experience of treating MVA and it may take while to find a Cardiologist that can help.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Barb959 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy, yes the weather does make a difference, it’s just so annoying that it’s happening at night now. I am seeing my GP next week, the cardiologist I was seeing did not get MVA so do not have a cardiologist but my GP is quite knowledgeable and is getting me into a pain clinic. I think I mentioned this last time to you. We are seeing how things go then will refer to hopefully a understanding cardiologist, fingers crossed.

Thanks

Barb

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Barb959]

Perhaps share this article with your GP.

It is written by a BHF funded team researching MVA and vasospastic angina

heart.bmj.com/content/104/4...

Table 2 gives some suggested treatment options which may help your GP. Your GP could also contact the Glasgow team for their opinion too.

I get alot of pain at night too. It's the 4am wake up that really gets to me 😖

[Barb959 in reply to Milkfairy]

Will do thanks

[Hidden]

Its a nightmare but it will get better. Its early days for you but when they get the right medication for you things will improve. I was working full time 12 weeks ago and out of the blue suffered a heart attack and diagnosed with connary spasms its life changing and you need time to adjust emotionally and physically x

[Barb959 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rainbow, thanks. I was diagnosed with MVA 12 months ago and they are just trying to get my meds sorted. This has just started at night the last few weeks.

Hope your feeling a bit better to, you are right it is emotional and physically draining.

Thanks

Barb

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It is a terrible time when it just seems to take ages to find some combination of treatments that helps. My symptoms are so much better now after what seemed lots of trial and error with pills,. Lots of angina at night (the dreaded 4 o’clock!), and worse with hot cold damp windy slopes, stress etc etc.

I’ve just got back from a brilliant Cyprus holiday, hardly any angina, predictable social life, reading and painting again, exercising 5 times a week etc etc.

I’m sure things will improve, but it may take a bit more time, and a creative Dr!

[Denva]

So sorry to hear what you are going through. My very humble suggestion is that you ease off on the spray. I have found that when I use it I get horrendous headaches.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Denva]

Hi Denva

With time the ' nitrate head' wears off.

Those of us living with Vasospastic angina are often prescribed oral isosorbide mononitrate as well as patches and GTN spray.

GTN helps to reduce vasospasms.

It is important to use the spray and get through the headache for this reason.