Worried

[Smerblue]

Hi Everyone, I had a heart attack in February last year with two stents fitted, I have two other arteries that are 60% blocked. I was doing really well until I had what I can only describe as a panic attack in October. Since then I’ve had several episodes where I feel I’m going to die. Since November I have had severe chest pains, indigestion, headaches, stomach aches and a bad cough. A couple have made me call 111 with a trip to A & E. My obs were ok and I was sent out. The last two weeks I have felt as though my body is poisoned just a feeling of being unwell. Sorry to moan has anyone else suffered similar episodes. Thanks

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Smerblue. Don’t worry about moaning and sorry to hear you’re not feeling great. First off I want to say it’s good that you’re phoning 111 etc. You know how you feel and what’s happening and it’s important that you don’t let things run on. Sounds to me like you could be having a reaction to the meds you’re on. Chest pains aside (which I’m assuming you’re taking GTN to alleviate) the others are commonly reported side effects of anti platelets/PPI/ACE inhibitor et al. I suggest you go and see your Doctor and discuss your symptoms. There are alternatives if they’re not suiting you. If you need to talk to someone quickly then the BHF nurses are available. Please don’t stop taking the meds without seeing your doctor first though.

[Smerblue in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks for the reply and info. Just hearing that a lot of the things I’m feeling may be side effects has helped calm me down. Appointment with the doc next week.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Very good advice from NorthantsSteve above. Only thing I’d add is keep vigilant, until you get a Drs assessment of your drugs.......don’t be afraid to get to and E if you are really worried. I had few symptoms with each HA, just a feeling of ‘impending doom’!

[Saffron63]

Hi Smerblue, I don’t think your moaning and I don’t want to take away the very good advice given but panic is dreadful. It can cause all your symptoms and more. The fact you are approaching a year since your ‘out of the blue’ event could also be a trigger for panic.

I do think you should discuss with your GP all your symptoms and ask if there is any support you can get with managing the panic attack, just see what’s available then look at alternatives such as meditation or counselling.

I wish you all the best and know you are not alone.

[Smerblue in reply to Saffron63]

Thank you.

[Qualipop]

SNAP. I'm in the identical position although mine was just over a year ago. Heart attack, t wo stents and two further blockages somewhat worse than yours but not bad enough to stent. How you are feeling is a natural reaction to the shock. The physical symptoms could be caused by your tablets too. My first year was the year from hell. I ended up having almost every tablet changed because of side effects. I had breathing problems from ticagrelor; stomach pain from something else. the BP tablets dropped it so low I could barely get out of a chair. Bisopralol gave me horrific hallucinations at night and I've only just managed to start sleeping with the light off again. Do talk to your GP about the worst problems. If it is tablets there are alternatives for everything. You can also get counselling to deal with the panic and shock. Some people even develop PTSD after a hert attack. Knowing I have two other part blockages terrified me until I realised the tablets were helping those too- no, not realised, persuaded my brain to accept the fact. You should have been offered cardiac rehab and advice on diet and exercise; do take it. Just being with others in the same position will help massively. IT's taken me a year to calm down properly- with the help of my superb GP.

[Smerblue]

Thanks for the reply. I felt great for the first 6-8 months. Then dreadful since. The cardiac rehab went well. I was back running within a month of the H A. They said I was doing great and said I didn’t need them which I agreed with at the time. As I write this I’m having palpitations every couple of minutes. Going to docs next week. Glad you’re calm and accepting of the situation. Good luck.