Glyceryl Trinitrate

[Philco37]

Hi All, I am a new member of this forum, was thought 'by my GP' 2 moths ago,that I have angina. I already take Losartan 25mg, then added to this was Bisoprolol 1,25mg. Atorvastatin 20mg, Asprin 75mg, and Omeprazole Capsules 10mg, plus Glyceryl Trinitrate 400 micro-grams spray. I was given an ECG which was fine.

I had understood that i would be referred to a cardiac clinic anyway, as GP said they did not have the equipment to confirm Angina at the surgery. However, I received a phone call 10 days later to say that Cardiac clinic not not want to see me, and that I was to continue taking the medication.

I like to be quite active, gardening, brisk-walking, etc., but yesterday after some heavy digging in the garden, then later 20 minutes brisk walking I began to feel some tightness in the chest, (I had felt this before, but never chest pain, only tightness in the upper chest), I decided to use to spray, twice under the tongue, a few minutes later whilst still standing, I came over very dizzy, then my eye sight became completely taken over by shuddering bright lights, forcing me to sit back in an arm chair, my wife came to me to help and to know what was going on, when I simply passed out completely, coming round, which I was told a few minutes later, my wife said I had gone completely pale, with blueish lips, and was completely out of it, I then felt totally shocked, sweating profusely, and shaking.

I was then able to call 999, and after explaining on the phone, I was told to take 4 asprin and told two paramedic's would arrive after a while, by which time I feeling that much better. These two brilliant guys checked me over, gave me an ECG, glucose test, and BP check, all was good, after all these tests and talking for a while they considered me OK to stay at home, no need to go to hospital.

What I would like to know, if anyone can help me, is:- Is there any way of confirming if a person definitely has angina, as I am beginning to think that these medications are causing me a lot of side effects that can be quite troublesome. and perhaps I should have received better information than just being handed a pile of prescriptions and left to get on with it? What should I do next?, any help please.

[Forestdweller]

The gtn spray can lower your blood pressure and can make some people feel dizzy or pass out. It’s quite common. I always take mine sat down or even laid out on the sofa as it makes me very dizzy. Your doc should have warned you about that really! The angina causes the sweating and I assume the shaking which I also get, is either the angina or the shock of angina attack or the spray.. who knows, I haven’t figured that one out yet. Obviously the chest pain/ tight chest is the angina. I haven’t heard about the funny vision, but that could well be the drop in blood pressure. Im sure it would be worth speaking to your gp about what happened though.

[Philco37 in reply to Forestdweller]

Thank you for that Forestdweller, I am beginning to realize just how new to me these angina medications are, I did start to feel better pretty soon after coming around, but the whole thing was such a shock to the system, and my dear wife really thought I had gone. You are also right when you say perhaps more detail should have been given to me when first prescribed the spray, one of the paramedics that attended me also expressed that opinion,but our GP service at present is pretty well all done over the phone. I will take on board your idea of lying down if I need to use the spray again though, so many thanks once again.Philco

[Healthyheart1 in reply to Philco37]

Hi philco37, hope your now feeling better. At least I would have thought that someone would see you from the hospital.

Phone the chemist you got the medication from or go to see the pharmacist.

They should explain about your medication and what to expect.

Good luck regards Sheena

[Hatchjd]

I use only one spray of GTN at a time and repeat after 5 minutes if needed.

[dunestar]

I would have thought the doctors would have wanted to know more about what's causing the angina. My route was slightly dodgy ECG, then echo followed by stress echo and angiogram. You are likely to end up on the same meds though as they are pretty standard for angina.

[Jaycey]

I would think your GP would refer you to a cardiologist for an angiogram. Please push for this. I had normal ECGs but developed angina including all the symptoms you describe. One of my arteries was 99% blocked. I had 3 stents and am now on the same medication you are taking.

[AndyM69]

Hi there

I believe the test to confirm angina is an exercise stress test, where you are on a treadmill and hooked up to cardiac monitors to assess your hearts behaviour under stress. If this is not physically possible then I think there are alternate tests that can be done.

It’s is interesting that you have said the cardiac clinic have told you that you don’t need to attend - I think it is worth checking in with your GP on this to make sure there is nothing else that needs to be done. A simple phone call with them would suffice.

The GTN does lower your BP and very quickly, it opens up the arteries to your heart so that it receives more blood and alleviates any angina symptoms. It can be a bit of shock and can lead to dizziness, headaches etc so I would take the advice of others who have replied and sit or lie down as suggested.

Maybe also try one squirt and wait and then another if you feel need it, we’re all different and react differently to medication.

I hope both you and your wife have recovered from the shock of the situation.

Take care

Andrew

[Philco37 in reply to AndyM69]

Well, thank-you everyone, for taking the trouble to reply to me, I must say I now know a great deal more than I did when I walked out of the GP's office, thanks to you. I think my dear wife feels even more stressed than myself. She keeps telling me she has this vision of my face all grey and lips blue, with no response when trying to speak to me. I understand that I have been referred for a ECG with the heart working hard from walking fast or running maybe on a treadmill, (no sure what they call that). Whether I would ever be tempted to use the spray again I cannot say, from what I read on-line from an NHS site, was that the reaction I got was not normal, and that I was correct to ring 999, I shall have to go back to my GP of course, but not with any confidence, it seems a case of 'thank goodness for the internet', and then being in-touch with friends like yourselves willing to talk to me. So thank you again one and all, philco

[Dj1962]

When I used the gtn spray it had the same effect..but I'd been told in advance what could happen so it came as no surprise...

Since having a bypass I've not needed to use it again..Good luck

[Philco37 in reply to Dj1962]

Hi Dj1962, thank you for your reply, but please, if you have been told that you could expect that effect from the spray, but that you should still use it, then that has to be correct for you, please don't let my experience put you off, it could well be important to you, and my best wishes to you. philco

[humph3]

My angina causes chest pain and sometimes a pain in the back of my neck and once a pain in my upper arm. I support all of the above comments and always sit down when I use spray as it makes me light headed- good luck.

[Philco37 in reply to humph3]

Thank you for your detail humph3, I spent this morning in a cardiac unit where the doctor there went into great detail regarding the use of the spray, much for me to think about, so thanks again, philco

[heartsonfire in reply to Philco37]

Hi Philco,

Just read this thread and wanted to add that my husband has the headache and eye/vision disturbance you describe on using his GTN spray too.

The last time he used it, sitting down, he actually lost his vision for a good few minutes, he likened it to the vision problems he used to get warning him when a migraine headache was starting.

All the best for your future investigations.

Catherine