Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

[Gcart]

I am new here . My son died very suddenly of a heart attack in July this year . The same day due to the news I ended up in hospital with above attack .

My other son is now treated and his son’s being tested etc .

I had evidence of things wrong with me prior to that but I come here today with a question.

I am on Diltiazem and have been spacing 3 times a day but I forget .

Does anyone have experience with this snd could I take my dose altogether?

Not yet had follow up with cardio consultants, but hopefully should be sometime in November.

Thank you in advance

[Yasyass]

Hi I don’t kn about ur condition but sorry for u loss and hope u r feeling well I hope someone can share their experience or knowledge take care wishin u the best

[Gcart in reply to Yasyass]

Thank you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about the loss of your son.

Here's the NHS advice about forgetting to take your Diltiazem:

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take a dose and you usually take diltiazem:

* once a day – take it as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 12 hours until your next dose. In this case, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

* twice a day – take it as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 4 hours until your next dose. In this case, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

* three times a day – leave out that dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

Apologies I cannot seem to format it better.

Hopefully your appointment next month will not get delayed.

[Gcart in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you

[meadfoot]

So sorry to hear of the dreadful time you are going through. Can’t help with your question but send you my good wishes and a virtual hug. I hope someone here will be able to assist you with your question. X

[Gcart in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Gcart,

I am so sorry to hear of the terribly sad loss of your son. Please accept my condolences to you and your family at such a difficult time for you all.

I was originally prescribed Diltiziem 3 times a day and like you I kept forgetting to take in particular the middle afternoon dose.

I can't be late or forget any of my tablets otherwise I get more angina pain.

My Cardiologist prescribed slow release Diltiziem tablets which I take at 8am and 8pm.

Perhaps discuss this option with your Cardiologist?

I have an alarm on my phone to remind me to take my tablets at 8am, 6pm, 8pm and 11pm.

There are a couple of other forum members who have experience of living with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy hopefully they will be along to share their experiences with you.

I hope you are able to resolve this issue soon.

[Buffafly]

‘Broken heart syndrome’ - in your case the right name, so sorry.

I take diltiazem in an ‘extended release’ form so only one capsule a day. Maybe it’s more expensive to prescribe but makes life much easier 🦋

[Gcart in reply to Buffafly]

To everyone. Thank you for your kind words.

Milkfairy. What a good idea to set on phone ! Why didn’t I think of that 😙 certainly think that will work for me. Maybe when I see the consultant I would have a once s day plan !

😘

[Sunnie2day in reply to Gcart]

The beauty of this site is how something shared by one can be such a help to someone else, like Milkfairy's setting her phone alarm being a good solution to help you remember your meds.

I am so sorry about your loss ((hug)).

[Gcart in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you. Very helpful group.

[Lezzers]

I can't answer your question about your medication, I just wanted to say how very sorry I am to hear about the loss of your son. You have my heartfelt condolences xx

[Gcart in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you .

[Reeniem]

My deepest sympathies Gcart on the loss of your son big. Hugs 🤗

[Gcart in reply to Reeniem]

Thank you

[080311]

So very sorry to read your post. I send you my deepest sympathies. This is not how it’s supposed to be.

Take good care Pauline

[Gcart in reply to 080311]

Thank you

[valezio]

I am deeply sorry for your loss, thinking of you & sending love & hugs. I lost my son 11 years ago, he was 40 and had Wolf Parkinson Whyte Syndrome. He coped fine, it just gave him occasional palpitations but sadly one morning he had Cardiac Arrest at home, was put in an induced coma on life support but to no avail. I have high blood pressure and have been on meds since 1992, had so many different ones over the years. I’m now on Adizem and Losarten. I agree with others re setting alarm for talking your meds. I have done that before on my phone. I hope things improve for you, I’m glad you found this page, people are so kind and caring so be sure to ask anything you need to. God Bless you & keep you safe🙏🙏🙏 Much love to you❤️xxxxxx

[Gcart in reply to valezio]

I reflect your kind words back to you valezio. Such a blow to me 😪 .

It’s feels a comfort when people respond on here . As you say a kind and informative forum . So clearly needed , thank you .

I have set my phone alarm , works perfectly!

[istimewa]

Hi Gcart - so glad that you have found a simple trick to stick to 3 times per day diltiazem by setting an alarm. But if you have other medications to take, then the slow-release diltiazem formulation could still offer some advantage to you.

I am sad about you losing your son. I hope my message is still ok, after you've already received so many from others. Life is choppy for you and your family right now but eventually it will get lighter. I send you my deepest condolences for your loss. Your son will live forever in a special corner of your heart, and nobody can take that away. Wish you and your family the best of luck with cardiomyopathy. (I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as well as furred up coronary arteries of atherosclerosis) xxx

[Gcart]

Thank you. I agree. He will remain my wonderful son and not have to face old age .

Does prove hard for many and gives me some comfort .

[Pandor]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your son and your own illness.

I was diagnosed with Takotsubo a week ago. Before this diagnosis I had a traumatic and painful fall in the Icy conditions just outside my home.

After four days of intense pain I went to the emergency dept of my local hospital for an X-ray. I was admitted and stayed three nights in hospital. An electrocardiogram and CT scan were done. Due to these tests showing damage to the left ventricle of my heart I was diagnosed with severe heart failure. I was sent home with many pills including Remipril, Bisoprolol

An MRI scan two weeks later showed my heart restored to good condition with no sign of heart failure.

Conclusion by the cardiologist that I had suffered a Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

I am trying to find out as much as I can about this condition as I have been told that this could happen again and could lead to heart failure.

[Gcart in reply to Pandor]

Hello Pandor. Sorry you are going through this as I did .

I came out from hospital with the same meds . However they didn't suit me and I went on the be diagnosed with small vessel angina . I now take Diltiazem and it seems to suit me well .

Obviously you must seek your own path but I hope you get the correct help from the doctors .

Hope you get a follow up appointment and a chance to get the best treatment etc.

I wish you all the best.