Hi folks
I suffer from coronary artery spams.
Does anyone take diltiazem and amitriptyline at the same time . My GP has prescribed amitriptyline (25mg) and I take 200mg of diltiazem daily.
The reason for the amitriptyline is to help reduce my anxiety and to replace diazepam , which has been very helpful, but I can't stay on diazepam im told.
The drug interaction site highlights moderate risks .
Cheers
Hello Battle2020
As you know me and vasospastic angina have been in a relationship now for nearly 9 years. Not the best of relationships especially during the winter as the cold increases my angina episodes.
Have you considered trying non pharmacological approaches to managing your anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy and Mindfulness meditation, yoga and Tai Chi can help.
Even just walking in nature or taking up a hobby are stratergies that some people find helpful to manage their anxiety.
Perhaps give the amitriptyline a try see how you get on while you see if you can find other strategies that may work for you too.
Only you can decide what works and is best for you.
I hope feel more at ease soon.
Hi , I hope you are doing okay. Thanks for getting back to me. I have tried CBT which didn't help me at all , in fact I felt worse after each session. Haven't rrally tried meditation- cant seem to get my head round that. I do use calming apps and listen audio books. Im also thinking of hobbies or more like projects for me as distraction is a great help.
Im out walking every day and I'm lucky to live near a few beaches so me and my wee dug make good use of that.
Youre right about the cold weather affecting the spasms and I am finding that the diltiazem is helping. I feel if I increased the dose it might get rid of all the spasms ,but not sure of thats how it works.
I was just worried that amitriptyline would make things worse . I have used it before for pain and sleep. Might give it a go as long g as its safe .
As you know I caught covid at hospital so that was a major setback and I still struggling with fatigue as a result, which doesn't help.
I did feel that diazepam (5mg only at night) helps greatly and wish I could just stay in that.
Still got a long way to go to get used to this condition so I need to be more patient.
Nice chatting to you again. Keep well and stay safe
Owning a pet can be so helpful. Any excuse for me to post a picture of a very important part of my coping strategies, my young dog Millie
Love your dog she's beautiful . My wee molly is my best friend
You are so lucky being near beach. Millie says woof to Molly
I meant to ask if its possible to get rid of the spasms completely or do you just have to learn to live with it? I seem to get long periods ,mostly morning and night time, of little but very annoying spasms.
Everyone is different. Some people just have a short period of vasospasms especially if it's associated with taking cocaine or an extreme allergic reaction.
Other people achieve good control of their symptoms with medication and lifestyle changes in particular managing stress or the cold weather.
A small number of individuals live with debilitating symptoms for good.
I hope you are in the former group. It can take time to find the best combination of medication that will help.
Isosorbide mononitrate extended release tablets along with GTN spray, Nicorandil and statins can help too.
There is now more awareness of Vasospastic angina and hopefully that will lead to more research to find better ways of treating the condition.
It is a bewildering condition to come to terms with.
Hi , thanks for your reply and I also hope I'm in the former group. The spams I get ( think that's what they are anyway) are small, but very annoying. Sometimes they can be on/off all day and some days I hardly get any at all. All very weird .
Cheers
I was on both. I am on 30mg amitriptyline for insomnia and was on diltiazem. I had to switch from diltiazem to lercanidipine so that I could take Bisoprolol because I also have postural tachycardia syndrome.
Hi Jacey 15 , thanks for getting back to me .How did you find it when you were on both?
Did you experience any side effects ?
Cheers
I had no problems with taking them both at the same time and have no problems taking lercanidipine (similar to diltiazem) with amitriptyline now.
Were they bad side effects? Im just a little worried to take both. I also don't think the diltiazem completely stops my spasms, but maybe i expect too much
The amitriptyline, I have to take at 7pm. If I take it later, I feel groggy in the morning. I also wake up thirsty from it. CCBs don't stop my spasms either. The only side effect I have from them is swollen ankles. The medication that's made the biggest difference to both me and my dad is isosorbide mononitrate.
Thanks for this. Take care and stay safe
Hi battle2020
I suffer from ectopic beats and was prescribed amitriptyline by doc to help my sleep with pain in my hip !! But I was told they slow your heart rate down, I was scared to take them, but I wondered if you and anyone else has ectopics and take amitriptyline......as Iam going through mill with no sleep due to ectopic beats and my BP going up at night!! Wonder if I should take them , there only 5mg ..
Or even diazepam might help me...iam waiting to speak to my GP today
All the best
Sue
Hi, I suffer from coronary artery spasms and currently just take diltiazem and haven't taken the the amitriptyline yet . Just not sure about taking both together 😕
Ah ok , thank you for replying ...all the best
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