Does anyone take Ranolazine

[11walking22]

I’ve been taking Ranolazine for a week now and I’m finding it hard to get a deep breath into my lungs I’m not out of breath but it’s a bit concerning I’ve mentioned this to my Gap he’s advised me to stick with it also palpitations when I sit back down after walking about the house which settle when I sit

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Hi 11walking22,I assume you're taking Ranolazine for Microvascular Angina? I have MVA too, and Ranolazine was the first medication I was given. After several months if use it started giving me heart spasms so I had to stop. It doesn't work for everyone, I would advise contacting your consultant who will be able to suggest a different medication. Unfortunately treating MVA involves a fair bit of trial and error and you will probably need to use several methods to control it (medication, relaxation techniques, hot water bottles etc ). Good luck!

[Theshed]

Hi,I have been taking Ranolazine for nearly two years and it was a life changer for me - massively reducing my heart spasms and settling my MVA.

I still have ‘attacks’ and struggle with catching my breath but these are far less frequent and more easily managed with the ranolazine, and other meds (Amplodomine, Isobord mononitrate, and lamprozol - please excuse spelling!)

I agree with others that it takes time in finding the ideal medical cocktail for each of us, individually, so all I can suggest is for you to give it a chance to settle and see how it goes.

Best, etc.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

Ranolazine is like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

Ranolazine tends only to work for half the patients who take it.

There is mixed evidence that it helps patients coronary vasospasms, it tends to work better with MVA.

I was prescribed Ranolazine many years ago before my diagnosis of vasospastic angina was confirmed.

I was presumed to have microvascular dysfunction before then.

Ranolazine wasn't for me.

I had palpitations and a sensation of some squeezing the air out of my lungs, I felt I couldn't breathe in.

MVA and vasospastic angina are challenging to treat and live with.

I have lived with coronary vasospasms for 9 years.

As others have said it is almost an art form to get the best combination of medication to treat MVA and vasospastic angina well.

I suggest you contact your Cardiologist for a review of your medication.

[11walking22 in reply to Milkfairy]

Many thanks I had stent put in last October but never diagnosed outright with Angina I have no symptoms on exertion but occasionally a little pain at rest which isn’t very often I have been fine up to now but when I mentioned the occasional pain only no other symptoms at rest the Cardiologist straight away put me on the medication which the Chemist prescribed not my doctor I’ve read it can cause problems with the lungs so I will speak to my GP Monday morning if I can I’ve never seen my Cardiologist since my stent was put in only phone calls I would like to speak to them face to face which I think is better My sister is a Cardiovascular nurse in California and I will speak to her as well for advice many thanks

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to 11walking22]

I suggest you ask for a face to face review with a Cardiologist as you are having chest pain at rest.

Some people have ongoing chest pain after a stent sometimes it can be due to non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD. eg microvascular and vasospastic angina or for other reasons. The cause of your chest pain at rest needs proper investigation.

NOCAD is unfortunately often overlooked and under recognised.

It is great you have your sister though. Ask her if she is aware of NOCAD.