amlodipine

[Poppy451]

my doctor wants to put me on Amlodipine. I have read it can make angina worse to begin with. I don't want to take it. What medications are other people taking for vaso spasm and microvascular angina?

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Over the 10 years of living with Vasospastic angina, I have been prescribed many different medications as my angina is resistant to treatment.

I suggest you keep a diary of your symptoms.

Start your new medication and see if it improves your symptoms or not.

Calcium channel blockers such as Amlodipine, Diltiazem and Verapamil are all offered to people living with vasospastic angina.

The mechanisms causing vasospastic angina are different to microvascular angina so the treatment options different.

Microvascular angina is usually due to microvascular dysfunction though a small minority of people have microvessel vasospasms.

These types of angina without obstructed coronary arteries ANOCA are complex.

The treatment options not straightforward.

We are also all different and respond differently to our medications.

It may be a case of trial and error to find the best combination of medication that works best for you.

[Poppy451 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks I am on diltaizem already and don't really want to come off it . I think he maybe adding Amlodipine as well. I had a chat on the phone with him but will have a proper face to face meeting with the Dr soon.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Poppy451]

I took both Diltiazem and Amlodipine for awhile.

It didn't help. So my Diltiazem is now on maximum doses.

Your Cardiologist is professionally responsible and accountable for your care.

I would check with your Cardiologist exactly why they are recommending you take Amlodipine.

Dr Google's consulting room, can give poor and false information.

My understanding, from the article below is that Amlodipine can, in people with severe obstructive coronary artery disease, possibly increase their risk of a heart attack or angina.

Amlodipine is however recommended as a treatment for vasospastic angina.

drugs.com/monograph/amlodip...

A real life Cardiologist is still the best source of reliable information.

[Poppy451 in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes thanks I will ask him why he wants to add/change to Amlodipine. And I will tell him my concerns as well.

[Poppy451]

That's great I am glad to hear that it has a positive effect on you. I am scared because I have read it can cause a heart attack when the medication can make symptoms worse before it gets better.