cracking up

[Shellac]

hi all just been recently diagnosed with mircovascular angina and already got a stent fitted for a sseverely blocked artery, I'm perimenapause and feeling really sorry for my self so painful when I hhave an angina attack how iis eevery one else coping

[Hidden]

Hello

Sorry you are suffering it is not nice and you do feel like you are as you say cracking up but honestly you are not you are going through a bad time but you will come out the other end

Keep nagging your Doctors keep telling them how bad this is and how you are suffering until they give you the help and support you need

You are not alone x

[Shellac in reply to Hidden]

thank you having a bad day today hope you are ok x

[Hidden in reply to Shellac]

Hello

I honestly know the feeling I have been having a bad few weeks and it leaves you in tears wondering will it ever get better but we have to take each day at a time and stay in that day

Today might be a bad day but look to tomorrow that is a new day and I hope a better one for you

Think of any little things that happen in a day that are not to bad and hold onto them believing there will be many more to come x

[Shellac in reply to Hidden]

yes I think that's what I got to do one day at a time xx

[Hidden in reply to Shellac]

x

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Many here have gone through heart events and find the first stage pretty hard, just being really shocked at what’s happened to them.

It may take a while to get to working out how to get the best out of it! There are also a few knowledgable members here who will share good information on micro vessel angina, and what might work best.

[Leszo]

Hi ya, just going through the similar problem with unstable angina, not a pleasant experience at all. One feels let down by the NHS system. So far It has taken me 6 weeks to get to some sort of medical management balance by going to A&E on three separate occasions hoping that my meds will be changed or tweaked. Unfortunately, their suggestion made it worse. On two occasions. They will not take away, but only add. Luckily, my GP has helped, but they too feel that their knowledge in this area is very limited. It looks like my life is going to change drastically, as I believe I'm reacting to medication more than the disease. I could be wrong, though. After looking at people on this forum who have unstable angina for over ten years, it has given me some hope.

I've been researching this condition to understand more about it, and slowly this pain in the centre of my chest has become more of a nuisance than a life-threatening condition. Some days I just let it fade away on its own, some days I use the GTN spray. Some days the GTN spay doesn't do anything and I sit there for a few hours, and then it will go away eventually.

The medical team in A & E told me that because my arteries aren't blocked, as I have recently had an angiogram. So there is no worry of a heart attack. That's something to know.

I'm waiting to see a cardiologist (10 weeks from now) to get my medical management sorted, however I don't think that much will be adjusted, then again it, maybe.

Hope what I have said is helpful.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Leszo]

hello Leszo, I can’t give any thoughts on unstable angina, except to say I do hope you are feeling better soon. I can certainly relate to medication side effects, it has taken me nearly a year to get my sorted and even now I am not sure about statins after my bypass It will improve and get better, I am just so sorry for all your frustration. I really hope you are feeling much better very soon. xxx

[Clerkenweller]

going by my own and others experience on this woderful site what you are experiencing is far from uncommon. A big problem is a panic or anxiety attack which can easily be confused with a heart or some other event by the person having it. There are mindfulness techniques to over come them. I would suggest that you keep a symptom diary so that you can be clear with your GP or cardiologist (when you can talk to them!) as to the problems you are having. Some might be related to your new drug regime and your body acclimatising or you need to switch your drugs. The GTN spray should alleviate any angina attack. If you use it and after five minutes you have no relief use it again. If after that you are still in severe pain go to A&E. I hope things settle down. 🙂

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Shellac,

I have just seen your post.

I am sorry you are struggling.

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are well known for causing prolonged and severe chest pain. My vasospastic angina feels like being in labour to me.

I have lived with coronary vasospasms for 10 years. I have transient narrowing of my small and large blood vessels. Microvascular and vasospastic angina.

Do you feel your Cardiologist has tge expertise and experience necessary to help you?

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are not well understood conditions and it can take time to find the best combination of medication that works best for you.

I suggest you keep a diary of your symptoms and see if you can spot the triggers for your angina.

Mine are the cold, emotional, mental and physical stress.

A delayed response is not unusual especially to exercise.

Find ways of reducing your stress.

I find yoga, tai chi and walking my dog daily helps me.

There is a free app insight timer that has lots of different relaxation techniques that may help.

insighttimer.com/en-gb

I layer up in the winter. So perhaps invest in some thermals, leggings and long sleeved tops. My shoes have liners and I cover my face before going outside in the winter.

Have you been prescribed GTN spray? If so start using as the chest pain starts.

This website has some good information about other coping strategies if you live with Microvascular or vasospastic angina.

internationalheartspasmsall...

The biggest challenge for me us how living with pain can effect my mental well being. Nobody can see another person's pain. I attended a Pain Management Programme which was run by pain psychologists and physiotherapists. It helped me respond emotionally to my pain in a less negative way.

Perhaps ask your GP to refer you to a Pain Management Programme?

Most of all be kind and compassionate to yourself. Living with pain that can be unpredictable and severe can be frightening and very challenging.

The forum has several members who live with either microvascular or vasospastic angina. I am sure they will be along to share their experiences with you too.

Just post a question specifically about microvascular angina and people will respond.

[Shellac in reply to Milkfairy]

hi milkfairy yes its scary the angina pain is horrific I'm trying to see what triggers it and watching not to waste my energy, I'm taking it day by day, thank you for replying big hugs to you ❤❤❤❤