Angina

[Maltise]

I have been suffering with angina for 3 years worse in the last year . All my stress tests, PET scans ,echo and ecgs were normal . I had many visits to ER and told it was anxiety , reflux ,etc . I am suffering daily!! I tried nitro patch and did not tolerate it . I used the spray a few times and it affects me for hours . Now the cardiologist started me on Cadizem . I only took 15mg to start and have side effects . I don't metabolize meds well .I am up 5 times every night ,sweating , shaking and unwell . I don't have a life anymore . Anyone experiencing the same ? The cardiologist thinks I have vasospastic angina. Thanks

[Sljp0000]

Hi, sorry to hear you are feeling so rotten. Can I ask what your Angina symptoms are and when they come on.

From personal experience I had Angina for 10 years before I was told I needed a CABG x3 urgently. My symptons were a strange sensation in my neck and back of the throat. Occasionally I'd get the arm and chest pain if it was really bad. Did the spray stop your pain (even though it made you feel rubbish?) I find different brands of spray work differently on me, maybe ask your doctor for a different one? I once was rushed to A&E with a massive reaction to the spray but other times I've been absolutely fine. I think it depends how low my BP is when I take it.

Anyway, I'll get to my point, the only tests which proved my problems were a CT Angiogram with contrast followed by an Catheter Angiogram. Have you had these?

I do hope you get sorted. Xx

[Maltise in reply to Sljp0000]

Thanks. My symptoms are chest pain , tightness at times and feeling unwell .Sometimes the pain is localized and pinching in my left breast . It can also radiate to my arm . I get the tightness in my throat as well . I can get it at any time at rest or walking .At night I wake up several times with sweating , some chest pain and trembling with anxiety . I tried 3 days now of 15mg Cardizem and it was awful! Loosing hope . I did not have any invasive angiograms.

[Sljp0000 in reply to Maltise]

If you want to get to the bottom of it I would have an Angiogram. It's the only test which is going to give you a answer to your symptons. Of course you may have mild Angina but anxiety can multiply symptons amd make everything seem far worse than it is. For peace of mind get the test, you don't want your life to be taken over with symptoms when something can most likely be done about it when you know what you're dealing with.

Take care

Susie

[Maltise in reply to Sljp0000]

Thanks . I will have to discuss it with the cardiologist when I see him in 3 months ! Anyone else is on A different treatment for vasospastic angina ? Thank you all for your support.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

Other treatments you maybe offered are other calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or Amlodipine.

Isosorbide mononitrate,

Sublingual GTN spray, GTN patches.

Nicorandil.

Statins and antiplatelets.

I also use oxygen, TENS machine and hot water bottles.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks . Oxygen ? Hot water bottle and Tens for the pain ?

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

Yes, they all help with my chest pain.The oxygen also helps my migraines which I experience with my coronary vasospasms.

I am prescribed oxygen at night as that's when I experience alot of my chest pain.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks. You are so helpful and prompt with your answers

[Maltise in reply to Maltise]

Did you always have such severe pain or it got worse as the disease progressed?

[Eddie64 in reply to Sljp0000]

getting that test can prove very difficult as I’m finding out the hard way

[Maltise in reply to Eddie64]

Yes . Here in Montreal there is only one hospital where it is done .

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Maltise,

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 10 years.

I experience most of my chest pain at rest especially at night between midnight and 6am.

Vasospastic angina is very challenging to live with.

I suggest you keep a diary and see if you can spot any triggers for your angina episodes.

Common triggers are the cold, emotional, mental and physical stress.

I suggest you ask your Cardiologist to carry out the appropriate tests or refers you to a specialist who understands microvascular and vasospastic angina.

Vasospastic angina is along with microvascular angina types of non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD.

The BHF has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

You may find this website helpful too.

internationalheartspasmsall...

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks. My symptoms are chest pain , tightness at times and feeling unwell .Sometimes the pain is localized and pinching in my left breast . It can also radiate to my arm . I get the tightness in my throat as well . I can get it at any time at rest or walking .At night I wake up several times with sweating , some chest pain and trembling with anxiety . I tried 3 days now of 15mg Cardizem and it was awful! Loosing hope . I did not have any invasive angiograms.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

The cardiologist I saw last suggested the very invasive stimulation angiogram. I am very nervous about it as not too many are done here in Montreal .I don't know what my triggers are other than cold,heat and humidity and stress! I also don't metabolize meds , so am basically on no treatment !!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

I am sorry you sound as though you are between a rock and a hard place.

I had an angiogram with acetylcholine here in the UK in 2014 by an experienced Cardiologist and team.

It confirmed my diagnosis of vasospastic angina. It allowed me to take ill health retirement.

It was also important for me psychologically to know why I was having my symptoms.

It's a personal decision and only one you can make after a discussion with an expert Cardiologist.

I can't use sublingual GTN/ nitrates either.

I also have to manage my stress and pace my activities. I walk my dog daily, practice yoga and Tai Chi.

Despite high doses of Diltiazem, nicorandil and nitrates my vasospastic angina is sadly resistant to treatment.

To manage my angina, I use breathing and relaxation techniques like the ones I used in labour.

I also use a Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS machine and hot water bottles.

During a severe prolonged cluster of chest pain, I am admitted to hospital for treatment with IV GTN and IV morphine.

I also saw a Clinical Psychologist who specialised in Pain Management.

Are you able to access a Pain Management Programme?

Have you been able to be in contact with any other Canadian patients living with microvascular and vasospastic angina ?

The Facebook group that is included in the BHF website information I linked, in my reply, has a few Canadian members.

If you are on Facebook it might be worth joining the group.

facebook.com/groups/6267594...

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks. No ,I am not a Facebook fan ! I speak to a psychologist and meditate . I do have anxiety worse now of course .There is no group here . My chest pain as such is not always that severe . It is more the other debilitating symptoms that affected my life tremendously! I basically die and come back to life every few days !! That is the worst and it comes out of nowhere. I am well now and could be almost looking consciousness at any time !

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

Are you aware of this group ?

They have a few presentations from women living with microvascular dysfunction or coronary vasospasms.

cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca/nation...

There's WomensHeart in the US. They are doing a webinar about non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD next week.

womenheart-org.zoom.us/webi...

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks . I looked at the link , but did not see any presentations .

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

If you scroll down the CWHHC site you'll find the presentations.The group is made up of patients and professionals including several Cardiologists who are experienced in caring for women with NOCAD.

The WomenHeart webinar is being held next week.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

thanks. I found it and registered.On another note I was started on Cardizem 30mg 3times/day and only took 15mg to start. I had terrible side effects. Anyone else had the same experience ? Very discouraged!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Maltise]

There are several other members of the forum who live with either microvascular or vasospastic angina, hopefully they will be along to share their experiences with you.It can take time to find the best combination of medication that will help you best.

We all respond to medications differently.

The symptoms of microvascular and vasospastic angina can overlap.

However the causes and treatment options are different.

Are you able to be referred to a specialist who understands microvascular and vasospastic angina?

It maybe worth discussing having the appropriate testing to determine the cause of your symptoms.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

I have seen a specialist who suggested the stimulation angiogram,but I am very scared so he decided to wait and try Cardizem which had terrible side effects. Still trying to get in touch with him !

[Deeb1764]

I am super sensitive to medication and took 3 goes to sort a heart med for the time being . It is trial and error but worth it if it helps. It took six medications for my autoimmune conditions and tht was a Rocky road but stuck to my guns that I needed treatment and I had to keep trying. I stop Really quickly if I know it’s affecting me I don’t muck around and call my doctors to let them know and they go down their list to try the next one!

Good luck 😉

[Maltise in reply to Deeb1764]

Thanks . I know I am very sensitive . Unfortunately my cardiologist told me 2 days ago that it is up to me to decide if I want to try again Cardizem . She had only a small dose of Inderal for palpitations and tachycardia to offer and stressed that it was up to me if I wanted to try ! Very frustrating!