Microvascular angina drugs

[Caradomben]

I was started on isosorbide mononitrate 10 mgs twice a day and diltiziem retard 90mgs twice a day for Microvascular angina. Been on them 7 days and the headaches do not seem to be getting better. Feels like neuralgic pain on one side of my head. Be grateful any feedback for these drugs and symptoms ,

[Hidden]

hi I’ve had both these meds and neither worked for my issue but headaches were a side effect I definitely had. They didn’t subside for me but I was always advised need to give meds at least two weeks as side effects can subside. So still a chance may subside. Good luck hope they work for you and get easier. 👍

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,I am sorry you are suffering from the ' nitrate head' .

It can take upto 2 weeks, sometimes longer, for the headaches due to isosorbide mononitrate to subside.

I suggest you drink plenty of water. Check with your Pharmacist about which pain relieving medication are best for you.

Paracetamol can help.

I take the highest doses of both isosorbide mononitrate and Diltiazem without any problems.

Another thought.

Many patients living with microvascular or vasospastic angina have a presumed diagnosis of exclusion.

I was assumed originally to have microvascular dysfunction causing my chestpain.

After specialist testing I was diagnosed with vasospastic angina.

I also experience neurological symptoms with my coronary vasospasms and Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Perhaps ask your Cardiologist if you can have the appropriate testing to see if you have microvascular or vasospastic angina.

It's important as the treatment options are different.

A routine angiogram will not be able to say whether you have microvascular or vasospastic angina for certain.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Crystal614 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy, just to let you know my cardiologist has been in touch with me and they are going to start me on nitrate patches. I have an appointment next month to do a review.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Crystal614]

I hope they help.I put mine on in the evening to help with my chest pain in the night.

[Crystal614 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm thinking of doing something similar. I take slow release isosorbide mononitrate as well and I am thinking of using the patch much later on in the day as a start then see how I go.

[Shoefairy in reply to Milkfairy]

I was put on IM 20 morning 20 afternoon My headache was so bad I lived on pain relief for6 months Even after reduction it continued Got a doctor to find me a slow release tablet and after a week my pain stopped I too got told it would stop All the best

[Crystal614]

Hi, I also take isosorbide mononitrate for MVA, it took a good 2 months for the headaches to completely subside. I spoke with a pharmacist, it is a common side effect of the drug and he told me the headaches would improve and they did, it just took longer than I thought it would.

[Shoefairy in reply to Crystal614]

Hallo I was on the same but 40 mg The headaches were so bad After 6 months I saw my doc and told him I couldn’t stand the pain any longer He put me on a slow release and after a week my headaches went Been on them 5 years

[Hidden]

Hi I'm on isorobide Mononitrate. It took two weeks and a few tears I've got to say. The headaches were like nothing I'd experienced before. But after 14 days they disappeared. I hate having to be on Isorobide, but I am for the most part chest pain free and able to walk without stopping.

[Dunandjam]

Hi Caradomben,

I was prescribed mononitrate isosorbide 25mg slow release 3 weeks ago. I did experience some headache issues during the first couple of weeks but now in my third week all seems to be well and no angina so far.

Hope this helps

Linda 😀

[Sleesa]

Hi.I have spasms of the arteries and was first put on Isosorbide and Diltiazem.

The headaches were relentless and intense.

I've also found the gtn spray and gtn infusion causes horrific pain for me. Thankfully I only use or need those occasionally.

Some people cope with the Isosorbide pain or it eases off after a while.

If it doesn't try speaking to your Cardiologist and requesting an alternative. There are others available.

I am on Nicorandil and Renexa. Both or just one could be an option.

Don't feel like you have to stick with it. I tried for months and didn't need to. Eventually mine were changed and I was better within a week.

[Caradomben in reply to Sleesa]

thank you for your reply . I ll give the cardiologist a call after the holiday x

[Sleesa]

Also, definitely get checked to see which type of angina you have.Mines down as Angina on some paperwork and microvascular on others. Then when I was in hospital last time they said spasms. Frankly even I'm confused.

All I know is the meds I'm on work.

I do get several neurological issues and noone seems to know why.

Something I'll be asking my Cardiologist about next time I speak to her.

It's best to question it just to be sure.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sleesa]

Hi Sleesa,

I have a confirmed diagnosis of vasospastic angina following an angiogram with acetylcholine.

With my coronary vasospasms, I experience neurological symptoms.

Ice pick head ache, sensitivity to light and sound. The left side of my face and arm goes numb.

My Neurologist says it because I am having vasospasms in the blood vessels in my brain.

There is a study taking place iCorMicA, perhaps ask your Cardiologist about the study.

It's about how best to diagnose microvascular and vasospastic angina.

clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...

[Sleesa in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you. I'll give it a read and speak to my cardiologist. They did an angiogram with pressure test and I have never felt so much pain as I felt when they put the IV drip through. He sort of just made a 'hmmm' noise and said that it made sense. They did say I had some microvascular damage. Hence my confusion as a Cardiologist on a ward said Spasms.

[Sleesa in reply to Sleesa]

I get dizziness and pins and needles. I sometimes feel like I'm foggy too...like I can't think straight.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sleesa]

Snap!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sleesa]

I am not surprised you're confused.

Coronary vasospasms are not the same as microvascular dysfunction.

The treatment options are different.

I had ST elevations and lots of chest pain when they used the acetylcholine. I was given morphine.

[Sleesa in reply to Milkfairy]

Interesting that you get those symptoms too. I will definitely speak to my cardiologist about this. Thank you for your replies.