Well after my hospital stay and urgent referral for angiogram at end of March,i got a call yesterday from hospital to come in on Tuesday.Trying not to think about it too much but even managed to have nightmares about it last night🥺
Think i will definitely be asking for sedative beforehand.
Jules x
Hi, that's great you'll be getting the angiogram done and I really hope it all goes well and smoothly and is over before you know it. Maybe plan a special treat for Wednesday, then you'll have something to distract yourself thinking about, if you have something nice to look forward to. That's no good about the nightmares, they're so horrible and feel so real, I hate having nightmares too. Thinking of you and sending very best wishes ❤️
Hello 
You may not quite see it this way but it is good news you are getting it done
Now no one is more than a wreck like I am seriously and the first attempt they ever tried failed before they even got me in the room
But then I went back again I had some sedation they all knew I was anxious and I suggest you don't hold back in telling them if you are , the Nurses were great with me holding my hand talking to me and before I knew it I was done and to be honest I had mine in my wrist and other than a little feeling of pressure which was literally nothing I bang my arm worse and it hurts more than that feeling of pressure I felt when having the angiogram done
So if I can do it honestly anyone can and you will to
Try not to worry easier said than done I know but after you will think why did I get myself in such a state I wished I hadn't
Good Luck and let us know how you get on x
Its my memories of last time that worry me. My cousin who is ward manager in cardiac care has assured me a non-emergency angiogram is a lot less traumatic as they are taking their time.Jules x
Hello
I see so you had a bad experience and now it is playing on your mind which for most it would but if it was an emergency one last time it is true they have to get on with it as quick as possible this been a non emergency one they do take their time and will have more time to support you to
Listen to your Cousin she is right in what she says
Tell them about your last experience and how afraid you feel now if they know they will be supportive in making this a better experience for you x
Hi Jules2021
I was temporarily sedated for the procedure and it was over with fairly quickly. They went through my wrist and struggled due to my pulse being very feeble. However, the groin is also an option. I did feel them puncture my vein, where there was some discomfort but when the wire was in, it was fine.
My tips are try and keep calm and not over-think the procedure. Often, these tests are a lot less worse than what we think.
Let us know how you get on.
All the best.
Tos x
Thanks. My problem is first time i had one was an emergency as i had 100%blockage in LAD. Rushed in and between the elephant sitting on my chest and not being able to breathe,they were obviously in a rush and therefore not so gentle. I have been assured this time will be much more relaxed....Jules x
Hello,
I have had several angiograms.
They usually use the artery in your wrist, radial artery, as it is safer.
The groin femoral artery was used more commonly in the past.
I had mine through the femoral artery when I had mine done 10 years ago.
The worst part was having to be on bed rest afterwards. I am sorry it's not humanly possible to pee into a bed pan , flat on your back. I ran to the toilet as soon as I could.
You'll avoid this a they will probably use your wrist artery.
Do tell the staff how anxious you are feeling. They will give you something to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed if necessary.
I couldn't be sedated because they were testing for coronary vasospasms. I was given morphine when I got chest pain though.
I felt very safe, there were 8 members of staff in the room. Every single one of them introduced themselves to me before the procedure started.
Do make sure you go to the toilet before you go to the cath lab.
Good luck and I hope all goes well with your angiogram.
I had sedation and can’t remember anything until I heard Cardiologist say okay it’s all done
hi Jules 2021
Don’t worry- you can definitely ask for a sedative. Before I had my angiogram I was just as nervous as am sure you’re feeling. If it helps, go onto my profile to see my posts and I wrote a long one about having my angiogram from start to finish… honestly I shouldn’t have been so worried. Hope it all goes well.
Best wishes
Sarah
Hi. I just want to try and reassure you the angiogram sounds worse then it is. I was very nervous before having one but I was reassured and spoken to through out the procedure and this was very comforting at the time. It was no where near the experience I thought it would be. 🤞 Good luck hope all goes well.
Hi, I’ve got an angiogram booked for Thursday, so I know where you’re coming from! I’m sure it will be a smooth procedure for both of us - I keep telling myself that anyway! All the best to you, TC
Morning, seriously do not get wound up over an angiogram. I’ve had one and its more uncomfortable than anything else but over very quick. Its not painful I can assure you.
I didn’t have sedation. The annoying part to me was the nurses kept coming to get me to sign a consent form twice and a doctor once. I got a bit annoyed about that as did not experience anything of that nature with my following OHS some months later.
You will seriously be fine with this test.
You can ask for a sedative. I don't know if you can have headphones and music. I know I did with my last angiography, but that was they didn't want me to hear what was being said as it was part of the trial and they obviously didn't want me to know whether I had a stent or not. I just noticed a bit of tugging at one point, but nothing to uncomfortable. Good luck Tuesday
I've had two; the first immediately after a heart attack when two stents were fitted; second a few weeks later to check on t wo other blockages they saw. I had sedation . First one was really easy; no worries at all; just a massive bruise up my arm; yet when I went back I was an emotional wreck. The nurses said they are used to it. The second one was actually 100% easier than the first. I had sedation both times and didn't feel a thing. I was in recovery eating toast half an hour after it and home 2 hours later. The only thing I'd say is the Cath lab is really cold and the trolley you lie on is rock hard. I was just annoyed that they wouldn't let me watch the screens. You need to have someone collect you afterwards as you're not allowed to drive.
Thank you! Yes my first was immediately after heart attack and i think thats what has me traumatized cos it was all so rushed. Will def ask for sedation and try to stay chilled about it Jules x
I couldn't figure out why the first hadn't bothered me at all yet I was panic stricken about the second. It just didn't make sense but the nurses said that often happened because you just don't have time to worry about the first one. I'm not sure I'd even understood what they were going to do the first time. Don't worry, the nurses have seen it all many times. With the second one I didn't even have a pin prick mark where the needle went in and no bruising at all. Even sedated I was fully awake and wanted to watch, I just didn't care and had a lovely nurse asking me questions to distract me.
Have you had a pre- procedure assessment? If not and you are taking aspirin I would certainly be checking with the angio team to find out if there was a need to temporarily stop taking it prior to your procedure.
That is an excellent point! I recently had a colonoscopy, and in the pre-procedure interview, they asked me to stop taking my low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) for five days before the procedure. I had to check with my GP before I could stop for the 5 days.
On the other hand, for my cataract surgery, I did not have to stop the low-dose aspirin except for the day of surgery.
They asked me on the phone what tablets i am on and they didnt say anything about stopping it so im assuming its ok. The letter they emailex mentioned warfarin,epixaban etc.Jules
That's fine . The requirement to stop an anti-coagulant or anti-platelet prior to angiogram seems to vary according to where you have it done. I was told to stop aspirin two days before my routine angiogram last year as a far as I can remember. My general experience is any procedure where you might be subject to bleeding you will be asked to stop for a few days prior to the procedure, and that includes my upcoming tooth extraction 😱.
Oh good luck with that. Not overly fond of the dentist myself...all comes from my dislike of needles lol
Hello Jules2021,
I can totally relate to what you are saying, I just had an Angiogram on Thursday. I had managed to work myself up into quite a state beforehand, I started panicking when I went into theatre. When the Doctor told me he couldn't do it if I didn't calm down I knew I had to sort myself out. I certainly didn't want to come back again! The silly thing is that I have also had one before, years ago and it didn't bother me half as much.
Anyway, it was over in minutes, the staff were fantastic. I did have sedation, but was aware of what was happening as they did the procedure. There was no pain and I was out back on the ward before I knew it.
I know that it's easy for me to say, but please try not to worry and try and think of it as a necessary part of your treatment.
All the best,
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