Another ambulance ride

[Hrty]

Ho hum, woke up this morning around 4:30am. Went for wee and by time I got back into bed had quite bad chest and upper back pain as well as into forearms.Followed procedure with gtn spray but pain not subsiding. Ambulance arrived very quickly. Usual checks done and because of history taken in for more tests.

Straight into RAT bay. ECG, BP and initial blood taken and canula inserted. Pain subsided a bit but still there. Been given morphine and some anti-nausea drug through canula and had chest xray

All very quick so far but now waiting starts. At least relatively comfortable on a trolley.

I should be getting loyalty points at this rate.

[Valentina98]

Hey

Hope it's not a long wait and nothing serious

V x

[Hrty in reply to Valentina98]

All very quick for initial tests. Now waiting on blood test I suppose and to see Dr.

[Hrty]

Frustrating more than anything. 3 weeks ago all was well with my recovery. I almost wish the tests would show something that would help get to the bottom of why this has all started.

[Tos92]

I’m sorry you’re back at the hospital again. Hopefully the morphine helps with the pain, as awful as it may make you feel.

Have you already been investigated for ischaemia?

[Hrty in reply to Tos92]

Not sure, seen something mentioned somewhere on previous discharge notes.

[Tos92 in reply to Hrty]

Ischaemia causes angina. I’m just wondering if this is what’s causing your frequent trips to the hospital.

What is your current medication regime?

[Hrty in reply to Tos92]

Telmisartan 80mg, Felodipine 5mg, Clopidigrel 75mg, Isosorbide 60mg, Aspirin 75mg, Famotldine 20mg and Atorvastatin 40mg2nd trop has come back slightly raised at 21 so A&E Drs are nagging cardiology to get involved

[Tos92 in reply to Hrty]

Well, you are on a fairly long list of medications. I wonder how much they are helping if you are coming back to A&E so often.

Is this your result from your second troponin today?

[Hrty in reply to Tos92]

Yup, from 2nd test today. All a bit frustrating

[Tos92 in reply to Hrty]

I hope they keep you in for monitoring. Have they said what the normal range for your troponin should be?

[Hrty in reply to Tos92]

Not really, another question to ask. Just been moved to AAU (acute assessment unit). Been here before, probably should qualify for frequent flyer awards.

[Tos92 in reply to Hrty]

I think you qualify for perhaps every type of reward/loyalty programme going. I’m sure they’ll all know you by name soon.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am sorry to read this post you must certainly get loyalty points by now I agree and pleased you are managing to hang on to your sense of humour

I am hoping everything will be alright and please as I know you will keep us updated how you are getting on x

[Hrty in reply to BeKind28-]

I really need to get a chest wax done. Lost a few hairs when the nurse ripped off the ecg tabs the paramedics used. She did ask if I wanted to do it myself but I'd put my big boy pants on this morning so let her do it.

[BeKind28- in reply to Hrty]

Hello

If you keep trying to get loyalty points and paying them a visit you will end up with a free chest wax by the NHS

Glad you remembered to put your big boy pants on x

[Yumz199725]

Aw mate so sorry to hear. Did the right thing calling hope your ok is it busy hope your not waiting too long for results x

[Hrty in reply to Yumz199725]

To be fair, they are moving pretty quickly. I actually followed the chest pain protocol the hospital gave me after my NSTEMI this time. Ambulance turned up quickly and straight in for assessment. 1st result has come back with trop at 16, waiting on result from 2nd. Had quite a few ecgs as well. Should be moved to ward soon to wait on cardiology to decide next steps. Whilst not seeming overly concerned, well outwardly anyway, about current results sounds like his pushing cardiology for action as he says there is obviously something ongoing. Glad it was nothing too sinister when the paramedics arrived. Couple of heaviky built chaps I wouldn't fancy pummeling my chest 🙃

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Hello I am sorry to hear you are back in hospital.

As you know I am a frequent flyer too. The staff know me well!

I, however have an Admission protocol so the A&E staff always call the Cardiology Team to see me and then I am admitted.

I suggest you to ask to see the Cardiology team. Be prepared to advocate for yourself and be insistent that you are seen by a Cardiologist.

[Hrty in reply to Milkfairy]

I've called for the cavalry. Wife is here now and wants to be here next time Dr comes round.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Excellent!I have the advantage of being able to email my Cardiologist.

Once I had to do this when I was having problems in A& E.

He answered within 10 minutes.

Cardiology Reg at my bed 10 mins later!

[Hrty in reply to Milkfairy]

Just been told I'm being transferred to CCU (coronary care unit) as soon as transfer team are back from their current job.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hrty]

Aw mate so sorry to hear. Good they keeping a good eye on you can't be too careful and better to be safe then sorry. Hope you don't have to be in too long. I was in CCU for 2 weeks 🙈. Take care mate and keep us all updated.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Good to hear.I hope you now get some answers about what's going on.Good luck!

[Yumz199725 in reply to Milkfairy]

Wow that's cool. Sorry to impose on your convo with hrty but that's really good that you can email your consultant. I can email a nurse help line and have a special number for emergencies so I will definitely call that next time I have any issues sending me to A&E. I aslo thought of taking a hospital letter explaining my heart problems and copies of my ecgs which I wasn't aware was quite odd looking.Hope your keeping well.

[Lezzers in reply to Yumz199725]

Always a good idea to keep a copy of your last ECG with you. Hopefully you won't have to visit A&E again but should you have to then the hospital/paramedics/dr's etc will immediately be able to see if there's any change if you're given another ECG. We've had to call the paramedics out a few times this year & each time they've asked if we have a copy of a previous ECG, which fortunately we have had xx

[Yumz199725 in reply to Lezzers]

Aww that's good I guess it speeds things along which is brilliant when it's super busy. It's good to be prepared would of saved myself a very long night 😅. I've only ever had one and that wasn't helpful it was taken when I was very ill 3 years ago resting heart rate was 106! Hope you and hubby are well how's swelling xx

[Lezzers in reply to Yumz199725]

Swelling all good thank you. Hasn't got any cooler here unfortunately. Hope you're coping ok with the heat, I've had enough of it now 🤣 xx

[Yumz199725 in reply to Lezzers]

Aw that's good. Yeah same it's unbearable been sweating so much! 😭🥵😅😂. I've really had enough of it sleeping is a night mare.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Lezzers]

Xx

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Yumz199725]

I have as my Cardiologist says usually severe vasospastic angina.He has seen me several times during really severe episodes.

I have an agreed careplan, it guides the staff how to care for me.

This might be something you could discuss with your Cardiologist as well as having a letter explaining your heart condition.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Milkfairy]

That's a good point thanks hun x i will definitely ask about this at my next check up in January.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hrty]

Aww you poor thing glad they taking it seriously honestly oh so tropinin levels were a bit elevated so they keeping you in then. Keep us updated mate. Hope it's nothing serious x

[Bloodredroses]

feel better soon .😍

[Yumz199725]

How's everything going are you in CCU now?? How's your pain x

[Hrty in reply to Yumz199725]

Still in CCU. They have suggested another drug to prevent angina, trouble is i can't remember name atm. They were suggesting take that and then go home but have dug our heels in so will be given drug and monitored overnight pending seeing cardiologist on morning rounds. Ready for a fight as it's all very well saying my bloods, ecgs etc aren't showing any concerns but not really explaining why I get the pain. I've had some liquid paracetamol via canula which helped a bit bit been a bit uncomfortable most of the day.I am scared to do much in case it triggers another attack and each one seems more intense than the last in spite of increased ISMN and taking spray this morning. I don't wont to keep coming to hospital and just want to get back to where I was 3 weeks ago. Barely been out the house other than trips up here.

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hrty]

Aww mate glad you stood your ground wish I had the guts to do that! Hope your feeling better by the morning sleep well (best as you can in hospital with all the noise) 😉. You have another medication to add to the list aswell. Please keep us updated with how your feeling and hope you get to see and speak to cardiologist mate. Take care. 👍😊

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Has anyone considered unstable angina? I am given IV GTN and morphine when my angina becomes unstable.

I am also prescribed nicorandil and a calcium channel blocker along with isosorbide mononitrate to help relax my blood vessels.

You do need to stick to your guns. I live with a rare form of angina. My coronary arteries are unblocked but go into transient contrictions causing a lack of blood supply to my heart.

It took me sometime to get a diagnosis.

The staff often under estimate the impact of living with pain and angina on our mental well being.

[Hrty in reply to Milkfairy]

It's Nicorandil they have just given me, oh and a heparin injection which is now stinging a bit

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Heparin is routine. I always have Heparin, when I am in hospital, it has to be given very slowly.

I let the student nurses practice on me.

[Hrty in reply to Milkfairy]

Nurse was very good, didn't feel it go in. Only stung a bit shortly after, apparently its the viscosity of it (ie a bit thicker)

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hrty]

Yup, that's why it has to be given slowly.

[Crystal614]

All the best to you Hrty. Hope they sort you out and get to the bottom of what is going on.

[Hrty in reply to Crystal614]

Me too, I know it can take a bit of trial and error to get the drug dosages and combinations right but what I don't understand is why it was all ok until 3 weeks ago. Milkfairy summed it up well, they may be the experts but until you are a patient you won't understand the mental and physical impact this has on you and your loved ones.

[cappachina]

Sorry to hear all this Keep digging your heels in for a nswers Hop you are soon sorted

[Yumz199725]

Have a good night Hrty and keep us all update on what the cardiologist says take care mate.

[Westie2012]

Hope you can get some answers instead of being sent home again , knowing it will probably be just a matter of time before you have an other episode of chest pain and end up back in hospital .