Worried

[Dunandjam]

I was due to have a polyp removed on the day of surgery (4 Jan) I attended for day surgery but the anaesthetist wasn't happy that I had only been diagnosed with angina by my GP. My GP had referred me to cardiology around the middle of 2022, but due to long waiting lists I had not seen a cardiologist; however I became a category 2 and attended for my angiogram 30 Apr 2023. My arteries were found to be clear (I was expecting that to be the case as I had done some research). I was only getting the angina when I was resting and I suspected it might be microvascular or vasospastic angina). Anyway the consultant prescribed Isosorbide mononitrate 25mg slow release tablets one to be taken each morning, he said it could be one of two things (presumably what I have just mentioned) and that the treatment was the same for both? He was in a hurry and very busy but in retrospect I wish I had questioned him further at the time.

I've now been diagnosed on 2 Jun with squamous cell anal cancer (since finally having the said polyp removed 19 May). Treatment will involve chemo and radiotherapy as there are still cancer cells left but fortunately I had PET CT scan and it has not spread yet!

I have been getting very anxious waiting for treatment to start and have had 3 nasty angina attacks in the past week. I was liasing with one of the nurses and told her about this and asked her if she could give me a guideline as to when treatment might commence.

She told me that I should see the oncologist between 21 and 26 Aug and a treatment plan appointment will be held same day. Treatment will not commence until at least 2 weeks after. She advised me to get in touch with my cardiologist as soon as possible, and to let him know that I have been diagnosed with cancer and try and get an appointment to see him as I don't want the chemo put off like the removal of the polyp was put off for 6mths.

I just wondered if anybody on this group has experienced anything like this and what the outcome was.

Apologies for such a long post!🙁

[Loobycare]

Hello there. It is a worrying time and having to wait so long for appointments exacerbates the anxiety. I'm not surprised your angina is acting up.Have you seen your GP at all? Maybe he can prescribe something to help to keep you calm while you wait. I don't know - I'm not medically qualified - just a human reaching out. Take care.

[Dunandjam in reply to Loobycare]

Hi Loobycare, I haven’t contacted GP yet I’ll give it some thought thanks. It is a worrying time x

[jeanjeannie50]

I had a squamous cell cancer removed from my thigh a few years ago. They managed to remove it all and I didn't need any follow up procedures. I was diagnosed one week and it was removed the next. Keep getting basal cell carcinomas now, must have had about 15 removed over the years.

Hope all goes well for you and treatment is quick.

Jean

[Dunandjam in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for sharing your experience with me and I wish you well

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis of cancer.

There can be issues about chemotherapy if you have vasospastic angina.

While microvascular and vasospastic are both types of ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA the causes and treatment options are different. The Cardiologist's response to you perhaps reflects their lack of knowledge about microvascular and vasospastic angina.

I suggest you contact your Cardiologist and ask to be referred to a Cardio Oncologist.

This is a new area of Cardiology.

Here are some examples of Cardio oncology centres in London.

uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/fi...

rbht.nhs.uk/our-services/he...

The British Cardiovascular Society has this information.

bc-os.org/

If your Cardiologist drags their feet, I suggest you raise your concerns about a lack of an appropriate diagnosis with the Patient Advisory Liaison Service PALS of the hospital and ask to be seen by a more sympathetic and knowledgeable Cardiologist.

I hope you are able to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Emotional, mental or physical stress are certainly triggers for those of us living with microvascular or vasospastic angina.

[Dunandjam in reply to Milkfairy]

Dear Milkfairy, thanks for your excellent suggestions which I shall investigate. I have used PALS before and they were very helpful. Thanks so much and I will let you know how things progress.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Dunandjam]

I wish you luck, please do say how you get on.

[Dunandjam in reply to Milkfairy]

Will do thanks so much x

[Penoir53]

Oh gosh that will definitely be stressing you. Waiting is very hard. I wish you every luck. The GP is a really good start as they can same-day contact Cardiology or Cardio-Oncology and you'd be surprised just how quickly things can work if cancer is involved (at least in Northumbria). Oncology work very simultaneously with Cardio anyway these days. I'm under a Cardio Oncology specialist at the Freeman after chemo 15 years ago. Either Oncology will refer you or the gp. It's a lot you are going through. I'm so sorry. Big hugs x

[Dunandjam in reply to Penoir53]

Thanks Penoir53 I've been pursuing the cardiologist via his secretary and he is confident I will be OK. I've done some research on BHF and there is a list of chemo drugs called anthracycline which can cause heart problems and the names are listed but they not one of the ones I was led to believe will be used on me. I could do without all the extra worry for sure but thanks for caring and replying. I will contact GP next week to cover all safety angles.Big hugs back to you xx

[Penoir53 in reply to Dunandjam]

We become experts v v quickly but they take excellent care of you and they are concerned for protection against heart muscle damage I think. You may read between the lines that I was (successfully thank goodness) treated for cancer (breast). It was 15 years ago and I'm still here fighting the good fight 'heartily'. I walk 10k steps a day.. and moan a lot! This forum is super good. Grab all the help on offer. I also saw a cancer psychologist for a while once the dust settled. So helpful. Wishing you love and luck xx

[Dunandjam in reply to Penoir53]

well done you for beating it and being so positive! I’m keeping fit too and eating healthily and I’m a moaner as well. Will keep you posted xxx

[Penoir53 in reply to Dunandjam]

Moaning is a key processor...😉😊x