Diltiazem side effects

[Franchincense]

Hi, I am in trouble with this Diltiazem slow release 120mg, 2times a day. It has been given to me by Cardiologist, together Isosorbide mononitrate 30 mg. I have Coronary Artery Disease 50 to 76% on LAD and around 50% in the others. I have high blood pressure ,Right Bundle Branch Block and Mitral Valve Regurgitation. I am very tired, breathless and I have pain in the chest during the day and during the night. At the first angiogram they said the level of cholesterol in my arteries is not so high to cause my severe pain in the chest and breathlessness. They said it might be esophagus spasm . It is true that I have IBS and I cannot use the statins and I am allergic to some medication, but I don't believe it's esophagus spasm, because I had endoscopy and they didn't find anything. My actual problem is the fact that Diltiazem gave more trouble, spasm in my upper body muscles and in my calves, blocked my colon and give me a very bad chest tightness, breathlessness and spasm in my colon. I know is Diltiazem because my symptoms of blocked colon, muscle spasm and chest tightness dissapeared and the breathlessness eased. Does anybody knows anything about this problem

[Tos92]

If you feel the Diltiazem is causing your symptoms, I would recommend getting in touch with your GP ASAP so you can have this reviewed.

Let us know how you get on.

Tos

[Threecats]

Hi Franchincense,

I’m sorry to hear all you have got going on there, it must be very worrying for you. I have AF and was prescribed Diltiazem as I was having trouble with beta-blockers. Unfortunately, it caused me severe heartburn and triggered asthma after meals. I’ve had mild, exercise-induced asthma for years that’s never really bothered me but this was a major exacerbation and on one occasion I thought I might have to call 999 as I’ve never had an asthma attack that bad before . It took a good couple of weeks from stopping the drug before things returned to normal. I thought that meant calcium channel blockers were out for me but I’ve been prescribed Verapamil instead ( standard release) and I seem to be fine with that.

I hope you’re able to find a way forward with your GP.