Can coughing irritate a new stent & how bad should chest pain be before I use GTN?

[bee_bear]

Hello, I've got couple of questions - I know pain is subjective but thought I'd ask anyway!

It's about 6wks since my HA & stent.

The first few weeks after leaving hospital were tricky, with a few random severe pain events that had me whisked into hospital, despite my protestations, and are now being investigated (potentially microvascular angina/cardiac syndrome X) .

Despite not feeling like I have a cold or chest infection, the past few days I've had coughing fits whenever I've laid my head down or a coughing fit has woken me up.

Today I'm getting chest pain similar to the pain I had when I first got the stent fitted. It's not there constantly, just hits me every now and then and lasts for a few minutes before easing.

I've not used my GTN spray for a couple of weeks but I've come close to using it a few times today but I managed to ride it out till the pain subsided.

Just wondering how bad the chest pain should be before using the GTN and if coughing can irritate a new stent?

I'm resistant to telling anyone about this at home or 111 because they'll just say get to a&e. I won't take a big risk with this but I think I'll know if I'm having another heart attack. I don't feel unwell or tired but if I do or the pain gets worse, I'll fess up at home and go to a&e. I'll def call the docs in the morning.

Thanks

[BeKind28-]

Hello

If you think about it before having stents if we get a bad cough and are coughing a lot then are chest starts to hurt so having had stents I would imagine that area may still be delicate so coughing would irritate it but that is just my opinion

The GTN spray if you feel you need it as every ones pain threshold is different then take it there are no medals trying to go without and hopefully it will make a difference at least then when you speak to your Doctor you can give them feedback if it helped or not as no doubt they will ask the question did you try it

I hope you feel better soon

Let us know how you get on x

[bee_bear in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks, that’s great advice. I’m only just now realising that I’m in denial still that any of this is happening!

I’ll be sure to use the gtn spray next time without delay.

🙂

[BeKind28- in reply to bee_bear]

Hello

That can sometimes be a thing we all feel been in denial

I am not sure if thinking this way makes us feel we can cope or what but give it a try it could be just the thing you need to help and will be worth it x

[bee_bear in reply to BeKind28-]

Really appreciate your replies, thank you. It’s a strange old business that’s for sure.

I wish you well 🙂

[BeKind28- in reply to bee_bear]

x

[Hidden]

Hello I don’t have advice on use of GTN spray or the chest pain but perhaps try using more pillows in bed so you are propped up a bit. This can help with coughs at night. Just a practical thing you could try but if persistent as your calling doc anyway, hope they can help.

[bee_bear in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I tried it and it helped a bit for sure.

[BridBoy]

Just use the spray......while you have the pain your heart is complaining to you that everything isn't quite right......use the spray, get those arteries opened up and take the strain off your heart.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to BridBoy]

I’m entirely with BridBoy! Consultant told me take a spray when I get angina It’s a sign your heart is under strain, and its not good for it to strain. ‘Riding it out’ was not advised.

[bee_bear in reply to Kristin1812]

Argh that’s so true. They said that to me too but I’m just not thinking like that yet. I need to get it into my thick head and just take the spray when it hurts!

[bee_bear in reply to BridBoy]

thank you, you’re so right. I think I need to get my head out the sand and just accept that this is my life now and just use the blooming spray if my chest hurts.

[BridBoy in reply to bee_bear]

Also use the spray before participating in strenuous activities that you know will induce your angina.

When I was first diagnosed with angina I used the spray quite a lot.....but changes in lifestyle (diet, exercise, weight loss) meant that within a year or two I hardly ever used it.

[bee_bear in reply to BridBoy]

I wouldn't have considered doing that but it makes total sense. I'll need to be disciplined so I don't start using it to push my self further than I'm actually ready for 😅

[momander]

HiI think.youve answered your own question a wee bit. I would not ignore any kind of chest pain . 111 if DR surgery closed or 999 if really bad. I've had 3 heart attacks , 2 stents and a double cabg in January. Please don't ignore any pain in the chest area. It could be nothing at all but best ro have it checked out. Good luck

[bee_bear in reply to momander]

I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all that. It’s a sober lesson for a numpty like me not to ignore this stuff anymore. Thank you. And I wish you well.

[Qualipop]

Are you taking Ramipril? It's well know for causing a dry cough.

[bee_bear in reply to Qualipop]

Yes! I learned about this yesterday! Never occurred to me it could be a side effect. I reckon it must be that.

If it doesn’t calm down soon I’m going to see about getting swapped to something else. I’ve already had to swap from amlodipine because it gave me the internal shakes (so strange) & heavy legs. So hopefully there’s a third option or I’ll just have to choose which I can live with.

[Sleesa in reply to bee_bear]

I came off Ramipril and changed from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin. Ramipril made me cough and Atorvastatin made me have internal tremors. The rosuvastatin still makes me tremble but my GP told me to take every other day as my cholesterol isn't bad. It's a precaution.

Amlodipine made me feel unwell so I had to stop it. No alternative was given.

I think I was a little like you in that I didn't want to have to use the gym spray but it's true what others have said. You quickly start to realise you should take it when needed.

I was given oramorph to take prn as I have microvascular and typical angina. The pain can be excruciating sometimes. I've had several hospital stays just because of that.

Every time they've done the tests and my heart is ok. Definitely go if it doesn't get better with spray though!!!

My doc said that some of the pain is because I'm working in rebuilding new pathways for my blood to flow due to exercise.