hi all. After 11 months, many, many ambulance rides, x rays and ECG’s, and specialists telling me that my heart is fine, I was starting to believe that I am a hypochondriac.
Thankfully one less cynical doctor put me forward for a heart stress test, and I’ve now been formally diagnosed with Angina. I’ve tried Isosorbide and it gave me terrible headaches. What’s your experience of meds?
Isosorbide mononitrate is one of the drugs that is prescribed for angina and unfortunately has a side effect of headaches. In the short time I took it for wrongly diagnosed angina it gave me a headache for sure. However for some the headaches go after the body gets used to it. I suggest you persevere with it for for a couple of weeks or so to see if the headaches subside and then decide if you need to give it some more time, whether you are going to live with it, or whether you need to have a chat with your GP who may be able to prescribe an alternative such as Nicorandil, although that too comes with side effects including headaches as I found out .
Hi. Thanks very much for that. I was on Isosorbide for 3 months & the headaches actually got worse, so I’ll try the Nicorandil. Must say I’m disappointed to learn that it also causes headaches.
Sorry you've got angina but glad you finally got a diagnosis.
I'm disappointed to learn that about Nicorandil but also that you've had that experience on Isosorbide.
I'm on day 6 of isosorbide and I'm not sure I can bring myself to take another one the headaches are so bad.
To be fair, today's headache hasn't been as bad as every other day but even on paracetamol I've been unable to function after a couple of hours of taking it because of a banging head.
Cardiologist made me promise to stick it out for 7 days and I'll do that but was hoping there would be an alternative if the headaches don't stop.
Hi I take 30mg of Isosorbide and the headaches were bad and lasted for two weeks then went away. I have been taking it for nearly a year now and no problem.
That’s good. I’m glad it has worked for you. I’m very reluctant to try it again though.
That’s a coincidence. A ‘banging’ headache is exactly the same term I used to describe it. I hope yours goes away, but if not the helpful folk on here have shown that there are plenty of alternatives. Good luck.
Angina is one of those conditions that conveniently vanishes when you are with a doctor! I've had several years of being told 'its not your heart' (although plenty 'wrong' with my heart) before someone finally acknowledged it is probably small vessel angina. I take isosorbide mononitrate (60 mgs) and have no ill effects, but I understand it can cause bad headaches. I also take Ranolazine (375mgs x 2 daily) which really does help. Episodes much less frequent on this regime. I do have episodes of angina, which occur at rest, and are painful - but at least I know what the pain is and can manage it. If it gets worse or changes I'll call for help.
Angina however is pain. Chest pain. Has anyone talked to you about lifestyle? Pain is the body's way of warning you something is not quite right - so maybe a talk with a GP might be a good idea now that you have a diagnosis?
Thanks very much for that. I’ll ask about Ranolazine and have a lifestyle discussion. This and my arthritis is telling me that I have a serious problem with inflammation. The ironic thing is that I lead a quite healthy lifestyle. I can’t help but think that Covid has had a hand in this.
Hi I had a similar experience to you my Stress test was done ‘ to humour me’ I got the impression ! They said my symptoms were indigestion then decided it was muscular Skeletal! . Once microvascular angina was found at the stress test I was given Isosorbide it kicked off my cluster headache/ migraines. My neurologist confirmed it would do just that and suggested Alpha blockers with a rider they would do the same only not as bad! He also said you don’t get used to them as suggested.
I now take Diltiazem and Ranexa with baby aspirin they work well for me with an occasional GTN spray which gives me a head ache but is short lived so I use it sparingly.
Good luck finding something to relieve your symptoms ☺️
Wow. That mirrors my experience precisely. One cardio specialist said the pain was skeletal, another suggested it was ‘mental’ (I assume she meant hypochondria but I was so disgusted by her I didn’t even ask). I really pushed for the stress test after waiting for a CT scan, which after 6 months they said probably wouldn’t show anything anyway! I’ll ask about those drugs you mention. Thankyou.
I had very severe headaches when my GP put me on Nikarandal so bad I stopped them almost straight away. When I saw my consultant he put me on Isosorbide Mononitrate twice a day and I have been able to tolerate them with no problem. I'm also on Ranexa 500mg morning and 750mg nightime but still get angina if I over exert or rush about.
Do you think that the Ranexa enables you to tolerate the Isosorbide? Or are they unrelated.
I've been on 60mg isosorbide for 6 years. After the initial headaches I was fine. Recently angina increased and I had nicorandil added. Headache continuous for couple of weeks. Now OK. I have unstable angina so don't know if that makes a difference.
Hi.I was prescribed Isosobride gave me crushing headaches so I stopped after 2 weeks.Nicorandil caused the same debilitating headaches .I wasn't offered any alternatives.
Hi. That’s not good. Others here are suggesting that these are available. Worth asking
Diltiazem and Ranexa
Ranolazine
it’s not easy because many do give you a headache. Some are better. It’s a trying thing. Blood pressures med do the same thing. Sometimes it goes away after a week. But tell your doctor. And if you are allergic to anything that’s also a factor .
Thanks. I saw the doctor yesterday and they tell me that it’s the specialist who has to prescribe these meds. Waiting for him to finish his highly paid private work now so he can turn his attention to an NHS oldie. 😁 I hope it’s the good stuff!
Hello,I have lived with a rare difficult to diagnose and treat type of angina for 11 years.
I was originally told I couldn't have angina or a heart attack until I had a specialised angiogram to confirm that my coronary arteries go into transient constrictions, causing angina.
I acknowledge your frustrations about your symptoms being dismissed by professionals.
I had a challenge to get my diagnosis and access the care I need.
I take 120mgs of Isosorbide mononitrate a daily along with 20mgs of GTN patches.
I am on lots of other medications too.
The 'nitrate' head is a common side effect of taking Isosorbide mononitrate.
It can take 2 weeks before the headache improves.
Drinking plenty of water and paracetamol can help. Check with a Pharmacist whether paracetamol is suitable for you.
We are all individuals and respond to medications differently.
A good starting point is an accurate diagnosis and seeing a knowledgeable Cardiologist who listens.
It may help keeping a log of your symptoms and how you respond to the medication you are prescribed.
Have you been referred to a Chest pain clinic?
A CT angiogram can be offered to see if you have any permanent blockages of your coronary arteries.
Obstructive coronary artery disease is usually the most common cause of angina.
The BHF has this information about angina.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hi. Thanks for that. It sounds as though you have it really bad. Afgernthe chest pain clinic I was offered a CT scan and angiogram, but then after I pestered them to ask when the CT was happening they chose a stress test as the waiting list was shorter.
Just hoping I can get some meds that help. Thanks for the link.
After being told by my GP that the pain in my chest that I had had for 12 months was just Arthritis, I was diagnosed as having Stable Angina when on a cruise. That resulted in a vast change to my medication. My list is as follows, 50 mg Amitriptyline, Aspirin 75 mg dispersible,Atenol 25mg 2 x day, Atorvastatin 1/day,Lansoprazole 15 mg 1/day,Isosorbide mononitrate 40 mg, 1 in am and 1, 8 hours later, plus GTN spray as and when needed. After being refered to our local Angina Management Group, I was shown how angina is caused and how it can be treated by two lady Heart Surgeons. They, in conjunction with my NEW GP, sorted my medication out and put my and my wifes fears away. The above medication has only caused me to lose my ballance,I have never had a problem with headaches, but I do have a problem with constipation, which I am assured is caused by me taking 50 mg of Tramadol 2x / day and up to 8 / day when my arthritic spondulosis in my spine kicks in. The loss of ballance is a problem, especially when using stairs, but with patience and my walking stick I have not yet fallen.
I hope that this shows other angina sufferers, that they can hopefully find a combination of medication that doesn't cause them any problems.
bludnut
I hope there’s a support group here as good as yours seems to have been.
Hi, thanks for getting back to me, unfortunately as far as I know,there are only four of these courses in the country, why this is I have no idea.The course which included my wife, was so beneficial for both of us. We both were told all about my angina and how to control it and look after myself. I am now on a one year break from the course, basically to see how much I have controlled the angina, and whether I will need any further intervention.
