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Crazychicken63 profile image
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HelloI've just been told I have angina. Not sure how I feel about it. Was a bit of a shock, as I thought my trouble was related to something else. I now have a plethora of pills to take. The headaches are too much, and the lethargy is crazy. Please tell me this feeling doesn't last!? 😶

I know my partner is as overwhelmed as I am. He is very worried about me and I keep trying to reassure him that everything is fine. But this is hard to do when all I want to do atm is curl up in a dark room and sleep!

I feel like this might be the best place to hear about other people's journeys with this condition.

Thanks ☺️

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Crazychicken63 profile image
Crazychicken63
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10 Replies
BridBoy profile image
BridBoy

I was told I had angina just over 10 years ago....like you I was shocked.

The first thing to get used to was the cocktail of medication I was given.....it did take a week or three to get used to them.

Key amongst them was the GTN spray, an amazing product, don't be frightened to use it.....at first it'll hit you like a ton of bricks when the you use it but after a while you'll get used to it. Using it takes a lot of pressure off your heart, I used to use it proactively.

When I was diagnosed people used to call me "Big John".....I was overweight, didn't exercise a lot and in all honesty I didn't have the best of diets.

The angina diagnosis gave me the wake up call I needed to get off my butt and exercise more and take better care of myself.

After a few months the angina symptoms rarely effected me.

It's not the bad news diagnosis you currently think it is.

Crazychicken63 profile image
Crazychicken63 in reply to BridBoy

Thanks. I appreciate the response. It has come right out of the blue, and on top of 2 quite serious chest infections this year, it's been an awful time.Glad you're doing ok. I'm sure I'll be fine once I've adjusted and hopefully these headaches/migraines subside quickly.

autumnlass profile image
autumnlass in reply to BridBoy

Thank you for your reassurance- your post was so positive and am grateful 🥲 to you as am so bewildered and scared by it all. 🙂

benjijen profile image
benjijen

Headaches go quite quickly. Tiredness not so much. You may need meds adjusting several times but give them a chance. Good luck.

mcbane profile image
mcbane

I know my experience might not directly apply to your situation but I had bad stenosis that caused angina. While I awaited surgery they put me on meds that caused lethargy. So consider the possibility that the meds, whether a good idea or not, may be part of the situation you are dealing with.

I’m still on those meds but I acclimated and, while I no longer feel lethargic, I still don’t have the energy I had several years ago. But I am happy to be alive:)

Crazychicken63 profile image
Crazychicken63 in reply to mcbane

Thankyou! It's been a shock to the system that's for sure! I'm the sort of person who always feels guilty if I'm not doing something, but I know I need to give things time and stop being so hard on myself.

Thanks for the reply, I hope you stay in good health. ☺️

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

along with what’s been said. Do confide in your partner so that he knows what is happening, otherwise he’ll think the worst and won’t be able to help you Don’t tiptoe around each other. Go for a nice walk together and talk it through.

Jules2021 profile image
Jules2021

Hi. The headaches from angina meds are usually a temporary side effect and stop within a few weeks. Good luck x

autumnlass profile image
autumnlass

Hello Crazychicken63

Like you I learned yesterday that I had angina. I had 2 episodes of breathlessness and yesterday had tight chest with it so went to see GP last evening. He prescribed GTN and aspirin and am to have blood test and ECG next week. I was shocked and surprised and he apologised for ‘alarming’ me bless him. I’m stilled 😧 as I eat healthy, but am overweight, but lost 8lbs as am on steroids for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I do not exercise enough though. I’ve also had an eye problem which has required surgery. Like you it’s been an awful time, but try to stay positive and will do whatever one can to readjust and make life worth living again! BridBoy’s post is very reassuring I thought. Take care. xx

Crazychicken63 profile image
Crazychicken63 in reply to autumnlass

It's been very reassuring to hear from other people. It's still a bit of a big shock at the moment. New meds, side effects to deal with and figuring out how to move forward. I'm a tough cookie and I don't give up easily ☺️I hope goes well for you, and you keep in good health.

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