Doggydaycare

[Doggyday]

I have been diagnosed with angina,on loads of medications awaiting further tests.I have had palpitations before but today I can only say I had something completely different.I can only describe it as a feeling like my whole body had stopped working,it started from my neck down and felt like my heart was being squeezed.Such a strange feeling,so hard to describe I'm not doing it well.It only lasted seconds but left me shaken,weak and scared,i didn't use my spray as it wasn't painful,but came on so suddenly I'm almost scared to move.I must sound very dramatic,sorry for that when everyone here goes through so much,i just wondered if anyone else ever felt this way,.Thank you so much for reading this,take care everyone.

[Tos92]

I also used to have heart palpitations and a high heart rate before being diagnosed with coronary artery spasms. When I have a spasm, I feel as though my heart is being squeezed. I feel this sensation in the middle of my chest, under my left breastbone, in my jaw and arms. However, mine are accompanied with pain and I note that yours aren’t. It is a frightening experience, and it leaves me feeling anxious and fatigued every time.

What type of tests are you waiting on?

Has vasospastic and microvascular angina been ruled out?

Have you got a confirmed diagnosis of unstable angina now?

Tos

[Doggyday in reply to Tos92]

Thank you for replying,it sounds so similar to what I had but no not really pain like I have with angina.I was diagnosed with unstable angina but couldn't have an angiogram as I am really allergic to dye they use,they said I'd have to have a nuclear stress test instead and could be a months wait,that was five nearly six months ago!!How do you deal with your attacks if you don't mind me asking?Do you take medication for it,they have put me on so much medication I rattle, I'm sure I don't actually need it all.Thanks again for replying.

[Tos92 in reply to Doggyday]

It depends how long they last. Sometimes they are very quick, and pass as quickly as they come on. Sometimes they are longer, or I’ll have clusters of them. I immediately stop what I’m doing and go and find a safe place to sit or lie down. I check my pulse rate and take my GTN spray if necessary. I do not always take my spray during a spasm however, you should only follow your doctors advice regarding how and when to take your medication for your angina. I’m also on a calcium channel blocker. Currently trialling Tildiem. Was previously on Verapamil. I have been trialling meds on and off to find the right combo for me.

I hope you are having more luck than me when it comes to controlling your angina on medication.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

Have you been able to be referred to a Cardiologist who can carry out the appropriate testing to determine whether your myocardial bridge is causing your symptoms yet ?

[Tos92 in reply to Milkfairy]

I have already responded to this on a previous post that you have asked me about:

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

You seem to have been waiting for a referral for a quite a long time.

I really hope you are able to get an accurate diagnosis as it can be such an validation to know why you are having your symptoms.

[Tos92 in reply to Milkfairy]

There was a mix up where I was referred to the wrong hospital by my GP. So I will be waiting another 7 months to 1 year I’ve been told to be seen on the NHS if my referral is successful/accepted.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

That's awful, I am really sorry to hear that this has happened to you.

Have you considered asking your local Healthwatch to help you raise a complaint about having to wait so long?

[Golf1985 in reply to Tos92]

This is a great way of explaining spasms,this is how I get them and struggle daily

[Doggyday]

Honestly think that the hospital were I was diagnosed threw every medication they could at me,have ended up with nine,even the pharmacist where I collect them questioned it.I think I get more side effects from tablets than anything else but I keep taking them as I like to think they know best.Do hope you keep well,your answer has helped a lot.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Doggyday]

How have you been diagnosed with angina?

[Cat715]

You maybe should go back to your gp to check if you need all the medications especially since your pharmacist questioned it. You may need them all but best to check. Hope you get the help you need soon.

[Jezza_H]

Have you considered trying cyclodextrins, specifically Remchol... the company is reporting some significant success stories: check out Cavadex (Remchol) Users Facebook page.

[HUModerator Administrator in reply to Jezza_H]

Hi all, just a reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your medication or advising others to do the same, without speaking to a health professional first. Many thanks.

[Jezza_H in reply to HUModerator]

Hi HUModerator, thanks. I have started Remchol and temporarily stopped my statins for three months in consultation with my GP. I wasn't advising others to do the same without consulting a health professional.

I was asking them if they had considered cyclodextrins. This means that they could research it and then have a conversation with their GP and/or cardiologist about trying it.

It would be the same as saying "hey, have you considered statins ?" from my point of view.

[Doggyday]

Went to Emergency room and they diagnosed unstable angina.I will go back to GP about medication thank you Cat715 and I'll certainly look into Remchol Jezza,thank you all for your replies,keep well and take care.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Doggyday]

The BHF has this information about angina.bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Have you been referred to the Rapid Chest Pain Clinic or a Cardiologist?

The most common cause of angina is due to the permanent blockages of plaque lining the coronary arteries.

Usually a person is offered a CT angiogram to see if a person has obstructive coronary artery disease.

Over 11 years ago I was admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack and unstable angina. I was treated with an IV infusion of GTN.

I came home with my big bag of pills too!

However mine were prescribed by a Consultant Cardiologist after my diagnosis of vasospastic angina was confirmed following a specialised angiogram.

I suggest you discuss your medication with your GP or a member of the Cardiology team.

[Bunkular]

I haven't been given any diagnosis at all regarding my "attacks" other than the Palpitations that I'm plagued with go through weeks long periods every year when they ramp up to debilitatingly frequent & severe. I've had two episodes of something else which sound similar to your attacks but in my case all 4 limbs go to extreme pins and needles as if oxygen has been cut off, I sweat like a sumo, my head goes faint & there's nausea and if I don't lie down quickly I know I'll faint. Doc then had me wear a Holter Monitor for a whole week but all it caught were the severe ectopics. Doc added Metoprolol to my perindopril but I live in fear if I will have another one of those episodes. I'm thinking they are vasospastic angina because the 2 have occurred in the wee hours of the AM but I don't know. BTW emergency room doc for the first episode told me I had a panic attack but after the 2nd one the specialist said it wasn't just panic. So I am really in the dark.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am sorry you are feeling so bewildered.

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 11 years. I was at first told I was having a panic attack or I had anxiety.

My Cardiologist has seen me several times while I am having a severe episode of coronary vasospasms, which I feel has lead him to be very empathetic and supportive to me.

My coronary vasospasms feel like being in labour in my heart.

I have central chest which radiates through to my upper back. It feels like a cheese wire cutting through my upper rib cage.

I feel as though I can't breathe in. I feel sick and light headed.

These episodes usually happen when I am at rest, especially in the night.

I go completely pale.

These episodes of crescending chest pain can last up to an hour.

At this point I go into hospital. I have just spent 10 days in hospital. I usually have dynamic ECG changes and small rises in my troponin blood levels.

I am admitted once or twice a year.

Vasospastic angina is notoriously very painful. Usually relieved by GTN spray but made worse by beta blockers.

It can be difficult to diagnose as it's difficult to catch the ECG changes that occur when a transient constriction of the coronary arteries takes place.

The most accurate way to diagnose vasospastic angina is by an angiogram when a chemical is injected in the coronary arteries to see if it stimulates coronary artery vasospasms.

This is how my vasospastic angina was confirmed.

I suggest you keep a log of your symptoms and see if you can spot any triggers for your episodes.

Common ones are the cold, emotional, mental or physical stress.

My latest admission was due to a sudden drop in air pressure due to storm Cairán. My husband says I am a himan barometer.

The BHF has this information about vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

I hope you are able to get the answers you need sooner rather than later.

[Doggyday]

Thank you so much for all your replies,I am so sorry you are suffering so badly,I was almost scared to move today and the dog missed out on his walk for fear of it happening again,no way to live though!!I am very allergic to any sort of dye,so can't have normal angiogram that's why I am waiting for nuclear stress test and waiting and waiting and waiting!!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Doggyday]

My dog is a very important part of maintaining my physical and mental well being.I am taken for a walk every day by my dog.

Hopefully, once you know what's causing your symptoms and you receive the correct treatment you will be able to regain your confidence.

[Shabana1974]

Yes I have had those experiences without pain, my cardiology nurse said its important to take your spray if it happens again. I guess we are lucky not to suffer the pain. But it often leaves you wondering did that just happen.

Hope you feel better soon

[Doggyday]

What a beautiful dog Milk fairy,they are such a brilliant way of keeping fit,I promised my baby I would stop being silly and take him out tomorrow God willing.Yes that's exactly how I felt Shabana,did that really happen or am I so worried about my condition I had an anxiety attack,but it felt so different from them as I've had those in the past.I will take my spray with me,but reluctant to use it unless I have to,may just be me but it gives me the worst headache,better than the alternative though.Hope you keep well both and take care.

[cappachina]

I also am highly allergic to the dye used I went into complete anaphyilactic shock the first timeI had it 20byears ago Took 2 weeks to recover but they treated me with 2 anti allergies drugs last year before the test and then 4 months a TAVI to replace the aortic valve and I had no reaction at all so it is possible. I was a nervous wreck mind I was more worried about the dye than the op

[Doggyday]

Hi cappachina,I got InTouch with hospital today to see if they could use same sort of treatment as you had with anti allergic drugs,the cardiologist wasn't available,but I left a message with his secretary,so hopefully hear back,thank you so much for that information,hope you are keeping well,allergic reactions can be so scary.