I'm not yet diagnosed but doctors assume I have a form of angina. I've been very unwell for past four months with chest pains, breathlessness, neck, jaw and collar bone pains. Also have pains in my calfs at times and a tightness in my throat. I then feel ill for ages after each attack. So should be having an ecg stress test and lung function test next week to hopefully get to bottom of it all.
Until 4months ago I was able to walk miles and was very active. But now I can bearly walk 30steps at slow pace before I have chest pains etc. I'm terrified of going out on my own. Doctors seem baffled. Also find the smallest of chores a struggle. is walking in particular a symptom of angina for anyone else?
I am on Imdur for my angina and also use a nitro spray. Also take meds for HBP and my problems went don't Hill since being on blood pressure tablets. Just wondered if there is hope that the distance I can walk will actually improve??
Hi there Gracey. Just a thought but check all your pills 💊 and read the leaflet as some can cause chest pains,my GP changed some of mine and although I still get chest pain it's not so bad,I have problems walking but mine is more COPD but still get chest pain if I push myself to hard so its a slow walk 🚶 anywhere,pain in your calf could be bad circulation that's what I was told.x
Hi Peter thanks for your reply. I tried hard to get the doctors to consider it might be the tablets, but they won't have it! Suppose all will become clear once I have the tests....it's the not knowing which is driving me mad. Just wish I could walk about without the chest pain. Yeah, I suppose circulation could be an issue. I had to slow down not only because of chest pains, but had vertigo for three months. Can't wait to work on my stamina. Anyway, wish you the best of luck x
You have the classical symptoms of angina. I do not think the doctors are baffled - they are just waiting for the result of tests which will tell them how to treat you.
Angina is extremely common - so health systems are geared up to treat it. The aim will be stop your pain and improve your mobility. It is extrely unlikely that they will not be able to help you a great deal.
I had angina 19 years ago and the drug I have been taking has made me almost symptom free for all this time.
Does the GTN (spray under the tongue ) get rid of the pain at all ? If you know you are going to go out walking, exercising, working in the garden etc etc you might like to try having one spray under the tongue 5 minutes before doing anything physical. Your pattern seems to fit stable angina, the tests will confirm once you have them done.
Also as stated the medication you are on for blood pressure may not be at the right dose for you or it's simply just not the right one for you, doctors usually have to chop and change blood pressure medications for this reason.
Thanks old boy I believe you are right that the doctors do probably know. You have made me very hopeful that I will be able to get back some normality with correct diagnosis and treatment.
The gtn spray does help. I'm on an angina tablet too called Imdur but soon to be changed because it's stopped working. I will give using the spray before I do chores etc a try and see how I get on. Thanks for the tip!
I've changed blood pressure medications four times. I was very unwell and was hospitalised with one of them. My blood pressure is finally more stable so I'm really pleased. I don't get the pains all over my body anymore, it felt a bit like vein pain.
Thanks so much for advice, take care and all the best
Hi again, do you think I will be ok to carry on my job full time? My job requires me to walk around a lot and rush around in a supportive role. It's a demanding role and I hope I can get back to it or make adjustments to the hours if they let me. I feel debilitated at the moment so haven't been back to work yet. I'm not sure how angina affects most people and their ability to continue as normal.
It's like the nitrate spray but in tablet form so lasts 24hrs. But doesn't really stop all my chest pains I still have to use my spray a lot of the time. The spray top up doesn't always work so I end up in A&E.
Grace. I have had Micro Vascular Angina for a couple of years. I have been in and out of hospital over almost three years. Somedays I can walk 900 metres other days I know I cant and font even try. Good luck. At least you have these tests coming up to give you some answers.
Hi Triple. I really can't wait to have my tests done, I feel more anxious for not knowing. I think from all I have read that I may have the same condition as yourself. Like you sometimes I know I shouldn't even try to walk.
Are you on nitrate tablets? Does your medication help you out a lot? Anyway thanks and good luck as well
Only you can answer that. You know how much you can do without getting pain, and you know how much you need to do in your job. Do not feel pressurised to return to work. Do not feel guilty. Only return when you think you can cope.
How other people manage depends on how severe their angina is, what treatment they have received and what their job involves. My angina has been well controlled by diltiazem ( Adizam) and I am retired so I have not have felt restricted (and never used my GTN spray). After 19 years my angina has recently got much worse - so I have been referred to a specialist again.
Im on nitrates, ivabradine, i take eight tablets in the morning and 7 at night. Some are Twice daily tablets. Learn to know your body take small steps. Take each day and learn to pace yourself.
I'm learning fast and know now when to take things a bit more easy. I understand that people become used to nitrate tablets and so they can lose thier affect. I can see my tablets being increased as they don't currently help me enough, and I use my spray way too often. Hope you don't mind me saying that you seem to be on a lot of medication. But the main thing is that you can function without pain. I haven't been able to get back to work yet, hopefully will be able to once I have diagnosis and correct medication. Thanks for the advice!
That's the problem I do feel guilty. But also feel worried I won't be to return. I'm 49 so doubt I would get another job if I left. Work has sent me twice to see occupational health team, not sure how they can help as I don't yet have a diagnosis! But you are right, I would be foolish to go back too soon so hope doctors will continue to support my time off until I am stabilised.
My medication was changed from Imdur to minimol recently but I still feel unstable. Just can't wait for my ECG stress test this week, just hope they tell me the result straight away.
All the best to you and pleased you are doing well.