General Medical issues thread

[Pushka]

We had chicken pox going through the primary school where I taught, at the same time as I had a dose of shingles. I wondered, at the time, if my shingles might have started the chicken pox, or chicken pox kicked off my shingles or all pure coincidence?

A can get chicken pox from B who has active Shingles

B can't get Shingles from A who has chicken pox

Ooops. Seems you started the party then.

 

[drron]

You will know I have been complaining about cardiac vasospasm (also called prinzmetal) which for me seems to be a side affect of chemo. We've seen a small artery (circumflex) in spasm during an angiogram. It started with ear ache when I went for a walk as the tell tale and breathlessness etc. and progressed over time to full crushing chest pain. Last year this was happening 3-5 times a night in the early morning when I was asleep. This is now mostly under control taking a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, but I can now count on one when I get up at dawn to use the bathroom. I have a wee, splash some water on my face and then somewhere between the en-suite and bed it starts. Because the ensuite temp is colder than the bedroom I put on slippers and a beanie. I've modified my activity in the bathroom and no longer bend down when I splash water on my face, to now not splashing water but simply wetting 2 fingers and wiping them across my eyes, but still the pain starts before I reach the bed. I am thinking now it could be as simple as the temperature of the water on my eyelids. So, that is my next experiment, warm water. Hope this might help someone else who develops something similar that medicos cannot diagnose.

Coronary artery spasm is most common overnight and early morning. A simple nitroglycerin patch overnight is one answer.
Sometimes changing your Ca blocker can be the answer. We all have different metabolic pathways.

 

[prozac]

Coronary artery spasm is most common overnight and early morning. ...

Thanks @drron
Typical broad patient symptoms.
1. Late night - early mornings
2. Usually at rest is a tell tale symptom for sufferers.
3. Change in ambient temperature e.g. Going from warm room to outside where it is cold. This happens to me when I go outside to get firewood and I get angina before I do anything at all. That I can then cut firewood indicates heart blockage is not causing the angina. I can get same sometimes mowing the lawn. Pull the cord, angina starts. Start pushing the mower and it subsides after 30-60 seconds.
4. Breathlessness on minimal exertion sometimes for no particular reason. Left ear ache is my tell-tale pre-spasm.
5. I always have Nitrolingual spray ("Start you cough" - car fanatics will know what this is. Just my name for it) in my pocket and on the bedside table where it is handy should the pain start.

I am unsure if I want to wear a patch as it could mask blockage and is dosing even when not required. My cardiologist suggested a year ago I play around with the Amplodipine dose so I might need an extra half tablet. My 12 month appointment is coming around so will discuss then.

 

[Quickstatus]

I am unsure if I want to wear a patch as it could mask blockage

If a small patch relieves the symptoms then it might be a good idea. If you developed a true blockage the patch won't mask the symptoms.

That's why the recommendation for the spray is to go to hospital if the spray does not work.

 

[prozac]

If a small patch relieves the symptoms then it might be a good idea. If you developed a true blockage the patch won't mask the symptoms.

That's why the recommendation for the spray is to go to hospital if the spray does not work.

Thanks QS. The spray does settle it in a few minutes & I will ask the cardiologist @drron at next visit.