L&S,
I've lived w/ chest pain for two years, trying different methods to manage it.
Heart meds called an "ACE-Inhibitor" and an antihypertensive called "Eplerenone" are helping me. I used to take nitrates daily. I only need them weekly now, if that.
Walking daily helps. I find that if I don't exercise, then I feel worse. My cardio has instructed me to walk, rest for a few minutes if I feel angina, then resume walking. I also stretch.
But to get to where I am today took trial and error, discipline, hope and a great cardio. The Cleveland Clinic started me on the right path towards regaining my health.
The bottomline is not to lose hope. The CCF doc is right on the mark: your husband needs intensive medical therapy and with time, he'll begin to feel better. I'm living proof.
I hope you're taking care of yourself, too.
Blessings,
C
Thx 4 reply. He has never smoked or drank. His only meds are Actos, Metformim, Amaryl for diabetes, Propo-n/APA 600/100 for degenerative arthritis of spine, Nexium to counteract Propo affects on stomach, Advicor 500/20 and Zeita for cholestrol and one 321 mg Aspirin to counteract flushing caused by Advicor. No heart meds at all. 3 docs have ruled out GERD. He fails stress tests and a cath shows OK, he passes stress tests and then a cath will show 80-90% blockage. The last stress, cath, and Pet scan were done after receiving 6-9 shots of morphine, a nitro drip and Hepron IV. After all of the blood thinner and pain shots he always feels pretty good for a few weeks and then the pressure starts and he starts having the angina. He exists now by having a day job where he can rest and take his nitro. If he lays down for an hour or two after work he can then work a few hours on our farm. He's given up hunting and fishing and most of the things he enjoys. We know that heat, cold, emotional upset, heavy meals, working above his head, strenuous walking will all bring on spells. After every procedure he feels worse. We're in a cycle his chest pain is worse so his blood sugar goes up which causes additional stress plus he has plantar fischa fibromatosis on both feet that need surgery which is causing further back pain. He can't have surgery on feet because of chest pain and high blood sugar. I just want my husband back where he can work and enjoy life again.