concerns using nitro patch and spray

[shooter1005]

As brief as can be history   I am writing this out of concern for my husband
Male age 54  heart attack 1 year 4 months ago  right side arteries blockages had 3 stents inserted, there was some percentage blockage on left side but not enough for surgery.  Has family history of heart disease from mother and father side
Been on cholesterol and blood pressure meds for 10 years
after heart attack he was Put on plavax for 1 year, asprin daily  cholesterol meds, blood pressure meds, Metoprolol and given nitro spray for use as needed

Ever since heart attack in Oct 2013 health has never been close to feeling as good as prior to heart attack
Always been dealing with chest pain off and on gone to emerg 3 times since heart attack with minimal resolve, and have had regular followup visit with cardiologist.  Have had various heart test  EKG, medically induced stress test, echo cardiogram with nothing out of ordinary found
Gets hot and cold sweating episodes off and on, nausea and vomiting, dizziness  all seems to go in episodes fine for a week or two then all the above symptoms seem to reappear for a week or two  been off and on like this since in recovery stages
2 weeks ago after cardiologist followup appt has been prescribed .02 mg/hour nitro patch to wear 12 hours a day
This immediately has helped with all symptoms but now have new problems
Feeling good well wearing patch but gets tightness in chest not long after patch is removed then in the morning upon waking has even more chest tightness
This pass week even well patch is on chest tightness get more dominate and has also used nitro spray sparingly
the last 2 nights he is awaken with chest tightness and pain takes a nitro spray and gets relief.
I am concern with using the nitro spray in addition to the patch but it does help.
yesterday patch was worn for 12 hours used spray once during the day patch was removed at 830pm
within 4 hours (12:30am) of removing patch had the tightness with pain used spray was ok, then was awaken at 3am with the same issues used spray again and got better.  Then again awaken at 530am same issues a shot of spray and ok. each episode pain seemed to be worse
Awoke at 8 am some tightness put on patch tightness subsided but nausea and vomiting has returned

It appears to me that the nitro is definitely helping but seeming to be needed 24/7   I also concerned that this is perhaps an onset to another heart attack, as with the 1st heart attack it seemed after the fact of us knowing that had had a heart attack, for 3 days leading up to it the signs were there we just were not aware of them.
He is a man and is stuborn I have asked him to call the cardiologist he just says lets just wait and see, I am also tyring to get him to go to emerg but as i said a stubborn man
Wondering perhaps if i can get some knowledge from this posting that would help me convince him if needed to get to a hospital before it is too late
I thank you for your professional advise and knowledge

[Billyoneeye]

I once had the same problem and finally found out that plavix and aspirin can cause this to happen, I stopped the plavix and within two weeks was near back to a near normal life check with your doctor on this.
People have had sever side effects from plavix and even death.
Bill

[shooter1005]

Yes i do agree with ed too !   Will note of anymore info as becomes avail, looking forward to what doc will say to us when we call on Tues.
Thank you all for your input i think that will head us in the right direction fingers crossed
Cheers

[shooter1005]

thank you so much for that suggestion  He did have a much better night and yesterday overall, Today the pain has subsided thankfully but the nausea and vomiting are persistant again this am.
As it is the weekend and monday is a stat  I will be contatcting the Cardio doc on Tues and put the suggestion out there of an angiogram.  
I do agree we will get some answers with that.

[Flycaster305]

Absolutely agree with Ed.

I've worn .6 nitro patches and also used the spray or .4 tabs when needed before, I'm sure that is the least of his problems except for the headache that probably comes.  Also, he might talk to his doctor about taking Imdur or the equivalent and also Ranexa which helps with angina symptoms.  Keep us informed.  

[ed34]

It sounds like he is in need of an angiogram. Something has worsened if he needs more and more nitrates.