After stopping my Losartan 24 hours before my appointment at Odstock Hospital’s Cardiology Clinic, in Salisbury, in order to start Entresto, the treatment was sadly unavailable because high demand for the drug from the manufacturers, meant the course of tablets were not in stock.
I then took my Losartan again until I was contacted by the Clinic to say the Entresto had been delivered and I could now go on the Entresto pills. However, because I had reverted to Losartan, I had to wait another 24 hours before I could collect them and begin the 3 to 4 week trial.
Whether this was the cause of my feeling so unwell initially, I do not know, but the first 5/6 days were dreadful.
First 5/6 days
Had a severe headache, was almost continually dizzy, looked pale and lifeless. I had a runny nose with an on and off dry cough and ached in the small of my back. My chest felt as if somebody was standing on it. I was tired and continually felt sick, with vomiting and diarrhoea often rearing their ugly heads. It was like being kicked in the goolies and seemed like my guts had dropped out through my feet. I was wobbly and weak with some characteristic symptoms of how I felt before I had the pacemaker fitted, and post lacunar stroke, post heart surgery. I was totally knackered but hanging in for the long run. The build up of fluid in my nose, and I presume lungs, made sleeping difficult, so I was miserable and depressed. It could not honestly have been worse. It could only get better.
After 6/7 days
Vomiting eased, chest and back pain slightly less but still felt light headed and dizzy, almost faint at times. Still had runny nose and headache. Not feeling myself at all still, but coughing nearly over. Still weak and tired but colour coming back.
After 13/14 days
Energy level risen. Could walk further than for ages without having to stop for breath. Feeling positive with less headache and back pain. Sleeping better but still feeling odd and not fully balanced. No vomiting or coughing and chest pain much lighter. On a very positive side, the stinging and numbness I had been getting in my face virtually every other day since my last stroke, have both disappeared. A huge relief but a coincidence?
After 20/21 days
Cut the grass and did some weeding, so far more full of life. Unfortunately I still felt sick and had diarrhoea. Great news, no return of old stroke symptoms and headaches almost disappeared, so I was not waiting in fear of another stroke. Walked to the village (quarter of a mile) and up the hill without feeling breathless, so that’s brilliant news. Couldn’t get rid of the light headed sensation which is very similar to how I was before the pacemaker. My feet continued to seem spongy and as if they did not belong to me. Strange and a little disturbing. Sleeping a lot better and nose no longer running, so not waking up trying to catch my breath. All looks positive indeed.
After 22 days
Still feeling odd, wobbly, dizzy and light headed a lot of the time. I have more energy but I wonder if a lower dose of the Entresto might suit me better. When I started my other heart drugs, I had similar problems with the highest doses, which I could not take without bad side effects. Very pleased my past recurring stroke symptoms have disappeared, hopefully for good. I am able to do far more for much longer, without having to catch my breath, so how terrific is that? I only hope the side effects which are quite unpleasant, do go away.