Coping With Pericarditis

This section is a place to share stories about Coping With Pericarditis

Below are entries of those who have already shared their stories. We hope that you find their experiences helpful to your own situation.

You may also Help others by sharing your story.

To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download
Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar.

recurrent pericarditis
by: MH on Mon, Dec 29 2008

In Oct. of 2004 I was diagnosed with a large pericardial effusion. Within a month of having 400cc of fluid removed with a needle, it came back. The Drs. then performed surgery to put a permanent percardial window in to prevent future effusions. I was diagnosed with “idiopathic pericarditis”. I have had shortness of breath and occasional chest pain ever since this happened.

In April of 2008 I started having severe episodes of recurrent pericarditis This has now been going on for 9 months. I have tried aspirin, Naproxen, Motrin, Colchicine, Celebrex, and injections of Toradol. Nothing has kept these flare-ups from happening. My cardiologist gave me a mega-dose of steroids 2 weeks ago and after 4 days I started having chest pain that gets worse when I inhale with a sharp pain in my shoulder.

The side effects from the steroids has been terrible and I don’t want to take anymore, especially if they only help for a few days. This has been an ongoing nightmare that I wish could be solved. Has anyone else had a similar experience and if so how was it resolved?

Comment on this

Comments

Fri, Dec 18 2009
Hi Kmarie, Yes, it was suggested that there may be an underlying autoimmune disease, which I was tested thoroughly for. I seemed to have markers poin...Read
Thu, Dec 17 2009
I found a interesting article on pericarditis its shot but informative. www.rjmatthewsmd.com/Definitions/acute_vi_pericarditis.htm...Read
Thu, Dec 17 2009
Shahia and Dacoon57- The 'prescription rollercoaster' is a nightmare! I feel so helpless when the inflammation occurs, I will take whatever they tell...Read
Wed, Dec 16 2009
Back at you Shahia I was on the prednisone from Jan 76 till about 1980. I was discharged on a medical in Aug 1977 and I was on 60mg a day. It to...Read
Wed, Dec 16 2009
Hi Dacoon57, You've really got some (unfortunate) experience with this condition! How long were you on prednisone? I would avoid going back on any ste...Read

December 2008

recurrent pericarditis - by MH - (Mon, Dec 29 2008)
In Oct. of 2004 I was diagnosed with a large pericardial effusion. Within a month of having 400cc of fluid removed with a needle, it came back. [more..]
kevina mom - by Dianna - (Fri, Dec 26 2008)
kevin contracted a virus in oct of 2007. He came home from work not feeling well and went to bed monday morning. Tues. he went to the local ER. with chest pain and coughing gray matter. [more..]

Archives:

2010 January
2009 July August September October December
2008 January February April August October December
2007 May June July August October November December

The submissions from our site visitors do not reflect the opinion of Healthcommunities.com, Inc. (HC). The Content of HC's sites is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. HC does not provide medical advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you've read on an HC website. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider regarding any medical question or condition. (See also: Website Disclaimer)

Shared

Forum Topics

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

Coping With Pericarditis

Most Popular

Recommended

Shared

Forum Topics

Specialties