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Coping With Pericarditis

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recurrent pericarditis
by: MH on Mon, Dec 29 2008
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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?
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Comments
  1. Thu, Jun 18 2009
    Wow! I just joined this forum and are happy to have found your story. I hope you are still checking and can tell more about how YOU are doing. Mayb...Read
  2. Thu, Feb 05 2009
    i dealed with this for about for about six to eights months, you might want to talk to your heart doctor about getting a window. i dont know how to ...Read
  3. Thu, Jan 15 2009
    This seems to be the most recent posting area - I just found this site - and in reading through all the posts, I have lots of company, and still reall...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..]

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