viral pericarditis

Well my cardiologist appointment didn't go as I had hoped. The latest cardiac MRI showed that a little of the swelling on my pericardium and my heart has gone down, but my heart function hasn't gotten any better. The left ventricle is still ok, but swollen on the outside and the right ventricle is only functioning at about 50%. She said this is because the lining to the right ventricle is much thinner than the left so all the inflammation caused more damage to the right side of my heart. She said she was really hoping after the rounds of NSAIDS, prednisone and colchicine, that I would show little or no swelling and the damage would have healed. But it hasn't. She gave me two options, to either wait another month and see if there's somehow significant improvement or to be referred on to a cardiovascular specialist up at the local teaching hospital OHSU. She said that there was no one at her hospital specialized enough for what I need. We talked for a little and I told her that I didn't want to spend years getting better from this, I am a go getter. I'm also not a "sit-stiller" and told her that I'm only 30 and I want to LIVE my life, not sit around watching it happen. And yes I know we can still live and even live full lives, but I want more. We all do right? No pain, no restless nights worrying and in discomfort, no more people having to ask us how we're feeling or how we're holding up...yep that would be nice! So together my cardiologist and I made the decision to be more aggressive and I will be moving on to a new doctor. It was a bittersweet goodbye with my old cardio. as I was hoping I'd be healed when we said goodbye, but I thank her for knowing that I needed more than she could offer. Now I wait (again...) for the cardiovascular specialist to call and set up an appointment. It feels like starting all over again, but I know it's one step closer to being better. My dr told me they'd probably want to do a biopsy where they go through an artery in my neck to access my heart. To me that actually sounds better than getting back on a higher dose of the prednisone. I really didn't like that medicine. Of course I'm in what if's land again, just guessing what he'll want to do. Must focus on today.
@emmilou - I am so very grateful for my husband and all he's done for me truly! I know in my head that I shouldn't feel guilty about it, but my heart still hurts for him because he didn't choose this either and yet still has to go through it and watch me hurting. And exercise sounds GREAT! Or just being able to walk down to the park with my kids and not feel the pounding in my chest. I'm with ya there! I also started to count my good days and even kept track for a while with a journal but lost interest when I realized it was going to be a much longer battle than I thought. At this point, I'm just thankful that I do have so much going on in my life because it forces me to focus on other things. Life keeps on moving even when it feels like the world has stopped for us.

Aubreyanna I am sorry your docs appointment didn't bring the news you wanted but it sounds like you are moving onto more expert hands which has to be a positive step forward. I did the same with keeping a journal - and gave up when it looked like it was going to make a really depressing read!!! Your words - must focus on today - are true and powerful, there is no other way to handle this type of challenge.

Hello NanHelen, your symptoms sound very much like mine - and you also sound like you are from the UK? I have been referred to a cardiologist at the John Radcliff Hospital in Oxford. I was being treated at my local hospital before that but my GP suggested a greater level of expertese might be needed. I havent tried any natural supplements but I did spend £200 on accupuncture to no avail. My mum is nagging me to try homeopathy but I am reluctanct to spend any more money at the moment. Let me know if you here of any thing though as I do have an open mind to natural remedies.

I am new to Healing Well, and proud to have stumbled upon it.  I was really getting concerned, never having heard of anything like I was experiencing, and beginning to wonder if some alien had taken over my body.  I never know from day to day, what I will face until it gets going.  It all started with severe pains in one arm and shoulder, then both.  My blood pressure was crazy, mostly high (225/119), but also low (72/50), all over the place.  It was determined that I had a torn rotator cuff, two different kinds of arthritis, and inflammation.  After seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon and getting an injection, that got better, but then I started having pains in my chest, after two heart scans (one through my arm and the other through the groin [the longest and most painful that I have ever had. At 61, I’ve had a few]), I found out that I had a 60% blockage of my left main artery.  However, they could not do a stint and I almost went through bypass, but they put it off (?).  I also have angina at the lower part of my heart and some damage to the top of my heart.  Like most of you, I spent many hours in the ER, doctor’s office, and the hospital.  You guessed it . . . pericarditis.  My wife and I learned that it may have been what caused the inflammation in my arms and shoulders.  I got a new pain yesterday, my lower back.  I am about to loose my job (can’t hardly do anything without stirring up the pain) and I have already been out of work several weeks and maybe a couple of months.  I have already used all my vacation time, I can’t get disability, or draw unemployment,  and I have a big medical bill hanging.  My question for all of us is “where did we contract it?”  I work at the medical equipment company.  I am in and out of hospitals and homes of sick people delivering /picking up equipment such as beds, oxygen, and suction, etc.  I also clean and do maintainance on much of this equipment.  Are any of you in or around those types of environment?

To brojames and all,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  Glad you've found our online community. It’s a great place to connect with others traveling the same road...you'll find much support, encouragement and advice from others who understand.

Here is a link to Mayo Clinic that explains in layman's terms Pericarditis: Acute and Chronic.  I am going to include this at the top of the forum for you future reference.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pericarditis/DS00505/DSECTION=symptoms

 

diagnosed w/ pericarditis in April '14 - had an upper respiratory infection in Jan '14 (given a Zpak), then bronchitis in Feb '14 (given antibiotics for 10 days) - never felt better after the antibiotics - major fatigue, dry cough, chest pain/heaviness (just left of the breastbone) which increased when I would recline. Had an echocardiogram in April and while waiting for results had stabbing chest pains that sent me to the ER. Had additional fluid between the heart and the pericardium (but a small amount). Saw the cardiologist the next morning - placed on high dose of aspirin (2000 mg per day), plus Colcrys (Colchine) 0.6mg twice a day and Prilosec 20mg twice a day (to help offset the effect of the aspirin and Colcrys on the stomach) - the cough dissipated, but that was it, the fatigue was unbelievable (slept 18 hours a day) and chest heaviness continued as I was tapered off, symptoms continued. Had an endoscopy (when I was down to 325 mg of aspirin a day) and confirmed - NO celiac disease, NO stomach cancer and NO effects to stomach lining (I had lost over 10lbs in 3 weeks) - so back to the high dose of aspirin at 2000 mg - again symptoms did not get better. Was then placed on Prednisone 30mg in beginning of June '14 (aspirin was reduced to 325 mg) - still no relief, Prednisone increased to 60mg and after 5 days all the symptoms went away - (though there are many side effects to Prednisone - night sweats, ADHD, insomnia, mood swings, hair loss at scalp, hair growth at face, "moon" face, etc.) - in July '14 started the slow taper off of Prednisone (note - Vitamin D3 1000 units and Iron 325 mg were also added with the prednisone and the Colcrys was continued) and as of today, I have taken my last dose - physical activity was not allowed until July and started with only 5 minute walks a day, which gradually increased to 2 x day, then 10 minute walks, then 3 x day - formal PT introduced in the beginning of August (but extremely light PT) 3 x a week. The Colcrys is supposed to stop the Pericarditis from reoccurring (off label use of it, it is actually a medicine for gout) - and is being reduced to 1x day along with the Prilosec - I did not have any stomach issues, I believe due to the Prilosec. my last echo in August showed no additional fluid--- FYI - I do have Sjogren's Syndrome (dx in 2006), but Cardiologist stated there is no way to determine whether or not the Pericarditis was from the infections in Jan/Feb or from the Sjogrens. Outside of the fatigue from coming off prednisone and the increased physical activity, I have not had any symptoms from the Pericarditis - will provide additional posts as time goes on to advise if the success continues or (hopefully not) if symptoms return

Hi everyone,

Noticed a lot of people had different issues in the past. I was actually diagnosed with pericarditis almost 2 weeks ago. Originally thought it was Pnuemonia again. But did an EKG to be sure and said it sounded like pericarditis as well. Was prescribed 20mg prednisone and 800mg ibuprofen and as well as doxy cycline. After a few days I felt great and still do! But my girlfriend is still worried about me traveling on a plane trip for 2 hours. I haven't gotten to see a cardiologist yet for follow ups because of appointments booked and holiday season but wanted to know what others thought about plane trips?

She's freaking me out more and more and trying to search more. Had anyone asked about flying? Thanks in advance and hope everyone is feeling well.

Saw in my August 2014 post that I said I would give an update. In December 2014 I had another upper respiratory infection and on 12/31/14 (yep New Year's Eve) I had a echocardiogram which showed fluid - the pericarditis was back except I did not have any of the standard symptoms. As I was down to only taking 1baby aspirin a day, my doctor increased to 325 mg a day. By May 2015, I was back to just 1 baby aspirin a day. In December 2015, I had another echocardiogram and a stress test, both came back showing no indications of pericarditis. I have not gained back all of my stamina yet, but since September 2015 have added days back in the office (as of January 2016 will be back in 5 days a week) which with the commute has drained me a bit plus the holidays. Expectation is to be back to my normal self by end of Spring 2016. It has been a long road but all the credit to my doctor for finding the right mixed of medications and demanding a slow pace. FYI have not been ill since December 2014. Did receive a flu shot in September 2015.

I hope my posts are helpful.

Back with another episode. Was hoping to never again have to visit this board. Not sure if it is still active but let me know if you are out there, suffering with this awful disease, and want some support.