Hi Everyone
I just joined recently and have found this site to be very informative. I am going to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,Mn on April 28th for an evauation to have a pericardiectomy. I was diagnosed with pericarditis over 2 years ago and was put on 20 mg`s of prednisone at that time. I have had constant flare ups and have been very sick off and on. My cardioligist has drained the fluid 2 times now. Every time they try to taper me off prednisone I get a flare up and currently I am taking 10 mg prednisone. I am 49 years old and scared out of my mind about this surgery as I worry that I will die in surgery. I was wondering if anyone out there can tell me what I can expect to go through and the recovery time and some say you haft to go through rehab so what kind of rehab???? I am worrying myself sick about this and crying alot. Any stories, or comments or advice sure would help me a great deal and would be greatly appreciated. I love my husband and my family and I don`t want to leave them. My husband Paul keeps telling me I will be ok but only God knows that. My family is scared for me because I have other health problems to deal with besides this so I am wondering if surgery is really something that I should risk doing. I have constriction and my doctor tells me I will eventually have heart failure if I do not do the surgery and my question is how long does it take to get heart failure????
Would love to hear from anyone. My email is
[email protected] if anyone would like to email me or I will check back on this site.
Thank You
Debbie