I am 52, male with 30+ years of asthma treatment and now scheduled for pericardiectomy with Dr. Schaff at Mayo Clinic Dec. 12, 2013. In March 2012, my severe symptoms began with self admission into emergency room care. Severe shortness of breath, given breathing treatments, pericardial effusion noted. Released to see primary care doctor who began treatment with Lasix and 30 day follow up MRI. Pericardial effusion dissipated referred to cardiologist.
Cardiologist performed Lexiscan and MRI, released back to primary care doctor with no heart problem diagnosis in May 2012.
Continued Lasix with monthly follow ups with primary care doctor, but lower leg and abdomen swelling began to get worse. In January 2013 went to Cooper Clinic in Dallas for full physical. Failed treadmill miserably. Full body scan revealed cloudy lungs, swollen lymph nodes in chest and upper abdomen and pleural effusion. Referred to pulmonologists.
In late Jan. 2013, pulmonologist's clinical diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis embolism and immediate lower leg ultrasounds ordered. All test results negative and referred to Vein Cardiovascular and Thorasic surgeon.
This doctor recommended biopsy's of lung tissue and lymp nodes. Two separate surgeries performed in Feb 2013 with lung biopsy Feb. 6, 2013, and Chest lymph node biopsy on Feb 14, 2013. Lung biopsy was negative, day of lymph node biopsy my family was informed I had lymphoma cancer. Five days later, lymphoma diagnosis was retracted and referred to see a rheumatologist and connective tissue disease doctor.
Began seeing rheumatologist in March 2013. Lower leg edema pitting and significant abdominal swelling getting worse. Many different anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed through Aug 2013, but no improvement or firm diagnosis. Weight has now increased to approx. 350 pounds. I am 6' 2" and unable to perform any exercise due to severe fatigue and lack of breath. An issue I have dealt with for some 3-5 years where weight used to be 240 pounds.
Contacted Mayo in August 2013 with scheduled September apppointments. Initial Mayo cardiology clinical diagnosis was negative for constrictive pericarditis. Other Mayo appointments with Pulmonology, rheumatology, lymphodema and no firm diagnosis after some 15 blood test, Echo's, X-rays, lymphoscintigraphy.
After 7 days and no diagnosis at Mayo, initial cardiologist suggested I stay for another day and have another MRI with dye performed even though most recent was performed July 27, 2013 by rheumatologist.
Report was interpreted as Constrictive pericarditis. Follow up with another Mayo cardiologist confirmed with 80% confidence same diagnosis and recommended pericardiectomy, preceded by heart cath on Dec. 11th, 2013 to confirm pressures in heart prior to pericardiectomy on Dec. 12, 2013.
All of that said, I have not been able to find any substantial feedback from previous pericardiectomy patients as to amount of weight loss experienced during first 30 days, 180 days and 1 year. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Post Edited (D R Johnson) : 11/20/2013 7:27:54 AM (GMT-7)