Pericarditis - pounding heart

Curious if you have had any tests that have proven you do have Pericarditis? The only reason I ask is because I am trying to still figure out if I have it and no tests I took showed anything but I have been struggling almost a whole year now since I had a viral illness and low fever and exercised a lot during the initial first week of my illness ( had a low fever one day when I was not teaching classes but I had noticed feeling bad the day before after I had finished teaching a class at the gym). I have had some noticeable heart pounding feelings at times or a hyper-awareness of my heart and occasionally have noticed a feeling of palpitations. I haven't had any tests done in months but my symptoms seem worse and I just saw my regular Dr. again Friday but I think he doesn't know what to do and also thinks I just have anxiety. But anxiety is not a constant and whatever is going on is very consistent.

Curious if you have any other noticeable symptoms? Do you exercise now and does that bother you at all?

I am pretty sure if you have something autimmune like Lupus you are more suceptible to Pericardtis due to the nature of the disease if you read about that, but my best guess is that you shouldn't be worrying that Pericarditis is causing some sort of autoimmune problem. Definitely can ask your Dr, but I am guessing no. I believe viral Pericardits is the most common way people get inflammation from what I have read although there are several types. Cleveland Clinic has a good bit of information if you want to do reading on it. I freaked myself out a lot reading too much though in the beginning of all this.

Keep us posted on what the Dr. says at your follow-up and if you have any tests done. I am curious to know.
Best wishes,

Amber

Hello all,

I have had so many bouts of pericarditis (since 2009) I have lost count! Ibuprofen, colchicine and prednisone - prescribed independently, or in different combinations. Unfortunately, I was returned to work too soon; as a flight attendant. By the end of the flight I had trouble making announcements. Eventually, I had to quit a job I loved at 52. Now I work part time for $12/hr.
I have not felt energetic since the first occurrence. I used to cycle 70kms a day - now I can manage 15,000 steps at a slow pace.
Unfortunately, symptoms seem to be unique to each one of us. I know that I have a flare up when I wake up after 4-5 hrs of sleep; spend 15 mins chest bent forward, then the rest of the night semi-sitting with 5 pillows. Including laboured breathing. Not conducive to a good night's sleep. Also what appears to be unique, I can count my heartbeats without taking my pulse or the use of a stethoscope.
Every time the EKG is normal, and if the cardiologist is not top notch - they cannot "hear the rubbing" however the echo proves it.
Now it appears my pericardium has been affected. The new cardiologist seemed sympathetic - but when I called after a couple of weeks, saying the symptoms were increasing as the medication dosage was decreasing - she said to call my GP!! No GP wants to deal with pericarditis.
She said I might eventually need to have the pericardium removed to avoid heart failure. I have witnessed my father have 4 congestive heart failures - not a pretty sight.
So if you are diagnosed with a FIRST pericarditis - YOU MUST insist on having an echocardiogram before returning to regular activities. A second flare up may lead very quickly to a chronic situation!!!
Has anyone tried anti-inflammatory diets?
Can poor kidney function be a cause?
Are diuretics helpful?
Help....I'm getting discouraged!