Long term effects of pericarditis

[thorny]

In 1995 I had pericarditis. Everything I have been reading states that these symptoms of the pericarditis seem to only last on average, a week to three months. I had taken steroids for over a year after that. Since this time, I have also noticed that it seems that one of the treatments for this is to use a needle and drain the fluid. I only had huge amounts of steroids. While I was in the hospital for a period of 8 days, I gained 39 pounds. (And unfortunately, I have yet to loose this weigh, due to the steroids.) I have been going to doctors this past year and a half constantly. I am being told that I suffer from an aniexty disorder. And I was was told that I have  fibromyalgia. It seems that symptoms in each, the fatigue, the heavy cheat, the shortness of breath, coughing, sometimes I run a low grade fever, weakness, discomfort in my chest, back (chest level), my hands and feet always ache (they feel like they are drawung up). The last two times I went to the doctor and told him that while he had me on, anti-inflammatory vioux, flexril, he also had me on paxil, ibiprofin (600 mg three times a day), prilosec, and atenenol for blood pressure (before all of this medication I had an average blood pressure of 110/72) it deminished the discomfort, but I felt like I was in a fog. I couldn't seem to get the energy to do anything. He took me off everything (probably to quit my whining and complaining) and I've been weened off the paxil. After three days of vomiting and diahrea (which after a phone call to my physician) due to what I was told was the withdrawal from the medication, the first 24 hours I had a clear head, and I felt almost like my old energetic self. After three and a half weeks though I have slowly been feeling worse. It started with slight dicomfort in my chest, left shoulder and left arm, being uncomfortable when I lay down,  to drastic spikes in my blood pressure (198/132 which I went to the emergency room), and last night while sitting playing bingo up at church (after a long busy day) my left thumb went numb, then the hand. And while I was experiencing this, my vision became blurred, unfocused. It seemed then as if my lips started to get numb. That passed quickly but the hand and vision seemed to last for quit a while. I know that in reading, the anti-inflammatory drug helps keep the swelling down in the muscles and cases of the pericarditis. I know this was a long way around a few simple questions but, Can you have long term pericarditis? Would it show in the blood tests after such a long time? Would a doctor be able to give you some type of tests to evaluate the situation and eliminate certain illnesses or diseases? Do you acquire other illnesses or diseases after you have pericarditis?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear thorny,
You don't give you age and this would make somewhat of a difference in what things to look for.  Firstly, I am very concerned about this incident you had while playing bingo.  This could have been a small stroke and could be a warning signal if no actions are taken.  If there are no contraindications to aspirin everyone older than 55 should take an aspirin a day to help decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack.  Please be sure to see your doctor this week if you have not already talked to him about this episode.  Second, if your blood pressure is running 190's this is dangerously high and you need to be on blood pressure medication.  They can have side-effects but there are many different types of medication that your doctor can try.  In addition, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen increase blood pressure and should be avoided in persons with hypertension.  

Lastly, in regard to the pericarditis.  It is possible to have chronic pericarditis and it could cause some of the symptoms you are experiencing.  The best way to rule this out is with a good echocardiogram with attention to the diastolic function of the heart.  

Please don't put off having your symptoms from last night evaluated.

[Sis]

I have a 23 year old daughter that has accute, chronic pericarditis.  She has had it 5 or 6 times since the end of June, 2000.  Each time the spells last at least 6 days.  She had ASD repair when she was 16 and did fairly well for about 6 1/2 years.  All tests show heart is okay except for the fluid around her heart when she has the spells.  Had a hard time getting anyone to do an echo during one of the attacks but they finally agreed to.  Now we are looking for a doctor that specializes in pericardium disease. Know what you are going through.  She is almost lifeless when this hits her and the pain is tremendous. They do not want to put her on long-term steriods of which I am glad.  Looking for answers elsewhere.  Looking for a specialist in the Scottsdale,Arizona; Temple, Texas or Dallas, Texas area.  Does anyone know of one?

[Addie]

Houston has the Texas Heart Institute that you may want to call for a Specialist in Pericarditis.  

Good Luck

[Catherine]

I was diagnosed with calcification, constrictive percarditis.  Two months ago I had a chest xray and there is was, calcification around the percardium. I was then told that I had pericarditis when I was younger and this is what happens years later.  I am now scheduled for surgery at the Mayo clinic in July for a percardietomy where they will try to remove the lining of my heart.  I am 38 years old and am healthy...or was I should say.  They tell me the surgery is dangerous, but if I don't the constriction will kill me.  It all seems like a dream.  I have spent the last two months reading everything I could find on pericarditis.  Until then I had never heard of it.  They sent me to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in LA, they preformed a heart cath.  After all my research I found the doctor who I believe handles this condition more than anyone else in the US.  That is doctor Gordon Danielson of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  He had done a study about pericarditis which was published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine that taught me more about this condition then any doctor I have spoken with.  Clear cut answers to a condition that remains a mystery.  I believe that I know who to go to and how this condition progresses.  If you have any questions or if anyone can  be of further assistance to me, please email me at ***@****

Thanks
Catherine

[Catherine]

I have researched every hospital in the US...Houston, Minn, Calif, Ohio.

Mayo by far is the best.  This is difficult for me because I live in Las Vegas.

Eight years ago I had a fever, it spiked and hit 103 it lasted for about a week.  Not sick since.  They now tell me I had pericarditis.  My LONG lasting results from this problem are a calcific heart.  On my heart xray is looks like someone poured Elmer's glue on my heart.  What that calcification now does is squeeze me heart.  Constriction is the tech name for it and it is life-threathening.  It was strange to read all the symptoms that you all had above, I have the difficulty breathing, ie, shortness of breath.  Stress is constant, and I have swelling from time to time.  It is hard getting information about this condition because it is now rare with TB being almost non-existed, and radiation is now more presise.  There are some great websites on this and if you write me I will show you the way.  One thing I will tell you...DO NOT LET THIS GO UNTREATED...I did.  Now they can't tell me if I will live past this operation.  Your local doctor will not know what to do, I had so many doctor's in the Las Vegas area scratching their heads it was frightening.  Percarditis is now a rare condition, if left untreated you can be in trouble.  Good luck to you and write if you can.  I will be gone after the middle of July for the lovely percardietomy.  Love and faith will get us through.
Catherine