Pericarditis? Pain after Window?

In 2006 I was rushed into surgery for pericardial effusion.  I was in excruciating pain!  I had been for several months, but was always dismissed, even in the ER!  FINALLY..my dr. sent me in for an X-ray and at first glance she thought I had a blood clot in my heart.  After further evaluation it showed excessive fluid around my heart.  They did an emergency pericardial window.  I was in and out of hospitals for three months, it was a crazy time.  They never seemed to find a "reason" for the effusion.  They just stated it was pericarditis/effusion/tamponade.

So my question is this.....If anyone in my family is sick, has a cold, virus, etc. I get the same pain in my chest (like before surgery).  I can tell you before someone is sick that it's coming!  It is the craziest thing!!  My dr. just says it's like arthritis, and that I should just take Hydrocodone as needed.  That is all well and good, however it's a little scary.  How bad does the pain need to get before I go to the hospital?  I have had X-rays, echo, blood work, and all seems well.  The only thing that came back questionable was my CA125 was 129 (normal range <35) they checked for ovarian cancer and was cleared.  My TgAb is 1286 (normal range <34) and my TPO-ab 420 (normal range <32), dr's don't seem to mind.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Thanks!