Pericarditis

Posted By Helen on January 15, 1999 at 23:40:33:







Dear Doctor,
I am a 36 year old female in excellent health except for a pacemaker inserted in May 98 for heart block. I developed pericarditis which did not respond to aspirin, NSAIDS or high doses of steroids. In the end the Dr. repositioned the ventricular lead as it was suggestive that it had migrated and was perhaps in the pericardium - suggestive only on trans-oesophageal echo and likely on CT scan. Friction rub and pain eased off quickly after movement of the lead. 4-5 months later I am feeling sharp pains again at ventricular lead area (under left breast) and once again have pericarditis with friction rub and pain. I live in the country and local physician phoned the specialist who put me on colchisine and betaloc for the recurrent tachycardia associated. My question is why would I get a recurrence and do you think it is possible that the lead could have migrated again? Please give me your opinion as I am a bid shocked that this whole thing has blown up again. It has been 7 months of hell and I have 3 beautiful children to care for and a wonderful husband and I am sick of being sick.
I am also interested in hearing from anyone who has suffered recurrent pericarditis and their thoughts.
Helen