Pericarditis?

Posted By Lisa on February 10, 1999 at 18:24:19:







I had surgery in June, 1998 to replace a bad mitral valve caused by Rheumatic Fever 22 years ago.  In late August, I had chest pains and shortness of breath, inability to lay down, and was diagnosed with pericardial effusion and put on Prednisone.  After tapering off the Prednisone, I was fine until the pain and sob reoccured after 2 weeks.  I was put on Prednisone again with the same result, except it took 5 weeks for the pain and sob to reoccur.  That time, my doctor decided to try the Prednisone protocol, and then leaving me on a low dose (2.5 mg) of Prednisone for a month.  About 2-3 weeks into the month, the pains and sob reoccurred.  However, this time, the Echo picks up no evidence of fluid, and the EKG is normal other than a pulse rate of 100-105.  Is it possible to have pericarditis with a normal Echo and EKG?
Thanks.