Pericarditis symptoms?

[PegB]

I know there isn't going to be to many people on here due to the holiday and all, but just have a question about a new symptom.

I was diagnosed with moderate periocarditis Tues. at my 8 week echo all to my surprise since I had no symptoms. I've been on Prednisone 2X a day since then, and I'm having a lot of "discomfort" on the right side of my chest starting above the breast line and going up to my collar bone. Kind of feels like a steel plate has been implanted there. Left side is great, heart rhythm is good, no fever. Not the classic pain under the sternum or with deep breathe. I've been really stressed/scared since I saw the Dr. and don't know whether I'm just having muscle tightness. Just couldn't find this as a symptom, and don't want to call the Dr. on a holiday. Certainly not painful enough for an ER visit, in fact it's not really painful at all, just pressure like. My husb. says that I'm constantly rubbing that side, and probably making it worse.

Thanks to anyone who's out there who might have an answer!

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry don't have an answer, just some advice.....if in doubt visit the ER.

When I had my Pericardial Tamponade, I didn't have any pain. I just felt bloated and lethargic so I procastinated going to the ER. I'm not suggesting you've got Pericardial Tamponade, but my Cardiac Surgeon gave me heck for not going to the ER to get checked out as soon as I started feeling bad, as left unchecked any longer than I did, I could have been in very serious trouble. His advice was that it was better to be safe than sorry, especially the first 3 - 6 months post-op.

Not sure what this symptom might be, but I think his advice was very wise. Hopefully it is nothing.

Take care,

 

[aussiemember]

Peg - don't have any answers but endorse the above comments of getting things checked out if they continue. Hopefully this will only be a small bump in your recovery and that you'll soon be feeling much better

 

[Nan]

Hi Peg, I agree with the above. A trip to the ER if you don't want to call your doc. But almost all docs have some kind of coverage arrangement for holidays and should have someone available on call ( who will be expecting calls).

Probably best to get it checked out.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

As a Pericarditis Pro, I will try to help. My suggestion is to go to the ER if the pain is getting worse. In my later episodes, my pain is always on the left side under my collar bone and going down a few inches. However, in the earlier episodes, the pain was on both sides and in my back. I think that it depends on the amount of fluid and where it is accumulating - it can be more on one side of the heart than the other. I sometimes have rhythm problems, but not always. The first time I did have a fever, but very low - 99 or so. Is it worse when you lie on your back and better when you lean forward slightly? On my first occurrence of Pericarditis, I started on the Medrol Dose Pack (a pre-structured dose of Prednisone), but ended up in the ER with an IV within a couple of days. The oral meds weren't working fast enough and the fluid was getting worse. I stayed on Prednisone for quite a while after that because when they tried to wean me off, the fluid would return (and I gained 35 pounds in 9 months!). My miracle drug (Vioxx) actually worked better and I was really pissed when they took it off the market. Lately, Mobic seems to work pretty well. I avoid Prednisone at all costs due to the weight gain and the fact that it speeds up osteoporosis. Also, if you research this problem on the internet, you will probably find several places where it mentions that Prednisone sometimes solves the problem only temporarily and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are often preferred.