possible pericarditis?

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

barb

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
94
Location
cleveland,oh
I'm almost 3 months post op and have had a prettty uneventful recovery. About 4 weeks ago I began doing more in the way of lifting, driving etc and expected some new soreness with increase in activity. I wasn't surprised when I had what I felt was a pinched nerve at that time. For these past few weeks I have had neck, upper back and left shoulder pain that radiates to just below my elbow on my left arm. It is impossible to get comfortable sometimes and I have resorted to tramadol or vicodin in the evening. Doesn't really help the pain but makes me care about it less lol. In just the last few days I have had a VERY sharp pain to the left of the top of my scar when I bend over to reach something. I was sure I would touch it and find a wire protruding is the only way I can describe the pain. Obviously that wasn't the case. I have noticed posts regarding pain from chest wires, pericarditis and scar pain. I have suspected pericarditis now for a few days after reading star's experience but wonder about the sharp pain coming on after having the pinched nerve feeling for a few weeks. Could pericarditis cause issues with the wires as a result of swelling? I am about to call the cardio but thought I'd check in here just to help me organize my questions for him.
 
If you've read star's thread, you've already heard my experience. Bending forward and lying on your back are usually worse with pericarditis. I wouldn't call it a sharp pain - more like a heavy feeling and short of breath. Other than that, your symptoms are pretty much on target. Vicodin didn't really help me either.
 
Your data says you received a tissue resolution for your valve and aorta problems.

If you're not on anticoagulants, you may wish to check with your doctor about using an NSAID (such as ibuprofen), rather than the narcotics. One of the things that NSAIDs do is to reduce inflammation, which narcotics and acetaminophen don't do. That can help to relieve one of the underlying issues, rather than just relieving some of the pain. They're often used for treatment of pericarditis.

Best wishes,
 
Back
Top