Pericarditis and recovery

[PunkyPrincess1]

Hi all,

I’ve just been discharged from hospital with pericarditis. I’ve been given a few medications including colchicine. It’s being going on for a couple of weeks now and I’m still in pain.

Does anyone have any advice for recovery? I’ve been told to rest and I know I cannot do any HIIT training now but are gentle walks or swims ok and will these have a positive effect?

Also does anyone have an idea of how long it took them before they could return to work? Sorry about all the questions but I’ve never heard of this before and unsure what to expect.

Thanks

[Sunnie2day]

I was told to try five minutes easy walking and if I felt any breathlessness or pain to stop, wait ten minutes, try walking again, and if the shortness of breath and or pain returned, to make my way home and call the GP. Worked for me.

Did you have a pericardiocentesis? I did. Honestly, thought I'd never really recover and couldn't decide which was worse - the pericarditis or the pericardiocentesis. It did take a while to feel fully me again, I hope hearing that helps

[PunkyPrincess1 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thanks for replying @sunnie2day. Thanks really helpful, I’m going to the doctor next week and will have a chat to him but would like to do something so I can try and keep healthy (ish!). I haven’t had a pericardiocentesis, but this pericarditis is kicking my butt, even hanging up washing gives me pain but hearing that you finally feel better does give me hope. Thank you so much for the tips 😊 x

[Askthebees]

I went back to work a few days after diagnosis. I didn't have much option and sitting forward working on a computer was actually the most comfortable position. It's been a struggle and the 30 minute drive was not good at first. That was early Feb and I still have problems with basic physical stuff like mowing the lawn or shopping. I haven't dared to start exercising again.

[PunkyPrincess1 in reply to Askthebees]

Thanks for the reply. It does seem to be a long term condition for most from what I can tell. The way I feel, I won’t be exercising for a while ☹️