Pericarditis recurring

[Kearon]

Over the last 2 years I have had around 7 attacks with can normally keep me off work for around. I have now been made redundant and started a new job and by the feel off thing about to have another attack. Problem am only a few weeks away from getting a permanent contract but if I go sick will more than likely loose the job. Just wondering if there any help out or can I claim disability or etc..

[Sunnie2day]

Welcome to the group. I also have recurrent pericarditis, since the late 1990s. I was in work at the time and it wasn't easy to keep up at times when an acute flare hit. I was in management so it was a little easier for me but it wasn't easy - or pleasant to be constantly worried about job security at the same time I was worrying about the possibility of increased pericardial effusion, and coping with the pain.

I ended up taking early retirement after one of my staff ignored the 'If you even think you're coming down with the flu - stay home!' memo and put not only me but a few others of the team in hospital for weeks. The bout with the flu brought on a whopping acute flare.

If you're not at an age you can think about early retirement, the best thing might be to talk to your supervisor or manager (or HR if your company has that). Another thing to consider is changing to work you can do from home.

Believe me, I know that's not terribly helpful. Hopefully one of the other pericarditis members will be along to offer something more substantial.

[Kearon in reply to Sunnie2day]

Unfortunately am 32 with a young family so a long way from retirement yet.. being ex forces as well couldn't imagine being stuck in doors all the time. Also with my new employer I imagine there would yet me go as only on a temporary contract atm

[Sunnie2day in reply to Kearon]

Do the medics know what caused your pericarditis? If it was environmental (work related) you might be able to get some help. I worked my entire career in the USA, retired home to the UK in late 2010 so I don't know how things work over here.

You're so young - but if it helps any at all, I was in my late 30s when a case of Dengue Fever put me on the recurrent pericarditis road. It is doable. And if it helps any at all more, I completely understand an ex-forces horror of paper pushing at a desk - I'm former USCG and at one time the thought of being stuck at a desk made me feel worse than the pericarditis did.

But we do what we have to especially when there is a family depending on us - I was widowed with two teenagers when he passed and they needed me to stay in work as long as possible despite my late husband leaving us fairly well provided for.

All the best to you, I hope your flare you can feel coming on isn't bad and you can 'soldier through'. Please keep us up-to-date with how you get on.

[Schora1]

Hi Kearon, I was diagnosed with chronic, idiopathic pericarditis in March 2019 after suffering on and off for 13yrs. I have had to retire on the grounds of ill health unfortunately. It is believed my peri is caused by autoimmune disease so I am under various consultants, such as cardiology, Rheumatologist, gastrology and the amyloidosis team in London.Are you under a cardiologist and on any medication for your peri?

[Kearon in reply to Schora1]

I went to a cardiologist before covid started where I had some test done, only thing i really got from that was I will most likely never get it again or things like stress or virus can start it. So if anything it just opened up more questions. I have basically been managing it by my self while on furlough so wasn't a big problem when I did have a episode as the GP and doctors our under a lot off pressure at the moment I have just stayed away. But now I have gone back to work its gonna be harder to live around when there do occur.

[Schora1 in reply to Kearon]

Was your peri due to viral infection? I’m surprised they haven’t put you on Colchicine as this is the main treatment for it. I also have lansoprazole to protect my stomach. You can take ibuprofen but I would speak to your GP re Colchicine.

[donchal in reply to Schora1]

Hi, I am new to this group. I had chest pain about every 2 months in all of 2019, I went to emergency room 4 different times starting in SEP. Based on my ECG, they thought I was having a heart attack. They did a catherization in the operating room and told me my heart was all good. They blamed my chest pain on acid reflex and sent me home. In the ER again in NOV, they diagnosed it as Pericarditis and put me on colchicine and ibuprofen. No help, and in DEC the pain was really bad, back to the ER, I had a Pericarditis Effusion, my CRP blood level was at 140, they did surgery to open up a pericardium window and added a drainage tube. I was in the hospital for 5 days, then they removed the tube.

They discovered in the hospital that I had adrenal insufficiency and gave me prednisone to stop the pericarditis pain. AI caused be low cortisol blood levels. After testing, they said it was idiopathic, and thought it was caused by my AI condition. Because of this, they said colchicine and ibuprofen would mot help.

I left the hospital also needing to take hydrocortisone pills every dayfor the rest of my life for replacement of cortisol because of my new AI condition.

In 2020, I had 4 recurrences that were quickly resolved with temporary prednisone. I think I caused them by trying to lower my hydrocortisone dosage. I was testing the waters to see if I really had AI. I don't do that anymore.

The bad chest pain was almost always at night trying to sleep. During the day not so bad. I never lost work except for the hospital stay and Dr appts. FYI, I am 68 years old, still working as an engineer.