Acute recurrent pericarditis, anything better than ibuprofen? Too many recurrences

[Francru]

Hi all and thanks for let me join on this interesting group. I am 55 and suffering from acute recurrent pericarditis, treatment only with ibuprofen and gastric protective pills, I consider myself hyperactive which I like but self limited by this condition. Hoping for more effective treatment to help to stop this endless recurrences which force me to be laying down for 2 weeks at least 4 times in a year and the abuse of ibuprofen. Welcome any experience and professional advice. Cheers

[firstlight40]

When I had pericarditis 20 years ago I was prescribed indomethacin which cleared it up quickly. I would suggest getting a cardiac specialist to investigate the underlying cause of frequent bouts as this doesn't seem right and I can't believe that having it every two weeks is good for you.

I was told also that dental hygiene was important (the heart and the mouth are apparently closely connected) and to ensure that any gum disease was treated to avoid recurrence.

[Schora1]

Hi, I have chronic, idiopathic, recurrent pericarditis. The standard treatment is colchicine as well as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin. Speak to your GP or cardiologist. It is a very debilitating illness and key to recovery is rest, rest and rest some more.

[Sunnie2day]

I have recurrent pericarditis, went nearly 15 years without a flare then the past two years have had flare after flare after flare. Getting a lot boring and annoying now, not to mention 'uncomfortable' when the chest pain goes from the usual dull ache when not in a flare to a rather unpleasant (understatement) outright pain when in a flare. Worst of it is forcing myself to be inactive in hope of shortening the flare as I know trying to 'soldier through' is the wrong way to go about home-recovery. I really hate sitting around whilst dust bunnies gather and laundry piles up and...

You don't mention being prescribed Colchicine or Indomethacin so I'm presuming you are either intolerant of those meds (I am so intolerant of Colchicine it's printed in big red letters on all my charts not to prescribe it), I've never been offered Indomethacin. If you've not been offered either, you may want to ask your medic why - those who can tolerate Colchicine find it an incredible help.

Also helpful if you have effusion is a 5-15 day course of Furosemide (diuretic), especially if you're intolerant of the standard Colchicine.

My daily meds - 24/7/365 are: Bisoprolol 1.25mg+300mg aspirin, a GTN spray as needed, and 'permission' to take another 600mg aspirin if in a flare and the pain is very bad, and the occasional course of Furosemide. The meds work so well mostly now my main 'problem' is the way I have to force myself not to overdo whilst clearing a flare. I was put on the beta blocker for angina but so far it seems to be working nicely for the chest pain during an acute flare of the pericarditis - you may want to ask your medic about that regime.

Question - when you're in a flare, do you have chest x-ray or an echocardiogram done to check for pericardial effusion?

Another few questions - do you sleep only on your right side with your upper body slightly elevated? Do you avoid long hot steamy showers or hot tubbing or saunas or any heat and humidity? Are you scrupulous about avoiding inhaling mould spores? Have you tried reducing your salt intake (made a big difference for me when I finally cut my salt intake to no more than 2-3g per day, much less effusion which is always nice when in a flare).

[Hidden in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hope u feel better soon Sunnie 🌈

[Challiefan in reply to Sunnie2day]

This may be of interest to the forum. Other similar experiences out there? What happened in your cases?

I had viral pericarditis which lead to Atrial Fibrillation, and Flutter a long time ago. I've had two Radiofrequency Cardiac Ablations spaced 4.5 years apart. Pericarditis returned - though not viral related this time - soon after the second ablation 5 months ago, so I suspect it has something to do with the procedure itself. Maybe a consequence of mucking about with nerves, but I'm guessing.

It takes the form of sharp stabbing pains which can be quite intense, and which can last for anything between a few seconds to a few hours. I wasn't too worried about it as I knew it wasn't a heart attack - symptoms very different - and I was hoping it would settle down. However, my Doctor has told me it should be taken seriously, so I am!

I've been prescribed Colchicine which has eliminated the pain. However, I also have a consultant appointment next week, and an echo scan a little later. I'm hoping the condition will settle down in time. If it doesn't I'll continue to take advice, and live with it. Still - fingers crossed...

Cheers, y'all

[Sunnie2day in reply to Challiefan]

Please keep us updated as you go on. I'm now following you (I try to keep up with all the fellow pericarditis folks here on the BHF forum) so if you start a new discussion I'll find a notification in my inbox.

[Zaho]

I’m using INDOMETHACIN it’s anti inflammation drug not a steroid and it works for me