Pericarditis recovery period

[Westie2012]

I had pericarditis and an effusion December last year , Tuesday I had the results of a recent echo by phone appointment , all the fluid has reabsorbed and my heart is functioning normally , really good news. I still have to continue to take colchicine fir 2 months and see my cardiologist in June or July . Would this mean I’m still not fully recovered from pericarditis

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya, Westie, great news about your progress! It's best to ask your medic if you can be considered 'clear' and what stage of recovery you are in current to the latest tests.

I know for my recurrent pericarditis, the only way they know for sure if I've cleared a flare is through a 'cheap and cheerful' chest listen (through a stethoscope) for pericardial friction rub, and an echo to check for pericardial effusion decrease (I have 'persistent effusion' but not enough to worry them as long as the friction rub sound is absent).

But sadly, that declaration of 'clear' doesn't mean recovery and the stages of recovery vary from person to person. The severity of the flare usually gives an idea of how long recovery wants, and the number of 'relapse' (different from clearing one flare then a new one cropping up a few months later) episodes a person goes through.

Some 'bounce back' quickly and are declared fully recovered within around 8 weeks. Others need months to recover even after a relatively mild flare.

The best advice and guidance will come from your medic as to where you are in recovery, and how to go about recovering successfully without relapse.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

[Westie2012 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you , I have emailed the cardiologist secretary with quite a few questions I didn’t think of during the phone appointment .