Pain getting worse after stopping colchicine

[Westie2012]

I stopped taking colchicine last week as instructed by my cardiologist , since getting pericarditis and an effusion I have been left with rib pain on my left side that has never gone away . It’s only been a few days since stopping colchicine but the rib pain is much getting worse already . I’ve had to double how many codeine I usually take , do I just keep taking more pain relief or contact my gp or cardiologist ? I have an echo scan august 31st to check the amount of fluid as I still have a small effusion and I should be seeing my cardiologist , I’m hoping my appointment will be next month but I’m still waiting to find out when I’ll be seeing him.

[RufusScamp]

Obviously, we cannot advise you on medication, not being experts. Have you got a cardiac nurse you can contact? Otherwise, try your cardiologist. If no joy there, your GP. I find our practice nurses are good at steering one in the right direction.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to RufusScamp]

As an anti-inflammatory, so I’m guessing that’s why it hurts more now you’ve stopped it. I would contact my GP again. In similar circumstances my GP rang the Cardio Dept for advice on how the increased pain could be managed. More and more codeine doesn’t sounds a good strategy!

[Schora1]

Hi, I'm a pericarditis, pericardial effusion sufferer and have been now for 15years. I am on colchicine daily, with a ppi and naproxen. I would definitely speak to your GP or cardiologist as they can advise you best.

[Sunnie2day]

Like Schora1, I too am a pericarditis endurer - I was diagnosed with 'recurrent pericarditis' in the early 2000s. They tried me on Colchicine but I got all the worst side effects so for the past 20 years the only pain relief I've been able to use is aspirin. Luckily I have an exceptionally high tolerance for aspirin. Between 'acute flares' the pain dials down to a 'dull roar' I can usually ignore but when in an active flare the pain is horrible. You have my deepest empathy!

If you haven't already, you do need to contact the prescribing medic , Kristin1812 is spot-on that increasing your codeine without medical guidance is not the way to cope.

[Westie2012 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you for your reply , when I said about taking more medication I meant my pain relief not colchicine .