After being diagnosed with Pericarditis on Monday, just had an echo. to check for fluid.
Saw consultant straight after, said there is no fluid showing which is good news, also said that the cause is prob a virus, possibly COVID and that I must rest and NO exercise, only ‘gentle’ walking until breathing improves, which could be a few weeks 😢
One bit of good news, EF was 47% which is up slightly from ~45% on previous 2 echoes 😀
Time for a siesta, then the gym......... going for a gentle stroll on the treadmill and do a bit of people watching.
That visit to the gym...how did that work out for you? Despite your incredible luck (no effusion), usually when in an acute pericarditis state even a 'gentle walk' (especially on a treadmill, ask me how I know this) can cause a serious setback.
With my recurrent pericarditis, when in an acute flare I know one good day can lead to thinking I'm recovered - I then try to do some catch-up including increased 'gentle exercise' and end up spending the next 3-7 days recovering.
Good days which lead to several bad days - part and parcel of a bout with pericarditis.
I didn’t chance the gym yesterday, I am pretty good at listening to my body and it was shouting no way!
I’ve had it for a few weeks now, the consultant thinks I’m on the mend and said as no fluid then I can try a gentle walk, but said as you have, if I suffer afterwards then it’s too soon!
What’s making it worse is I had been doing so well, gaining weight and lifting more weights and doing more cardio 🥲
I REALLY feel for you as I’ve only had it a couple of weeks!
Pauline, I am genuinely sick of being sick. There are only so many crochet blankets one home and several charities can take, also, I've discovered there really is an end to the Internet when daytime TV is completely boring and I've watched all the box sets!
Life can certainly kick us when we are down sometimes. You are sorely missed on the forum but you have to conserve your energy on getting well. You are certainly in my thoughts.
So sorry to hear this but good theres no fluid build up.
Can be slow progress even without other complications so PLEASE do rest. It can be one step forward & a dozen back if you over do it during hearts recovery. Good luck 🤞🏽
I was diagnosed with pericarditis and an effusion last December , as I didn’t know how important it was to rest I ended up making my condition very severe and had two more emergency admissions to CCU , Christmas Eve I ended up being rushed in on blues and twos and the fluid had made me very unwell and I needed a week of IV antibiotics plus so much more medication . I still recovering now , please don’t overdo things , that was the mistake I made . I was told I’d be recovered on 6 months but I’m not there yet . Take it very slow at the gym . Glad you have no fluid but be careful , it’s very early days for you x
I wasn't allowed out the house! No exercise. Please don't set yourself back. It takes a long time to overcome this without complications. I felt so ill I couldn't swallow let alone walk round the coffee table so I guess you're not feeling like that. But do take care. Your heart needs to rest and heal.
I've had man-flu, this doesn't seem so bad 🤣........................ Joking
I think i'm lucky so far (touch wood), i've had no real chest pains, mostly flu like aches/pains, sore throat, the worst is the breathlessness, everything wipes me out 😢
Will only do gentle walking till I feel up to more.
Sorry to hear about this, hope you get over it as soon as you can. Why go on a treadmill for a walk are you expecting bad weather? lol
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Cheers.
I actually prefer walking on the treadmill if I'm walking by myself, it feels less lonely!
Plus as i'm only going for a 'stroll' I can watch something on my iPad if I get bored people watching.
Great news about yr EF 👍🏻
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Cheers mate, only a small increase but I was quite pleased when she said 47%
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I’d take any increase bud, it’s definitely the amount of exercise you do that’s getting the results on EF. My last MRI my EF was at 46%… so your in the lead 😅. I’m seeing my cardiologist next week so I’m hoping he suggests getting another stress mri done so I can check my latest EF out. I’ll be gutted if it’s gone down 😏
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Same for me if it stays same or small increase i'm more than happy.
P.s. hope you overtake me 🤞
Excuse my ignorance but what is EF? I had pericarditis diagnosed in March & seems to be more or less ok now. I had it 6 weeks after the 1st Pfizer jab & I'm not risking any further jabs. I had an echo follow up last week but haven't had the results yet.
Ok thanks for the info. No I haven't discussed it with a GP recently. The consultant at the Royal Free said the auto immune reaction would be in response to a virus in the previous 2 weeks & that the jab was 6 weeks ago so wouldn't be the cause. I have read since that reactions have been recorded up to 7 weeks after the jab. Obviously I can't be sure the jab caused it but considering recent reports have stated that 62% of hospitalisations have been in those double jabbed, I'm not at all sure I want to risk having any more. Also there have been reports that a second jab isn't recommended if the 1st has caused issues. I'm not anti-vax but I am concerned that significant side effects are being under reported.
I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant reactions. Thanks for your comment that the 2nd AZ jab didn't cause you any further reactions. I'll mention having a booster to the doctor when I hear the results of my echo, see if they can recommend a diffferent vaccine perhaps.
Well, you have confirmed my thoughts that I shouldn't risk having any further covid vaccinations, so thanks for your very detailed reply. Obviousy I hope you make a full recovery from long Covid and that both you and your fiance will recover from your heart problems caused by the vaccine.
I think I've been off the colchicine for about 9 weeks now and I haven't really had any further problems (yet) but I'm waiting to hear the results of my echo on 22 September.
I'm assuming you have been advised not to have your second vaccine by your consultant. I don't even feel like asking my doctor for their opinion as I'm sure they will advise me to have it, but I will mention your problems and see what they say to that! I expect it will be the usual line that the risk is extremely low.
My son & daughter are in their 30s and they haven't been jabbed. My son is a vehement anti-vaxer but up to now I haven't been as they seem to reduce the risk of serious illness for most. Or at least that's what the media keeps telling us!
It's so interesting to hear what you have said about your partner's cardiologist remarks about seeing far too many patients with cardiac complications, as well as your daughter's comments, so I'm sticking well clear of any further jabs. We just don't hear this on the media do we. I guess the reason is that most seem to get away without any serious complications, although now it looks like Boris is going to make it available to 12-15 year olds as Covid restrictions are wrecking the economy. It doesn't look like he's being 'guided by the science' any more .
I'm so sorry to hear that you're still feeling very unwell. I was told to go back on the colchicine if I had any recurrence of symptoms, but apart from slight uncomfortable sensations, I'm more or less ok now. Perhaps you should discuss going back on the colchicine with your doctor? By the way I only took one 0.5mg pill a day as I am just under 70kg whereas I was actually presribed two a day. Google says only 2 a day if over 70kg. If they upset your tummy perhaps two a day is too strong, try one perhaps.
I'm 66 now so could retire but luckily the civil service have allowed me to work from home full time due to my situation which is good of them. I didn't fancy commuting on the tube! My daughter is currently doing TEFL working from home on Skype. I don't know whether you would consider that? It's a lot less pay than teaching of course.
Please let me know how you're getting on. I will let you know about my echo results when I hear in a couple of weeks time.
Can I ask why you are making a very important decision about your medical care by hear say rather than from advice from a registered medical professional?
I will see what they say of course, but I think you'll find it's more than just 'hearsay'. There has been a lot of studies such as in the US & Israel of heart inflammation caused by the vaccine.
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I do hope that you realise that your heart is potentially at a far greater risk from covid than it is from the vaccine!
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Yes perhaps, but possibly if the first vaccine has nearly killed you perhaps one should think twice about having a further vaccination?
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I agree, but I would be seeking the advice of a medical professional, not basing my decision on the experience of someone else.
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Well it was me that had a nasty reaction, so I'm not basing my opinion on what others have said. It is however interesting to hear what's actually going on in the real world rather than just what the media want us to believe.
Just to repeat, I'm not anti-vax. My opinion is have the first jab & if no reaction you're probably ok to have further jabs. If on the other hand you've had a bad reaction to the first jab, look at the real evidence of heart inflammation and deaths reported, & seriously consider whether a second is a good idea.
I also have a friend who had a heart attack & blood clots from the 2nd AZ vaccine , so actually knowing people who have had terrible reactions will obviously colour my view.
Yes I have read the research. Thank you for your concern.
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