Steroids

[Helly75]

Has anyone taken steroids for myocarditis or pericarditis? That's what my cardiologist advised but I was reluctant because of immunosuppression & covid. Been in terrible pain for a week now so wondering if I should just take them

[Helly75]

Hi, thanks for the reply, I've already had the colchicine & ibuprofen without much change . I'm about 7 months down the line now & dont think my cardiologist was too pleased when I said I didn't want to take the steroids, start to doubt myself when the pain increases though ,I hope you're doing better.

[Schora1]

Hi, I have chronic, recurrent pericarditis caused by autoimmune. My cardiologist at my local hospital and professor Lachmann's team at the Rotal Free advise against the use of steroids as on tapering the pericarditis can become worse. Many of the top cardiologists who specialise in peri won't prescribe steroids.

[Helly75 in reply to Schora1]

Hi ,thanks for the reply . I'm so worried about the risk of infection too & dont want to do it . I requested a letter my cardiologist had written it says steroids are the recommended treatment for myocarditis & pericarditis, he also said he wasnt experienced 😱 so I'm really not keen. Sorry to hear your situation is due to an autoimmune condition, everything for me pointed to the same but ANA always negative

[Schora1 in reply to Helly75]

Discuss it if you can with your GP and cardiologist. Steroids are not the go to for peri. The best treatment us colchicine and ibuprofen or naproxen. Colchicine is the main drug used.

[Helly75 in reply to Schora1]

I've already had 3 months of colchicine & ibuprofen with no change ,will try to speak to them both about it.

[Schora1 in reply to Helly75]

Hi, I’ve been on Colchicine since March 2019. Peri doesn’t go overnight. I’ve had it since 2006. What dose are you on?

[Helly75 in reply to Schora1]

I was taking 500 micrograms twice a day for 3 months ,cardiologist told me it's not suitable long term for me

[Hidden]

If I were you get em down you lol I have heart problems and Crohn’s which is an auto immune disease. I am taking azathioprine for my Crohn’s and that’s a pretty heavy immunosuppressant (had to shield) and as long as you stay careful you’ll be alright. Let immediate family know of your position so they know to give you some space if feeling unwell and get all your jabs being in pain is no fun. So no snogging with strangers lol🙂

[Helly75 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I'm so scared about it ,but wondering if I should just get on with it. My immediate family is what im worried about , 2 in school ,2 working & around large groups of people daily. Sorry to hear you have crohn's, my gp has started the process of checking for that too, like I need more things to go wrong 🙄 haha the snogging 🤣🤣

[Hidden]

If suspected of Crohn’s then I would go with the steroids as they’ll treat that as well earlier you catch it the better 🙂

[Helly75 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you ,the gp wasnt that interested about the tummy stuff ,think the yucky test will be as far as she goes

[Hidden]

Okey dokey am sure you will make the right choice for you as in the end it’s whatever you what matters 🙂