Myocarditis

[Tomedward]

Hi I was diagnosed with myocarditis due to a viral infection and pneumonia when I went to hospital on the 11th of March. I spent 2 in hospital and I have been home nearly a week. I didn't realise the after effects would be as bad as they are headaches,leg pain ,joint pain lucky no chest pain. I thought I would be over the infection/pneumonia but maybe I am not I think I didn't ask enough questions on my discharge day. Is it normal to feel weak and have joint pain?

[OpenMind1]

Hi. Welcome to the myocarditis club, not one any of us would have chosen to join. I am 9 weeks after hospital admission and recovery for me is a bit if a roller coaster but certainly includes headaches, feeling exhausted dizziness, not joint pain for me but flu like symptoms is normal i understand. We just have to rest as much as possible. Put your heart under as little stress as you can to give it time to heal. I've found the bhf nurses really helpful if you need any support or advice. Take care of yourself and rest, rest, rest.

[Hidden]

Hi

Sorry you have been suffering! I have myocarditis too and I’ve been feeling very similar to what you describe.

I’ve had fatigue, dizziness, headaches and leg pains also. It has completely taken all my energy. I didn’t have pneumonia ( that sounds horrid, sorry to hear this) but I did have pleurisy. Like you it’s hard to understand what is causing what symptom!

I’ve had loads of questions so I called the BHF helpline, the cardiac nurse answered all my questions. They were amazing.

I hope you start to feel better soon : )

[Tomedward in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your input I appreciate you taking the time to answer sometimes the muscle pain is unbearable.

[Hidden in reply to Tomedward]

It’s sounds awful, so sorry.

I can totally understand….the pain is something I’ve never felt before.

I’m trying to keep on top of the pain killers. I found keeping warm and using a hot water bottle has helped a bit too.

[HHH2017]

Hiya, it is very normal sadly. So sorry you are having such a rough time but be prepared to take it VERY esst and recover over a period of MONTHS. The best advice for recovery from myocarditis is REST REST AND THEN MORE REST. Your heart muscle has had an awful shock and like any strained muscle it needs time to recovery. Every case is different, severity, age, complications etc but you do seem to have had it quite bad so it is gonna take time. If you have a better day please don't over do it or it will be 1 step forward & two back. Time & Rest and you will get better. Keep in touch with your GP & hopefully cardiologist will see you forcheck ups, scan etc to check swelling has gone down completely and no lasting after effects. Most people mske a complete recovery so look after yourself & your heart in the coming weeks & months and you will too. Do ring the BHF nurses for advice re symptoms too if you are worried about aches, pains etc, it can be scary. Do search on here for Myocarditis as lots of us have posted our stories, asked questions etc so hopefully you will find these helpful. Take care & keep us posted on your progress.

[Tomedward in reply to HHH2017]

Thank you for taking the time to answer it has helped me understand a bit more when I left hospital I felt good but I was on a fair bit of medication in hospital.

[fishonabike]

As others have said, it is normal to feel terrible, but it is also normal for hospital staff not to prepared you for this - most of them have never had it!

firstly a viral infection anywhere in your body can leave you wiped out with all sorts of symptoms - think of flu or the other famous one which we don't name (because posts get removed) - it takes time and rest to recover

also because while your heart is inflamed by myocarditis the muscle cannot work properly, it can't pump your blood out to your body as fast as you want, so deliveries of fuel and oxygen are slow, so nothing works properly, like a factory where the power and basic materials are in short supply

you have to go part-time until normal service is resumed and you have to wait for that to return gradually

so watch TV, read, put your feet up and enjoy a leisurely life for a while

[Tomedward]

Back to the doctors today she thinks I have another virus which explains some of my symptoms and my beta blockers could be the source of the leg muscle pain. So she halfed my dose.