Pericarditis Experience

[CallmePeri]

I'm 41. Never had health issues before. I don't smoke, I used to, about 7 years ago. I don't drink. Haven't drank for ten years. I have been going to the gym weekly for 12 years, doing cross fit for the last 2/3.

I woke up on May the 11th this year with a sore arm and shoulder and a bruised feeling in my heart. I took two ibuprofen, rubbed some deep heat on my shoulder and went back to bed. Woke the next day with only a bruised feeling in my heart. Walked about the entire day feeling a bit odd with the bruised heart. Eventually dialled 111 and was told to go to A and E. After ECG, bloods, was told it was suspected Pericarditis. Sent home the next day - I stayed at the hospital all night, with no sleep - and told to take ibuprofen (600mg) plus omeprazole for two weeks. Symptoms went away. I started to go back to the gym after two months, it was fine started doing crossfit high intensity classes again. I felt fine. Was very conscious of little twinges, mild palpitations, and a general sense my heart wasn't quite right. But I went to crossfit classes and was fine, and we elevate the high rate quite a lot. Then three weeks ago my heart and chest felt a little tight, and i suspected pericarditis was back after a few days of symptoms I was told to go to A and E again and they said it looked very mild but that it was suspected acute pericarditis. I've been taking colchicine twice a day at 5mg. I've also been allowed to add ibuprofen as the colchicine wasn't really doing much after a few days.

I'm curious what I can do to support my heart and body to get over pericarditis. It am gutted not to be able to go to the gym anymore. I used to go 3 times a week and was training for competitions but since May I've hadto stop the gym, I managed to get back for a but during August and September but then pericarditis struck again. It feels quite mild. I'm able to work, walk and talk, go up and down stairs, drive etc. I haven't seen a cardiologist yet. Apparently I've got about 17 weeks to go, that's mean been waiting since May! I'm not sure how best to facilitate recovery, and wondering how serious this issue is, will become etc? Any thoughts, advice, or people with similar stories I would be happy to hear from you.

Colin

[VelvetSky]

I would suggest you pay to see a Cardiologist, even if it’s just to get peace of mind.

[HHH2017]

Hi, what a rotten few months you've had! Personally I was hospitalised with acute myopericarditis for nearly 3 weeks (myocarditis & pericarditis together) so my experience is different but my bro in law had pericarditis a year later.

Like you he was very fit, regular cyclist and daily at the gym. In the end it was only complete rest from exercise for approx 6 months that helped him recovery.

When he kept going back after short periods the pericarditis would flare up again like yours seems to have.

Im sorry this isnt the best of news but I think your heart (an important muscle) is telling you it needs serious recovery time ❤️‍🩹

Everyone is different and severity of the condition varies but do listen to your body and I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.

[CallmePeri in reply to HHH2017]

thank you, have you recovered now?

[HHH2017 in reply to CallmePeri]

Hi Colin, I kind of have! I had 2 heart attacks at the same time so lots going on. My heart has been left scarred & enlarged with borderline heart failure. Having said that I now have a new normal, I swim & can play with my grandchildren and walk 5k on the flat on a good day. I miss not walking up mountains in the lake district but have adjusted and am happy.

My bro in law is back to everything, cycling, gym,marshal arts and walking. Breathless more easily BUT hes also 5years older now 😉

Do give the BHF nurses a call for more medical info they are great.

Good luck in your recovery but pls do take it slow & steady to be fighting fit long term 💪🏽

Telephone for BHF nurses

[Scho1]

Hi Colin, sorry to hear you are suffering. I have idiopathic, chronic, recurrent pericarditis and effusions and have had now since 2006.

Treatment is colchicine and nsaids with a PPI to protect your stomach such as lansoprazole. I also have oramorph and celecoxib so it may be worth speaking to your GP about stronger nsaids.

Rest is vital to recovery and helping prevent recurrent episodes. My cardiologist one of a working party globally into recurrent peri always instruct me to rest for 3mths.

If I feel pain or breathlessness I know Ive overdone things and to stop what I’m doing.

A cardiac MRI is the gold standard for true diagnosis.

There is a UK and global pericarditis forum you can find via face book. I will try to send you the link if you’d like. Here if you need to chat or have any questions.

Christine

[fishonabike]

i am sorry that you are experiencing this, i hear it can be very painful and distressing

unfortunately it seems that you were not given any helpful advice about exercise: it is improtant to cut out exercise for a period and resume very gradually

you might find this helpful: acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiolog...

i don't know how much you know about your heart and what the pericardium is, but you might find it helpful and interesting to get some basic info on this to help you understand your condition - plenty of info at different levels of complexity online, from basic heart structure for beginners to beyond degree level

also covid infection has led a rise in myocarditis in young athletes (myocarditis and pericarditis are both inflammation of parts of the heart's structure and are treated in similar ways) - as a reult there has bee a lot of research on how best to support athletes in their return to fitness (mainly due to economic pressure from sponsors!) - there are plenty of reports and info about this online (remember to check for reliability of the source)

you can also see previous posts on this subject in this forum by using the search option

i wish you a good and full recovery........... gradually🙂

[EdtheDead]

I feel your pain. Though I was initially wrongly diagnosed with a Heart Attack in September 23 the diagnosis of Pericarditis in October 23 was correct. Suffered immensely with it for 3 months then it thankfully disappeared. Fast forward 8 weeks and it came back so back on Colchicine. Stayed on it for 7 months and now all seems good. Had a Cardiac MRI and the pericardium is now normal. Rest, rest and more rest is the order of the day. Do absolutely nothing that could aggravate it including and light lifting. I have been given an extra 2 months worth of Colchicine in case it comes back but after being 2 months clear hopefully it's now behind me. As a footnote I sincerely hope your not on 5mg Colchicine twice a day as that dosage would probably kill you it's that toxic. I hope you mean the standard dose of 500 micrograms.

[CallmePeri in reply to EdtheDead]

thank. yes, micrograms!

[Sharpglo]

I presume you have received an electrocardiography? If not get one yourself.