Pericarditis and high inflammatory markers

[Odosmum]

Does anyone have experience of pericarditis and very high inflammatory markers? After having a 'small heart attack' I have now developed pericarditis and am finding it almost impossible to tolerate the colchicine that they want me to take for 3 months. Any advice/thoughts?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh hard luck - just what anyone needs! NOT ...

Colchicine can be horrid but they seem to have decided it is a wonder-drug all of a sudden. I just read the side effects when OH had gout and and said no - his gut was bad enough as it was so they gave him a few days of high dose pred and it worked wonders.

The blood markers are often raised in pericarditis so to be expected, especially CRP as that is particularly cardiac-related.

escardio.org/Journals/E-Jou...

says

"Colchicine is recommended first-line therapy as an adjunct to aspirin/NSAIDs. Low-dose corticosteroids should be considered in cases of contraindications/failure of aspirin/NSAIDs and colchicine"

So I would stand my ground and ask for more pred - not as if you aren't used to it!!! Are you still on pred?

[Odosmum in reply to PMRpro]

Yes - 0.5 mg per day, so plenty of room to up the dose. It might give me an appetite too!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Odosmum]

Be careful what you wish for!!!! I was in the UK for 2 months - the diet starts now I think! I was being cooked for - certainly made me eat more ...