Pericarditis/Constrictive Pericarditis

Hello group, I wanted to be available to all of you to share my story and be of value/resource to the group. CP is an uncommon condition and not that you can find many resources about. I developed this condition after none-symptomatic pneumonia, and the symptoms I was having were perceived by my doctor as anxiety and chronic fatigue. It took me doing research on CFS that lead me to request my doctor to do a stress test in the heart and that the technician was not able to do because she found something there. 8 months after it took to discover the constrictive pericarditis and by that time the water had calcified. I visited 5 different cardiologists and all agree with the diagnoses, but out of this five 2 help me doubt that surgery was my only option. Although it was very scary and I having a limited life, I changed my diet to low inflammation diet and took many natural remedies. I would have flares and many times sore throats a will debilitate me and was living with the fear of surgery until I finally was able to visit a Mayo specialist that finally gave me the green light to have a normal life and to continue with my healthy eating protocol. Although I have to keep a check on keeping my immune system up good, I can say I am much better and moving forward with no surgery. So do not believe cardiologist because they are not surgeons, always look for a specialist on this type of conditions.

My son who is 26 years old has been diagnosed with pericarditis it has been two months and he is not getting better he is on colchicine and pain med he has been through a lot and I am wondering if anyone has gone through this or how long does it take I am afraid he is not managed right

Hi,

Myself I have had this on and off confirmed 7 times from 15 to now 28 years old from 1 month to 7 months. Is he by any chance taking aspirin or advil derivitive ? I am asking as for some reason beyond Dr knowledge I cannot take either as it actually increases symptoms and pain.

Hello @pureprousa,

Welcome to Mayo Connect and for starting this discussion on pericarditis, I appreciate your concern for your son and for seeking to learn something about this disorder and how others have dealt with this diagnosis. Connect is a place where we can learn from each other.

There are numerous members on Connect who have posted about pericarditis. Here is a link to one of those discussions:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/constrictive-pericarditis-1/?commentsorderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
Also, here is a link to a Mayo Clinic website that will provide you with more information, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pericarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352510

You don't mention much about your son's condition. If you are comfortable sharing more, please let us know how long he had symptoms before the diagnosis was made and what tests were done to confirm this diagnosis.

What type of treatment has his doctor started to help with this condition?

Hi Teresa my son had done and echo ct scan and ekg X-ray blood work to show high inflammation markers since he has severe chest pain that radiate to his shoulders and neck they diagnosed him with pericarditis he also had an effusion where they had to tap him and get the fluid out they gave him colchicine and pain med but he is still spiking fevers and in bed for two months now and I was wondering if anyone have had this experience or how long did it take them to recover please help

Hello @pureprousa,

I'm sorry to hear that you son is still dealing with a high fever and bed rest. How old is your son?

Do you live near a university medical center and/or a Mayo facility where you can get a second opinion?

Here is a Mayo Clinic video about this condition along with treatment options:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pericarditis/multimedia/treating-pericarditis-video/vid-20139209

Good morning my son is 26 years old I took an appointment with Mayo Clinic for second opinion but they won’t see him unit October 30 so I was trying to look for answers/solutions

Good morning my son is 26 years old I took an appointment with Mayo Clinic for second opinion but they won’t see him unit October 30 so I was trying to look for answers/solutions