Pericarditis Support Group

Hi, well my pain level just spiked again!! visit to dr.s, xrays, ekg, and now they think i have bit of pnuemonia in right lung! is this common with pericarditis? Also they think my stomach is very inflammed from all the anti inflams. Gave em some oxycodone for the pain, since its is unbearalbe right now.

Anyone else had pnuemonia with this? Nothing showed on the ekg, so not sure if they think its more pnuemonia causing the pain? I am so confused and frustrated with this. I know it was only the echo that showed the effusion before. I guess though i must not have a larger effusion or it would have shown on the xray, right?

Hope someone can help?

elaine

Hi,

I'm not sure if pneumonia is common, but I did have pleural effusions when I had the pericardial effusions. As far as the xray goes...when I was initially in the hospital, the xray only showed an enlarged heart. They had to do an echo to see the effusion. And that was with a 400 mL effusion! So no, xrays don't really show effusions. You need an echo for that. I wonder if you have a pleural (around the lungs) effusion? It makes the chest pain worse too. Ugh. So frustrating. Hang in there and get some rest!

Hazeldee

I have to agree with hazeldee my effusions didnt show up on the xrays, but only on the echos and perhaps you have a pleural effusion with it. I do hope things get better, hang in there x

Thanks . I am wondering if what the dr saw on the xray wasn't showing pleural effusion instead of it being pneumonia I seem to have pain between the shoulder blades now. Have to get back into a new cardiologist. Whew this is a long haul !!!!

Elaine

another visit to dr.s on weekend, not pnuemonia radiologist says, so maybe it is an effusion, got into hospital for echo tomorrow, and i am pushing to see a cardiologist, cant wait for referral.....dr. wants me to go on indomethacin 50 mg 3xs a day, i dont know if i should start it or wait for specialist????? anyone on it? when i was put on prednisone, the pain was worse..... so i am afraid to try anything new?????

Its another non steroid anti imflamatory drug (NSAID), used for gout. I think it may be worth a try. Prednisone is a steroid, so a different catagory.Are you still trying to work? The echo will show an effusion if there and perhaps they ll fast tract you to see a cardiologist then.

I hoping for just that, echo on Thursday.

Good luck