Help!! Anyone familiar with Pericardial Effusion? (fluid around the heart)

[Carol-D]

I need some input...please!  I went to the hospital with pain in my chest and it was pericardial effusion.  Then about a month later (on Monday), I went back with lesser symptoms, but my heart was racing, blood pressure high.  I think it was partially anxiety the second time.  But now the cardiologist has put me on an anti-inflammatory that is giving me the most awful side effects.  He says it's due to Sjogren's.  It's to keep the inflammation down and prevent fluid from building up again.  BUT I am hoping the first episode was just due to an infection.  I can't find anywhere on the internet that this is common with Primary Sjogren's.  I don't want to take this awful stuff.  Does anyone have any experience with this or any other info? Thanks...I'm about to get off of the meds and take my chances!  Ok, ok, I'll call the doctor first.  Thanks in advance, Everyone.  Carol

[Linda196]

Carol, the second most common cause of pericardial effusion (after infection) is inflammatory disorders. Often the first suspect is Lupus, but any inflammatory disease can have PE as a side effect. If your BP was up, that was more likely the stress, because PE usually causes a drop in BP

If you can't tolerate the antiinflammatory he ordered, there are a number of them available, maybe another one would be better for you. If the antiinflammatories don't help, possibly steroids are indicated. In difficult to treat cases, or cases that recur after seeming to be settled, sometimes the fluid can be withdrawn with a needle and checked for infection or markers of disease.

Please don't "take your chances" because if untreated, PE can cause some serious effects.

[Carol-D]

Thanks, Linda....I will call him today and see if I can't try something else.  That stuff,  Colchicene, is rough.  I was up in the middle of the night taking Malox for a dose that I took early yesterday morning.  Thanks again....Carol

[Linda196]

Cholchicine is a very very potent antiinflammatory agent, usually reserved for gout, and has numerous side effects. Most doctors follow the credo of avoiding more serious toxicity by discontinuing the drug when these symptoms (Vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea appear), regardless of whether or not pain has been relieved.

Drugs like Mobic, Celebrex, and even humble ibuprophen have been effective against pericardial inflammation causing effusion, and you could ask him about them. As I mentioned before, sometimes a short course of steroid is required, and if the effusion reappears a third time, it might be time for more involved investigation as to the underlying cause.

[Carol-D]

Hi Linda....Thanks so much for taking the time to write.  I called and the doctor told me to get off of it.  Since I was having to go through the nurse to communicate with him, I couldn't ask what I should do instead.  I think I'll just wait it out and hopefully it was a one time thing, due to an infection.  And YES that colchicine is very potent  no thanks to taking that again.  Carol