Pericarditis following pericardial effusion?

[Suzaan]

Hi,

I have been having fairly severe chest pains on my left side for the past three or four days. When I talk, they are worse. If I sneeze or yawn, they are muchworse --  quite sharp.

The chest pains emerged about two weeks after a pericentesis during which 400 cc of fluid was extracted. The pericardial effusion was detected  by accident following a virtual colonoscopy and was subsequently confirmed by an echocardiogram. That was about a month ago. Just before these pains started, I had a follow up echocardiogram and was told that some fluid had recurred, but not enough to be cause for alarm ... yet.

Although rrelatively asymptomatic until a few days before the procedure, I've been short of breath and feeling pressure in my chest ever since. But, as mentioned, in the past three days or so, the pain is much more pronounced, whether sitting, walking or lying down, and has moved to my left side Breathing hurts, and talking is painful. Yawning or sneezing hurts like anything.  My temperaqture is normally around 97.5;  over this period, it has fluctuated from 92.5 to 98.4.

For whatver it may be worth, since this began, both my legs, from ankle to shin, have been aching as well. I can't reach either my cardiologist or my internist. Any advice would be welcomed!

Thank you!

[mel4998]

Today, I went in for several tests, one of which was an ultrasound of my heart with echocardiogram with doppler.  While getting this test, the person performing the test asked me if I have had heart probs in the past.  In answer to his question, I told him of several years ago, about 20, I was told that I had pericarditis and nothing was done about it.  I was told not to worry about it.  I know that there is supposed to be some fluid in the pericardial sac, but the person told me that usually that small amount is not visible when they perform this test.  He proceeded to show me where there was fluid and he said it was quite a bit.  He also informed me that my heart was sitting at an unusual angle.  He then told me that if I were much older than I am (44) that he would say that I had Congestive Heart Failure.  Naturally, I am quite concerned.  I recently had a TIA, hence the reason for this test and others.  I know I have to wait to find out the results, but how much fluid in the pericardial sac is too much?  I went to a site and saw a pic that looked like it had the amount of fluid my sac had and it was in the same place as well.  Way back when they found the fluid around my heart, the doctors acknowledged that it was there and told me that they were not going to worry about it.  This was an Air Force doc in Weisbaden, Germany in 1988.  I have been having headaches, dizzy spells, loosing my balance, shortness of breath, wake up in the middle of the night and cannot breathe; am out of breath after walking just a short distance.  I am not overweight and up until now, I considered myself to be pretty active.  Heart attack runs in the family maternally and stroke paternally.  Should I be concerned about the pericarditis?  Could it have anything to do with the TIA?  Just curious.  Thank you.

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

To summarize, I think that youre telling me that one month ago, you had 400 cc of fluid removed from your pericardial cavity. Your discomfort has returned and youre feeling short of breath with pressure and pain. You need to go to the emergency department immediately, youre problem sounds as if it has occurred  thanks