Pericardial cysts and removal

[crazyornot]

I have a pericardial cyst. I have dyspnea. A ct was done and the cyst was discovered. After doing research, I discovered that a pericardial cyst can cause tachycardia, hypertension, dyspnea, pain, and palpitations. I have all of those problems and have had them for about 3-4 yrs. According to my dr.'s, they don't want to remove it because it's not large enough. So, how is it possible to know what size a cyst needs to be to cause the symptoms a person has? Why wouldn't a smaller cyst cause the problems I'm having? How can they know that it's not responsible? And who should I go to if I want to have it removed even if my Dr. wants to let it get larger than a grapefruit?

[Blondie523]

Hi.  I just had a pericardial cyst removed on Monday and was discharged today.  My heart surgeon told me that my cyst was the size of a grapefruit.  Surgery went well (better than I thought it would go).  If you have a pericardial cyst and it's large, definitely have it removed!

[popsicle121]

I was just told today that I have a Pericardial cyst and I just started radiation therapy for breast cancer.  I don't know what to do about radiation because my PCP and Radiation oncologist seem stumped as to what they should do.  Isn't that a scary thought?  It seems that in May of 09 I had a CT scan and it showed up on that scan, and no one bothered to tell me then , I had another on Jan. 2011 and I find out today that I have this cyst that has been growing.  I am frustrated and scared,  Can anyone tell me more about these types of cysts?

[i_dont_care_]

I am 14 and christmas is in 3 days and i just found out that i have a  pericardial cyst... i cant get into a doctor till the 6th of January and im terrified. i was wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect. the doctors told me i will have to have surgery and like i said im terrified. so if anyone can explain to me what exactly to expect and anything i should do to prepare or anything to be cautious of. this would be really helpful :(

[italianmama711]

Hi, I just read your post and I just want to tell you how sorry I am that you had such a stressful experience at the ER.  Three years ago I was diagnosed with two pericardial cysts (2 and 3 cm) found by accident on a calium scan when I was in the ER for a diverticulitus attack.  In February I went to the ER for chest pains and they ran many tests in the 20 hour period I was there and found nothing.  They never mentioned the cysts which I knew I had but had totally forgotten about because my cardiologist just blew it off 3 years ago saying they were probably there my whole life and I just didn't know about it.    Just last week I underwent a CT scan to see if they had grown and after 3 years they are now doubled at 5 and 6 cm each.  I have two cardiologists and both are going on vacation and can't be seen for two weeks but the kinder of the two said that I can either have them removed or wait until they get bigger and they HAVE to be removed.  I also still have that non-discript chest pain and a cough.  The cardiologist said that the arrythmia I have (which is contolled by a med called tikosyn) could have been started by the cysts.  He said that removal of the cysts, while invasive of course is not as big a surgery as, say, open heart surgery.  He also said they may be able to aspirate them but I have heard that they may come back with that.
Have you heard of the Cleaveland Clinic--a major cutting edge hosital for heart problems.  I may try to get a consult there.  Pericardial cysts are very rare so finding a doc who has had experience removing them may be a challenge but I'm certain they are out there.  I hope you will not stress yourself out with doctors who are insensive--just move on to another until you find someone who will help.  Meanwhile it doesn't seem like our cysts are extreemely life threatening at this time but I know the pain itself is stressfull as it is a constant reminder that something is wrong!

[tam871]

I have a pericardial cyst that is 5cm.   6 months ago it measured 4cm.  I went to the ER a few weeks ago because I feel pain and pressure in my chest and have a persistent cough.  The dumb ***** at the ER told me it has gotten bigger and just told me to see a cardiologist and sent me home.  So what do I do in the mean time?  I can't get in to my cardiologist for two months because they are booked.  I feel like someone is sitting on my chest and I am having trouble breathing, but send me home to fend for myself!  I just cannot believe the nerve of some of these idiot doctors!  They forget how precious life is!  If your name is doctor Simmons who works in an ER in Utah County, just **** off why don't you?  I have never been treated so bad before!  They all just think your "out to get pain pills" if you go to the doc because you are hurting!  That is the first thing that pops into their little minds, instead of wondering what is making the patient hurt!  But you can bet your *** that if that dip **** doctor had one of these cysts in their chest, no matter the size, they would have it removed immediately!  I have had other pretty serious health issues and I am so sick of dealing with the "no it all" doctors, you know the one's that talk down to you?   When you see a doctor, YOU are hiring THEM!  That should make YOU their BOSS!  So the next time I have to deal with one of those kind of doctors, I will FIRE them and I wont do it politely!  You think your so smart doctor??  Well guess what *******, I am a computer technician and I HAVE MORE BRAINS in my frontal lobe then you have in your whole ignorant brain!  ............And if your one of those GREAT doctors, Thank you so much!! To know your life is in good hands means so much!!!!!!!

[hollymlb]

I was recenctly diagnosed with a pericaridial cyst it measures around 6cm.  I had an echocartiagraph done thursday and go back thursday to discuss the next step.  The cyst was discovered after sever pain caused my regalur dr to order a cat scan thinking my gallbladder was the issue again.  I had a similair pain and a similiar test done in April of 2008.  In the previous Cat scan there was no cyst.  I have extreme shortness of breathe, nausua, loss of appattite, persisnant cough and just a general run down feeling.  All of which I attribbutted to other various possible things, and ignored.  I am 32 years old and quit smoking a little over 4 years ago.  And I honestly can say that if all this is because of the cyst I want it out as much as surgery scares me(woke up in middle of one as kid was a bit tramatic)