I recently had a CT and an echo done of my heart and the only issue was pericardial effusion. My rheumatologist wants me to see a heart doctor - I don't know if that is necessary as the pericardial effusion is the only problem right now.
Does anyone else see a heart doctor for this problem?
I do not see a cardiologist but I think it would be a good ideal to see some one now and have a doctor that knows you and your history than to wait till later when there are more problems. maybe he/she will be able to tell help you how to avoid problems in the future.
A pericardial effusion is a BIG problem and you should be under a cardiologist supervision as requested by your rheumy
He asked you to see a heart Dr. because he feels he is not qualified to treat pericardial effusion. It`s so frustrating isn`t it. So many specialists and doctor bills. If it were me, I would do some research to see if it might go away on its own or if it could cause more complications, then decide if I would go to an expensive specialist or not. My effusion has gone away itself sometimes, but other times I needed treatment or medicine. An internist might be able to help and might cost less if money is the issue. I like working with an internist who can treat every organ, rather than a different specialist for every organ.
I have had pericarditis in the past and Drs gave me the run around. Cardiologist told me it was not a cardiac problem? Then rheumy said I need a cardiologist etc. I was so sick and out of breath and they never took it serious. I hope you get a good DR. Keep us informed!
Alley
Ann A. said:
Pericarditis and pericardial effusions are serious business. The only person qualified to determine how serious is a cardiologist. It is time to see the specialist and to document the care.
What caused your effusion? What type of effusion is it? Is it compromising heart function? Causing tamponade?
I am hurting just thinking about it.
Best of Luck
Skitch, if it's causing pain or weakness or being out of breath, I wonder if the E.R. would treat it right quick.
Skitch,
If your doctor suggests that you see a specialist he feels you need to see a specialist. Sometimes we think we know better, but I would rather see the specialist once and get a good nights sleep than not see him and worry or worse yet have a devastating heart attack.
The choice is yours, but I think better safe than sorry.
Good health,
DeAnne
You should not take this so lightly. I almost dies last fall from this condition. I just thought I was having shortness of breath because of being overweight and being a past smoker. By the time I went to my general doctor, after calling about my condition, she had me come right to the office. After a chest x-ray, she told me that it was the biggest one the doctor who read it ever saw. It had tamponade (which means the sac was so full, it was preventing my heart to perform correctly. I went right into ICU until they could drain the fluid off. After a chest tube was inserted the fluid drained (and 5 days in the hospital) I was sent home and was told it should not happen again (I had not be told about lupus at this point). Well 3 weeks later it happened again. This time after draining the fluid, they also cut a "window" in the sac which will let the fluid run out of the sac instead of building up. After that (4 or 5 weeks later) the fluid built up in the lining of my lung and had to be removed again by chest tube. Then they thought I might have lupus and then my care went in that direction. By the way, a chest tube is painful (after the procedure), especially multiple ones such as I had to go through. They told me the reason I still have sore side of my torso and when deep breathing is because the tube has to go through your muscles and it could take a while before I have no pain. My doctors told me I was lucky to have gone to my doctor when I first did because I could have died. Sorry so long, but I wanted to et you know how serious this condition be. Good luck and please go to the heart doctor. Keep up posted.
Lonely and sick, You sound similar to what happened to me but I did not have tamponade. Mine went on for about 6 months before someone treated me because first they saw it then they didn't and they didn't hear a rub or see it on x ray. Finally when I got treated with prednisone and then high doses of motrin for months did I start feeling better. I was tested for Lupus and never checked positive, still don't but my rheumy started me on plaquenil because I still keep getting shortness of breath and heaviness in my chest. What helped you to get over pericarditis and pluerisi? do you take meds for it to keep it at bay?
Thanks, alley
lonely and sick said:
You should not take this so lightly. I almost dies last fall from this condition. I just thought I was having shortness of breath because of being overweight and being a past smoker. By the time I went to my general doctor, after calling about my condition, she had me come right to the office. After a chest x-ray, she told me that it was the biggest one the doctor who read it ever saw. It had tamponade (which means the sac was so full, it was preventing my heart to perform correctly. I went right into ICU until they could drain the fluid off. After a chest tube was inserted the fluid drained (and 5 days in the hospital) I was sent home and was told it should not happen again (I had not be told about lupus at this point). Well 3 weeks later it happened again. This time after draining the fluid, they also cut a "window" in the sac which will let the fluid run out of the sac instead of building up. After that (4 or 5 weeks later) the fluid built up in the lining of my lung and had to be removed again by chest tube. Then they thought I might have lupus and then my care went in that direction. By the way, a chest tube is painful (after the procedure), especially multiple ones such as I had to go through. They told me the reason I still have sore side of my torso and when deep breathing is because the tube has to go through your muscles and it could take a while before I have no pain. My doctors told me I was lucky to have gone to my doctor when I first did because I could have died. Sorry so long, but I wanted to et you know how serious this condition be. Good luck and please go to the heart doctor. Keep up posted.
Yes, I am on the same drug you are on and several more while they try to get everything in check. It seems like I am always taking pills (I also have other health issues). I also take a steroid which they are again trying to ween me off from. I hope so because I have gained so much weight and now have the moon face. Good luck with your health, ally.
Keep us posted.
I agree with everyone who suggested seeing the cardiologist. This can be very serious and requires urgent assessment. PS... I am an RN with some cardiology background.
please put what area of country you are looking for heart doctor. lupus can affect all major organs of one's body but it may not be the reason. We still get sick like other 'healthy' people who have heart issues or other health problems.
It takes a while to get over worrying if every time one is sick is it caused by your chronic disease but eventually you will get to understand in's and outs...makes for lot less stress.
Also though, as your rheum (leave a message) asking it this has to do with your lupus or not so you can know...he might not yet know so prepare for that answer too.
I hope someone online here can help you find decent doctor ....or notify local lupus support group , ask your rheum or primary doctor, one you really like who is decent doctor in your area.
I have left ventricular hypertrophy, so I had to get a cardiologist involved. Anyone in the inland empire area of Southern CA that is looking for one, there are 2 excellent cardiologist with Beaver Medical Group (affiliated with Loma Linda) that are brothers. Last name is Marais (pronounced muh-RAY), first name on mine is Gary. I don’t remember his brother’s name. Gary is in Redlands, and his brother practices in the Banning/Beaumont area. They came highly recommended to me by my medical terminology instructor, and have an outstanding reputation. People wait months and drive distances if necessary to get in with them. I wouldn’t have anyone else. He’s my favorite of all my Drs.