Pericarditis

KirisMum · 01-05-2011, 01:30 PM

Kiri had an excruciating attack of breathlessness and chest pain while she was driving (in the middle of moving house) a few days after Christmas. She's been in and out of Dana Farber on a daily basis since, taking test after test (u/s, xrays, EKG, aortic MRI, bloodwork,echocardiagram, you name it) in order to rule out the more critical possibilities--pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection primarily. They are 80% sure (where do they get these statistics??) that it's pericarditis and are doing another echocardiagram and u/s today to try to confirm it. Kiri's la-la response to this is "it's common with cancer." No, it is not metastasis, and from what I can determine, it can be a side effect, albeit rare, of both taxol and lapatinib, which is the chemo combo she's on. I guess I just want more precise information, not her area of choice when it comes to cancer. ;-) Her onco says it could last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months, at least that's how my husband remembered his conversation with K yesterday. Has anyone else heard of this?

Sheila · 01-05-2011, 02:40 PM

I ended up with a large amt of fluid in the pericardial sac, wheich caused severe shortness of breath. I eventually had to have it drained via a pericardial window (not fun), No problems since. I had just come off TYkerb Herceptin and was on Herceptin Avastin when this occurred....they felt it was chemo related.

KirisMum · 01-05-2011, 02:41 PM

Were you in a lot of pain, Sheila? Kiri was in excruciating pain, and they've put her on morphine for it, as well as Motrin 800 mg around the clock.

mmoons · 01-05-2011, 02:57 PM

Hi there-

I have no words of advice but wanted to tell you how sorry I am that Kiri is having this pain, on top of everything else. I know it is hard on you to watch your sweet girl in pain.

Sending hugs!

Maureen

Sheila · 01-05-2011, 03:16 PM

I had pain, but most was shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in my chest. They did not give me any pain meds...I had several echos before they decided to drain in...the effusion just kept growing.

KirisMum · 01-05-2011, 03:19 PM

The degree of K's pain, and the tearing quality of it, made them think at first of aortic dissection--when they said that I nearly had a heart attack. But that's been pretty much ruled out, seeing as she's still apparently alive.

I've just read your "signature," Sheila, and am so glad the Halaven seems to be working well for you. You've certainly had your share of the roller coaster. I'll keep my fingers crossed and the prayers going for your continued positive response! Hang in there and BIG congratulations on the 8-year mark, the 9th is coming up fast!

sarah · 01-05-2011, 08:39 PM

I had it also and took ibuprofen which helped enormously. you can look it up under www.mayoclinic.com - that's where I found that ibuprofen would help. The cardiologist said he just see me in a month to see whether it was bigger or not! but I decided the pain was too much and thanks to this site and the Mayo site, I took the ibuprofen and it went away. Mine happened soon after I stopped Taxol but was still on Herceptin and Femara. I still have shortness of breath but that's due to a fibroid in my lung due to radiation. If it's ok for Kiri to take ibuprofen, I'd suggest she try that.
hugs and love sarah

ElaineM · 01-05-2011, 09:01 PM

I think Ibuprofen is Motrin. Motrin is a cox 2 inhibitor and that is a good thing.
I hope Kris feels better soon.

Jackie07 · 01-06-2011, 04:09 AM

http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/pericarditis

It does mention Ibuprofen as one of the medicine.

Mayo Clinic has very detailed info on pericarditis:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/per...ents-and-drugs

We'll be praying for her speedy recovery.

KirisMum · 01-06-2011, 04:29 AM

Thanks, Jackie and Sarah--that is a great resource. Yes, Kiri is on ibuprofen and she says it helps a lot - she's on it round the clock now. She is traveling (by herself, on a bus!) from Boston to New York today to go to a wedding tomorrow (in a snowstorm!)--I think she is nuts, but her onco has okayed it and she has nerves of steel. I am the one ready for the loony bin at this point. LOL.