Re: Have another medical question

November 26, 2003

Regina, I went and looked this up. It doesn't seem to have anything to

do with weight loss issues or weight loss surgery. Hope this information

helps.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

SRVG 7/16/01

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce

479/356/hoping for close to 200

Overview

A thin layer of specialized tissue called the pericardium covers the

outer surfaces of the heart. The pericardium helps to anchor the heart in

place, preventing excessive movement of the heart in the chest when body

position changes; protects the heart from infections and tumors that

develop in and may spread from adjacent tissues; and may help keep the

heart from enlarging. Inflammation of the tissues of the pericardium is

called pericarditis. There are many possible causes of pericarditis:

infection, kidney failure, metastatic disease, some medications, and

radiation therapy. Pericarditis frequently causes a characteristic chest

pain that usually compels one to seek medical attention.

Causes

There are many possible cause of pericarditis, some more common than

others. Young, otherwise healthy persons who develop pericarditis often

have had a recent viral infection. In other young healthy persons with

pericarditis, no clear cause is ever determined. A case without clear

cause is called idiopathic pericarditis.

Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction (heart attack)

sometimes develop pericarditis over subsequent days or weeks. Kidney

failure caused by the buildup of certain toxins in the body can lead to

pericarditis. Cells from tumors located in other parts of the body

occasionally metastasize (spread) to the pericardium, leading to

irritation and inflammation. Radiation therapy (e.g., to treat cancer)

can cause pericarditis also. Tuberculosis was a relatively common cause

of pericarditis in the past but is now rarely found. Pericarditis can

develop in patients with diseases in which the immune system becomes

pathologically overactive, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Finally, some medications trigger an immune response that causes

pericarditis, such as the antituberculosis medicine isoniazid

(Nydrazid®), the blood pressure and heart failure medicine hydralazine

(Apresoline®), the antibiotic penicillin, the antiarrhythmic agent

procainamide (Procanbid®, Pronestyl®), and the seizure medication

phenytoin (Dilantin®).

Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. The pain is

predominantly felt below the breastbone (sternum) and/or below the ribs

on the left side of the chest and, occasionally, in the upper back or

neck. Breathing causes the lungs and heart to move in the chest and rub

against the irritated pericardium, worsening the pain. Pain may worsen

when patients lie down and may improve when they sit up and lean forward.

Changes in position can increase or decrease pressure on and irritation

of the inflamed pericardium.

Several things that cause pericarditis also cause fluid to accumulate

between the pericardium and the heart (pericardial effusion). If enough

fluid builds up quickly in this space, it can " compress " the heart's

chambers. Through some fairly complex mechanisms, this sometimes leads to

shortness of breath (dyspnea). The development of dyspnea is a matter of

concern because it may indicate that the amount of fluid is reaching a

critical point and requires urgent medical treatment.

While pericarditis itself is usually not a life-threatening condition,

there are life-threatening conditions that cause chest pain, including

heart attack (myocardial infarction), dissection ( " tearing " ) of the aorta

(the body's main artery that runs through the chest and abdomen),

pulmonary embolus (blood clot lodged in the lung), a collapsed lung, and

perforation or rupture of parts of the digestive tract (e.g., the

esophagus, stomach). It is critical for anyone who experiences chest pain

to seek immediate medical attention to determine the cause and receive

prompt, appropriate care.

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:36:40 -0500 Regina Block

writes:

> Has anyone been diagnosed with pericarditis since wls? I've had it

> three

> times since wls, the first time almost three years ago, then again

> about

> two months ago and again this week. Tim had to call an ambulance for

> me

> at 2:00 in the morning. The chest pain was so excruciating, we both

> thought I was having a heart attack. Was in the ER all night on

> morphine. Docs wanted to admit me but my cardiologist is not

> affiliated

> with this hospital and I really wanted to go home and be seen by my

> doctor. Went to see him a few hours later and had an echocardiogram

> done

> which definitively showed pericarditis. Am now on painkillers and

> was

> ordered to rest. Doing the best I can in that department.

>

> Everytime I get sick, someone always blames the wls for my medical

> problems and I know one has nothing to do with the other, but just

> curious if anyone has developed things post wls. Prior to wls I

> never

> had a problem with my heart. Now have SVT and have been medicated

> for

> this for three years now. Just trying to get a grasp on things.

> Feeling

> very defeated right now.

>

> Thanks

>

> Regina

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

November 26, 2003

Regina, I have a very good friend who has had this once since WLS. I think

it is a coincidence. She recovered just fine. Has had other health issues,

but not Pericarditis again.

Debbie &

in Gig Harbor

(170cm medial)

ladybostons@...

http://www.cafeshops.com/copsstore

http://www.marykay.com/debbiemcneice

-----Original Message-----

From: Regina Block

Has anyone been diagnosed with pericarditis since wls?

Thanks

Regina

November 27, 2003

Thanks Debbie, I know that this isn't related to wls. I just didn't express

myself correctly last night while on Vicodin. What I was trying to ask was has

anyone been plaqued with one thing after another healthwise, disregarding

things that are known to be directly related to the wls like iron deficiency

anemia, which I also got hit with despite the fact that I was taking 300 mg of

iron a day, the teeth thing, etc. I had no blood pressure problems prior to

wls, now its incredibly low to the point that I pass out on a regular basis.

Have heart arrhythmia known as SVT that I am now medicated for and a host of

other things including now the third bout of pericarditis. I have had 17 cases

of tonsillitis over the past two years. Never had a sore throat in my life. I

know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm not. If I had to make the choice

of having this surgery again, I would do it in a heartbeat. It just seems like

I no sooner get over one thing, than I'm slammed with another. Coincidence?

Bad luck? Being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Possibly need a trip to

Tahitti for some west and wewaxation. : )

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Going to be at the in-laws today.

God help us all. LOL

Regina

Debbie McNeice wrote:

> Regina, I have a very good friend who has had this once since WLS. I think

> it is a coincidence. She recovered just fine. Has had other health issues,

> but not Pericarditis again.

>

> Debbie &

> in Gig Harbor

> (170cm medial)

> ladybostons@...

> http://www.cafeshops.com/copsstore

> http://www.marykay.com/debbiemcneice

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Regina Block

>

> Has anyone been diagnosed with pericarditis since wls?

>

> Thanks

>

> Regina

November 27, 2003

I'd chalk up iron, teeth & low BP to surgery.

The other stuff you see at school and want to test drive yourself. I'm

convinced of it. Strange things happen to you, nodoubnt.

My BP is low, too. One of the meds that helps Raynaud's is BP med. I

already refused them once, but they caught me with a new name and I didn't

recognize it. Walgreen's called me to ask which ins I wanted to use and

said, " Your BP meds will be ready at...... " My WHAT?

I'd be joining you in the ranks of the Weird had I picked up that med!

Thanks,

Vitalady, Inc. T

www.vitalady.com

If you are interested in PayPal, please click here:

https://www.paypal.com/affil/pal=orders%40vitalady.com

Re: Have another medical question

> Thanks Debbie, I know that this isn't related to wls. I just didn't

express

> myself correctly last night while on Vicodin. What I was trying to ask was

has

> anyone been plaqued with one thing after another healthwise, disregarding

> things that are known to be directly related to the wls like iron

deficiency

> anemia, which I also got hit with despite the fact that I was taking 300

mg of

> iron a day, the teeth thing, etc. I had no blood pressure problems prior

to

> wls, now its incredibly low to the point that I pass out on a regular

basis.

> Have heart arrhythmia known as SVT that I am now medicated for and a host

of

> other things including now the third bout of pericarditis. I have had 17

cases

> of tonsillitis over the past two years. Never had a sore throat in my

life. I

> know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm not. If I had to make the

choice

> of having this surgery again, I would do it in a heartbeat. It just seems

like

> I no sooner get over one thing, than I'm slammed with another.

Coincidence?

> Bad luck? Being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Possibly need a trip

to

> Tahitti for some west and wewaxation. : )

>

> Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Going to be at the in-laws

today.

> God help us all. LOL

>

> Regina

>

> Debbie McNeice wrote:

>

> > Regina, I have a very good friend who has had this once since WLS. I

think

> > it is a coincidence. She recovered just fine. Has had other health

issues,

> > but not Pericarditis again.

> >

> > Debbie &

> > in Gig Harbor

> > (170cm medial)

> > ladybostons@...

> > http://www.cafeshops.com/copsstore

> > http://www.marykay.com/debbiemcneice

> >

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: Regina Block

> >

> > Has anyone been diagnosed with pericarditis since wls?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

> > Regina

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

November 27, 2003

Regina,

I'm thinking that we need to buy stuck in bubble wrap!! My goodness sis ......

some times it seems as though it just never ends, huh.

But here's my 2¢ on the subject of illnesses and WLS. I think it all boils down

to the fact that we are finally taking care of ourselves. As MO folks we never

went to the doctors. We didn't want to get the " you know, if you lost 100, 200,

300 lbs you wouldn't have this, that or the other " so we blew off all our aches

and pains. We ignored all our ailments unless we were out cold on the floor.

At least I did! My sister feels that I doctor too much now. Maybe that I'm a

bit of a hypochondriac. I don't think so at all. I think that life is so

precious to me now that I want to be sure that I'm around to live it. (Even

make sure that DH stays healthy too!) So as a result I pay attention to my

labs, pay attention to things that don't " feel " right. I'm in contact with my

doctors and if I need to make a list when I see them I do. I am important to me

first, then my family. I've learned many valuable lessons these past 5 years.

Many things I still need to get pounded into my head but my health is one thing

I don't take lightly.

I am so very, very sorry you have been having the year from hell Regina. But I

am glad that you are taking care of yourself and that you have a strong network

of family, friends and physicians. I just wonder how it would be, what would

happen if you didn't have WLS and had these health problems. Would you even be

here?

One more thing. I'm one of many who took phenfen and as a result must take

antibiotics before any invasive procedures or I can get pericarditis. Just

wondering if you have a history of that. I carry a card in my wallet about my

leaky heart valves. Maybe this is a precaution (I know, one of many) that you

will need to take in the future.

Sending you many gentle huggzz,

Sue