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Old 09-28-2012, 08:16 AM #11
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The only thing that has been done so far since the effusion was discovered was that I was briefly put on plaquenil. However, the rheumatologist has pulled me off of it for the time being because she is concerned that it is driving my white blood cell count down. Me, personally, I think it's more likely that whatever is going on autoimmune related is what's driving the white blood cell count down. At any rate, the only thing that has been done since the discovery of the effusion was the trial of plaquenil. So I guess it's been more of a wait and see approach.

As far as shortness of breath, I haven't noticed too much. I haven't noticed any more difficulty in taking my walks. What I have had lately is some chest pain around or near my heart that I think is something going on with the auto-inflammatory process. Perhaps it is the pericardial effusion I'm feeling.
this is really really confusing. I went to my cardiologist yesterday and he did another echocardiogram. He saw nothing of fluid mass around my heart. he cannot explain the result of the cat scan, though. What he told me was my heart is okay, except for the mitral valve prolapse, which I am aware of.

My shortness of breath is constant. But, not severe. Its tolerable.

I dont know which is accurate, the abdomen cat (where a part of my lower chest was captured) or the echocardiogram.

Please update me.
Thanks.
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Old 09-28-2012, 08:21 AM #12
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John had both pericardial and plural effusions. He was in a bad way at the time but they did not intervene until they were really bad. He was in the hospital at the time for treatment for aplastic anemia. They did have him on a diuretic though to help offload the fluid. Most resolve on their own as the patient's health improves.

When they did drain them, they checked the fluid for bacterial and viral infections but found none.
Thank you for your post.
My echocardiogram yesterday did not show the fluid mass.

The technician told me that, assuming I have fluid around the heart, I should not worry too much, what to worry if its a solid mass. Oh well, that was a consolation

I am glad that nothing bacterial was found in the fluid. I hate nasty bugs.
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Old 09-28-2012, 10:03 AM #13
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Frankly, I would go with the echo. It was done real time (read with you right there) and I'm sure you mentioned the fluid...so they would have looked/searched for it. The CT scan might have been misread, shadow, etc
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Old 09-28-2012, 12:56 PM #14
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I too think the echo is probably the one to go with. They used the echo to guide them during the procedure to drain the fluid from the heart. So it must be pretty accurate. Can't imagine sticking a needle into a moving part though.
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Old 10-01-2012, 01:56 PM #15
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en bloc and marlene: Thank you for your insights. I appreciate it.

My cardio assured me : "Your heart is okay."
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Old 10-01-2012, 02:17 PM #16
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I am also relieved for you, that it is nothing to worry about at this time!
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Old 10-02-2012, 08:56 AM #17
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I am also relieved for you, that it is nothing to worry about at this time!
Thank you Mrs.D. For once, a doctor gave me a passing mark I am kidding, but seriously, I am very grateful about this news. Its one problem out. Thank God.

My husband treated me for a nice dinner to celebrate the good news. I actually cried with gratefulness when the doctor told me. As you may know I have been experiencing health problem one after the other, so news like this is like a rain in the dessert.
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