I have a seronegative autoimmune disease that affects my joints, pericardium for 4 years, and kidneys for three years. I also have had Addison s disease for one year, and hypothyroid for one year. My pericardium is thickened and always painful. My doctors won t even discuss a pericardiectomy. I have been on narcotic pain medicine for 4 years, and I hate it. And I would rather die in surgery than to have another bout with Takotsubo syndrome, or have another cardioversion or heart cath with no time for a local anesthesia. All are horrifying. AS are my prospects, if this sac keeps rubbing my heart. (I am currently 1 month into the latest bout of pericarditis; the last bout lasted 2 full years.) My name is Jule, I am 48, and in rapidly failing health. What realistic options do I have?
July, You describe a difficult problem. Chronic pericardial disease treatment is not so cut an Chat Doctor.  This may often create the sense that your providers are uncertain as to what to do. In truth, treatment has to be individualized, finding the right combination for every individual. My experience has been that a combination of medications including colchicine and non-steroidal