Friday, December 29, 2006

Diagnosis: Myocarditis

from Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Myocarditis is an uncommon disorder that is usually caused by viral infections such as coxsackie virus, adenovirus, and echovirus. It may also occur during or after various viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections (such as polio, influenza, or rubella).

The condition may also be caused by exposure to chemicals or allergic reactions to certain medications and it can be associated with autoimmune diseases.

The heart muscle becomes inflamed and weakened. This causes symptoms of heart failure.

Symptoms

  • History of preceding viral illness
  • Fever
  • Chest pain that may resemble a heart attack
  • Joint pain or swelling
  • Abnormal heart beats
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Leg swelling
  • Inability to lie flat

Total absence of symptoms is common

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

  • Fainting, often related to arrhythmias
  • Low urine output
  • Other symptoms consistent with a viral infection -- headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, sore throat, rashes

I have an MRI scheduled for the 10th which should be fun since it's non-invasive and doesn’t require me to do anything but just lay there.

They put me on beta-blockers to help repair any damage caused due the inflammation and the first one they tried caused the full body hives.

FULL BODY HIVES

They are finally going away but slowly. I'm feeling a little like Job right about now.

Happy New Year!!

4 comments:

Jas said...

Well hives would mean that you can have the K-Gurrrl apply soothing balm all over you.
;)


Please to be telling your fellow family members which drug you were given, as we may all have a similar familial reaction.

Hope you feel better soon.

Is this an open MRI or one of the old school, full enclosure ones?

John Cowart said...

Damn! Eric, that is really tough.
I hope you come out the other side as well as Job did.

PJ said...

Eric...man...take it easy!! That s*** is nothing to fool around with. Get well, and to hell with the rest of it.

The Alaskan One said...

Hey, it's cousin Jane from Juneau. Glad to see you're feeling a bit better. Figured I'd comment on the MRI thing.

They're cruel and unusual punishment. :) I had one for a wrist problem, and I think they went looking for the most uncomfortable position they could, just so they'd have to redo it every time I moved. Hopefully yours will be easier.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and get well soon!

Jane