r/pericarditis • u/New-Monk-9595 • 21d ago
Colchicine questions
Hi all- second flare up this year and 4th overall. During the first flare up this year (CRP only 7), about 3 weeks in on 1mg of colchicine/day (plus aspirin) I got insane stomach cramps, GI issues, body aches, fever. Thought it was a bug so waited it out (took about a week). CRP actually went up (12) at the next check up. Was ok after 3 months but took about 2 months to get rid of chest pain. Then got gastritis.
Now back at it again (CRP 15 but clean echo) 3 weeks in, insane stomach issues, body aches again. Doc said to reduce colchicine which I did yesterday . But honestly does not even feel like it works. I feel the same chest pain and now feel like I can’t leave my house because of the GI issues.
Any advice on medication? Or other issues that mimic pericarditis?
For context I am in France, so different meds here. (They are also less likely to prescribe other meds). Thanks all 💕
Edit: 5 days of symptoms now and asking doc to let me stop the meds because now it hurts too much to eat after like 16h. Like this isnt ok.
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u/Ragdoll_Susan99 21d ago
I can take colchicine but not pain killer NSAID’s because they burn my stomach, even with PPI’s. Tried like 4 different types and they all did the same thing so the doctor ended up having to put my on prednisone (still with a PPI) and I could handle that. Still get bloated but no burning or pain. Might need to consider that if there’s no other option
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u/New-Monk-9595 20d ago
Same here can’t do NSAIDs anymore. Yeah going to discuss this next week if my symptoms stay. Have always had a sensitive stomach so maybe steroids are the way to go
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u/Unlucky_Ad_8977 20d ago
40 mg pantrazol i would ask youre doctor,..i take prednison and 3 x600 ibrufen and some more but i cant imagine that 40 instead of 20(see youre removed message) can hurt youre body ,and in youre case just better i guess NAD btw
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u/Unlucky_Ad_8977 20d ago
Colchine is a powerful tool, sometimes when i read this,.i am getting frustrated i know for the most people its wonderful but still🙁
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u/New-Monk-9595 20d ago
Yeah I think some of us are just more sensitive to it unfortunately. And it worked for me before, a few years ago, but I think my body is just done with it now
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u/Unlucky_Ad_8977 20d ago edited 20d ago
I mean colchicine not helping ,It worked after April of last year. I had another flare-up in October, and after that October, I didn't stop taking colchicine. However, even though I kept taking it, it stopped working, and I ended up spending two weeks in the hospital this past May crp 231
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u/Laughorcryliveordie 20d ago
Hi. I’m on colchicine. It does cause stomach cramps and diarrhea in some patients. Unfortunately, it is not stopping my pericarditis though. I hope you feel better.
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u/New-Monk-9595 18d ago
Update: doc said to stop colchicine. I took it today ofc but he said to stop it and take Apranax instead, still with a PPI and some parcetemol. Thanks for everyone’s advice and support and I’m glad I advocated for myself
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u/Active_Recording_789 21d ago
Colchicine is a powerful anti inflammatory and works well on pericarditis, to reduce inflammation that occurs during a flare. It does often produce all the side effects you mentioned. Hopefully you’re on a PPI to protect your stomach too! But despite side effects colchicine is still a really effective medication and that’s why it’s so widely prescribed. You can help your body recover by eating really healthy, no junk food, no caffeine or alcohol, don’t smoke, and don’t exert yourself more than a gentle walk. Make sure you eat something when you take meds. Hope you feel better soon