Is this Pericarditis?

Hey, my friend has just found out that she has this....symptoms....severe chest pain that radiates to the back and left arm, it gets better when she sits upright, she is taking mild painkillers for it...what can she do to survive the weekend until Monday. She is to see the physician then...will she be okay??

vgvg12342010-11-14T19:13:56Z

Favorite Answer

Her symptoms sound very suspicious for pericarditis, especially since the pain changes with position. She can take anti-inflammatory drugs such aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to relieve her symptoms because the pain is caused by inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) would not be as effective in this situation.