Good to hear from you, but sorry you’re struggling. I’m hoping you turn the corner soon. Keeping you in my prayers.
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Thank you Tom. And to everybody else, I truly appreciate your well wishes. It means the world to me that you all care so much.
Yesterday my husband got me out of the house for the first time, despite the difficulty…he lured me out by offering to treat me to a “spa” day at the nail salon. It was a challenge sitting upright for so long, but i got a mani/pedi, legs waxed, and 1 hour massage. I may b sick, but i look devine 
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@daisymae Let’s see… Hubbie recommended and “treated” you, mani/pedi, waxed (legs anyway!), “look Devine”…me thinks there may be a ulterior motive here…. 
Sounds like a good time and getting up and moving around a “little” sounds like a good thing with pneumonia, vice laying down, but let the doctor rule on that one!
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I think that the inhaler has some sort of NSAI. vs Oxygen bc it definately does NOT have oxygen. But there is something in there. Its still not helping though. SO whatever it is, it doesnt seem to matter. And, I guess that whatever is in there cant do much harm so i just follow docxtors orders until i speak with him later this week with a TeleVisit. ( I do dread speaking with him bc he has absoolutely no bedside manner and is rather arrogant…but he came VERY highly recommended and has also been my fathers pulmanologist for years now…I think thats the only reason that they were able to make an opening in their very congested and busy schedule for me. Every other pulmonologist in the City couldnt see me for months down the road…like not until Christmas time) 
PS: all of these doctors are booked solid for months down the road. All they c an say is to “go to the ER.” What a load of crap. I’ve already been to the ER 3 times now, and the most any of them have done is send me home with Drisdan Nasal Spray. Like thats going to help my pneumonia! Idiots.
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Oh, I concur, I always dread meeting with Drs when they behave this way, and this trait is not uncommon! I’m sorry you are going through this. Wow, not being unavailable 'til December is incredible, but I know this to be common from my own experience. Maybe you can try a different healthcare system. I was able to get into Columbia Presbyterian for an eye emergency pretty quickly but I was already in their system which might make a difference. More recently I used outpatient clinic CityMD for a broken wrist. They examined me then made an appt for a surgeon the following Monday. Im not sure if that would be possible for your much more critical issue. I think they have locations throughout the city though. They might be able to get you into another pulmanologist more quickly, and it might be good to get another opinion. But, I am hoping the inhaler will start to help and you get on the road to recovery!
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@daisymae, I just want to send you all my best, prayers and hugs for a swift recovery. We want to keep you in good spirits and encourage your exceptional and inspirational strength while you recover, just as you have encouraged and inspired us all here on FUD with your postings and sincere care for fellow members.
I’m looking forward to our next meetup in person!!
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HEART DISEASE; EXPERIMENT #1:
I was lucky that i went to the hospital ER when i did last week. I did NOT have pneumonia at all, but i had severe diabetes related heart disease. The main arteries of my heart were 80% clogged with plaques. The doctors told me that had i waited another week or two, i would have certainly suffered a severe heart attack and/or stroke. This was the source of my breathing difficulties.
I underwent heart surgery. They originally believed that they would perform open heart surgery, but fortunately they were able to go through my arteries. Despite being on Morphine and Fentenal, it was absolutely excruciating. I was in and out of consciousness throughout the surgery. It took 2 and a half hours, then 4 hours in recovery, then back to my hospital room. I am back home now resting and recovering. Glad that it is all behind me, however i will have to take a slew of new medications and see a cardiologist regularly.
I am feeling really blue and frustrated bc i try so hard to take such excellent care of my health, and still i have so many of the consequences of living with long term diabetes. But, to b fare, my A1c was still 5.2% (!!!) (Not that that feels like much of an accomplishment at the moment.)
I will not b able to get back into the pool for about the next 2 - 4 weeks. Everything will depend on how i am breathing, feeling, and what the cardiologist has to say about it. Total bummer.
One thing that is keeping me cheery though is that i will not have to give up my Precious Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches and fries 
Thank you to everyone who has taken this rocky road with me for all of your prayers and support.
Also, there felt like nothing better than getting home and taking a nice hot cleansing shower and washing the hospital stink off my body. And once again, i must put a pulg in for my amazing husband Bobby who was with me by my side EVERY step of the way. He is my loving angel, and my gratitude for that extends beyond words.
And PS: Thank you to my G7 Dexcom. it was a true life-saver. I had many highs and lows and without exaggeration i dropped to 31 and was given dextrose through one of my IVs, and within seconds my BG skyrocketed to 317!! I am so hypo unaware, and that G7 saved my life.
siging out,
DM
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Sad that you had to go through this @daisymae but happy that you are on the mend. 
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@daisymae Very sorry you went thru all that, but very glad you sorted out the “pneumonia” and that you caught the actual problem when you did. Very easy to understand the “breathing” difficulty actually being heart related, will tuck that away for later use (I’m a sucker for the “trivia” that doesn’t seem to matter right now!).
The frustration is understandable, just don’t let it turn in to depression! Bobby can help you watch for that, eh?
Take care, recover quickly, the pool can wait a while…
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So sorry to hear this. Glad you’re getting treatment.
Wondering if you were taking statins, which I have been on for many years, as a preventive measure for heart health??
Heart attacks also run in my family.
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DM, thank goodness ER recognized the cause of your breathing difficulty. So traumatic, and shocking. I’m glad that you are on the mend now and with Bobby’s care, you’ll be well supported and be on your feet and in the pool soon. Sending you hugs and prayers for your swift recovery. 
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I’m sorry to hear, but so glad they caught it when they did. Hang in there.
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DM, dammit I am so sorry to hear this. Of course I am very glad that you got all of this figured out and cleared in time, but you do not deserve this and I’m just very sad that it’s been loaded onto your plate. You have every right to feel grateful and disheartened and angry and sad and everything in between. Is there anything that you could use right now to get you through this recovery time? I am sending so many good wishes and healing thoughts your way. xoxo
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DM, I know this is a very difficult thing to have to deal with right now. And it will take a lot of time.
Keep thinking about how eventually you will be feeling much better than you did, even before you started to feel the problems. Your heart will be able to pump so much more blood than it was. With enough time and rest, you will feel wonderful. Everything will be easier. Especially swimming. Keep your focus on that.
We are always with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
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Interesting enough, i was put on statins. The surgeon said that i should have been on them long before this heart disease started. I am adopted so i have no biological familial health info. sadly and unfortunately nothing to compare my physical health to. But i really did find it interesting that the doctor was so “pro Statin” for anyone living with diabetes.
would like to put the suggestion out there that people living with diabetes see a cardiologist regularly and begin a statin treatment if needed or simply as a profelactic measure. It could save your life. I will have to be on the statin daily for the rest of my life. (bought a new and improved medical tray last night on Amazon. The one ive been using for years is too over-loaded and now i must accomodate 4 more pills a day, one of which is taken twice a day. ( which statin are you taking? Just curious)
But, in all fairness, I did treat myself to a over-priced and fancy medical bag to hold all of my meds in (a LOT) so that i would feel better about taking everything. It makes the entire experience much much better
DM
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Just everyones support on FUD is carrying me through this, and i TRULY appreciate your validation of my roller coaster of emotions. The last thing i expected was a dx of heart disease at only 59 years old. But in all fairness, i have been T1 for many many years. This is just another thing to put on my plates (gastropareses, neuropathy in both feet, lower right leg, upper thigh, and both hands). Just goes to show you you can eat McDonalds and not even blink an eye without practicing good health.) Thanks Jessica!
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AS always Eric, you are a gem in my heart (no pun intended) 
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Hi @daisymae , so sorry that you’re going through this. It sounds excruciating.
Re: statins, I started one last year. I began having slightly high LDL when I hit 48. It doesn’t seem to respond to dietary changes so my cardiologist put me on 10mg of rosuvastatin. I seem to tolerate it decently and it’s brought my numbers in line. I also dislike taking yet another med but it seems worth it at the moment–I don’t know a lot of my family history, so I’m a little more aggressive about prophylactic measures.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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I’ve been on pravastatin for probably 20 years. I know some people have side effects, but I’ve never had an issue. My dad had a massive heart attack and died young, so made sense for me to be on something that will hopefully help prevent.
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Simvastatin, since it is on my drug plan. First started with Zocor “brand”, later switched when generics were on formulary. Was first rx’d by endo. Never saw a cardiologist.
Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor among others, is a statin, a type of lipid-lowering medication. It is used along with exercise, diet, and weight loss to decrease elevated lipid levels. It is also used to decrease the risk of heart problems in those at high risk.
T1D 58 years.
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