The angiogram went smoothly, and they even let me keep my pump. The nurses were fascinated with my CGM – most had never seen one before.
So the news is that my arteries are clear, and the chest pains are due to spasms, which I have had before, and which can be treated with medication. The walls were moving properly, and the ejection fraction was 67%, which is normal. The cardiologist said it was the best heart he’d ever seen in a 20-year diabetic. Boy, am I relieved!
I want to thank everyone who advised me to turn down the basal on my pump – it worked splendidly – lowest was 64, which really doesn’t bother me, and my highest was 127. Not a perfect flatline, but under those conditions, it’s as close as I think anyone’s going to get!
So now I have to wait until Monday to talk about medications, and I’m still having pains, but I can endure them knowing that they are just spasms, and since they go away quickly, are not doing any damage to my heart.
Oh, that’s wonderful news, Natalie! It sounds like the procedure and your blood sugar maintenance went smoothly. (my own cardiologist was fascinated by my pump and wanted to know if it went into a vein!).
But most of all I’m so glad it was just the spasms. I don’t know anything about that, but it sounds like it’s similar to my arrhythmia I’ve mentioned in that it can be uncomfortable and scary, but you know it’s not dangerous and you just deal with it. I hope it’s not to bad over the weekend and the cardiologist gets you started on helpful meds next week. YAY!!
That’s great news!! Thanks for the prompt update too, jeez, cardiac procedure in the morning and back at the posting by bedtime!! I’m also glad your pump plan worked for you and that 1) the results were good and 2) you taught a bunch of medical people something they can take with them?
I am really, really glad for you Natalie! I know it is a huge sigh of relief - been there, done that! I like to whip out the CGMS also - it is amazing how many of these medical people have never seen one. I would say that you had a perfect flatline considering the circumstances The stess factor always pushes me up even without cutting back on basal. I think my BS was in the 140s when they tested me the day of my heart cath. It was flagged as high but the cardiologist just said I would know more about that than he would.
That is such good news, Natalie. I’m so glad to hear that. We’ve all known that you’ve got a very good heart. It’s nice to have medical validation. Rock on, Sister!
